Deep in space, orbiting the planet of Helion III, was the black ship known as the Gothic Class Battleship Scourge of Demons. A nightmarish ship filled with the deadliest agents of the Ordo Malleus and in the holding cells were the captured bodies of those that used demons for their own gain and risk the destruction of The Emperor. On board the Scourge of Demons were also the Grey Knights, the Ordo Malleus’ very own chamber militant and the only Space Marine Chapter that have full knowledge of the dark secrets of chaos.

            Standing at the observation of the Scourge stood Inquisitor Kai. One of the finest Inquisitors in the service of the Emperor who made his name after vanquishing the Nurgle Demon Prince De-Achek from the industrial planet of Istvaan I and wiping out all remaining cults on the planet before moving on to aid Space Marine forces in another part of the galaxy. Kai was still young compared to other Inquisitors of his rank, being only seventy three and he still looked young. His hair was long and black while his skin was tanned and covered with a red leather trench coat that encased his power armour. A blessed bolter was holstered at his waist and a finely crafted force sword that had been adorned in trophies from every demon Kai has vanquished using the sword was sheathed on his back. He looked towards the quiet void and turned his attention towards the gasses that covered the planet. He had a heavy heart as he closed his dark eyes, knowing that soon he would be forced to commit an act that goes against the teachings of his former mentor and of The Emperor himself. As Kai looked upon the planet; he watched the reflection of a servitor come towards him, stopping a few steps back before it spoke.

            “Inquisitor Kai, the briefing is about to start. The other Inquisitors have requested your presence” the servitors emotionless voice was ignored by Kai as he took a deep breath and continued to stare at the void within the space within the Helion System.

            “Inquisitor Kai?”

            “Take me to the briefing room immediately” Kai’s deep voice presented a command to the servitor as it turned around and led him towards the steel door and the briefing room.

 

The door hissed as it rose up and steam was shot into the servitor’s face who acted as a shield for the taller Inquisitor. A rectangle table stood at the centre of the room with a holographic projector showing Helion III and that some areas were marked in red. Sitting around the table was a different Inquisitor, each one the same class as Kai, all except for Inquisitor Lord Karshen who sat showing none of his facial features, or his body features. His face was hiding under the black hood of his robes and only a dim blue light shone from his eye socket. Whenever Kai was in the presence of Karshen, he both admired Karshen, and feared him for the things he could do if Karshen wished it to be done. Every Inquisitor in the room was different and had differing features. Those that had more power within the group sat closer to Karshen while those that had little influence sat at the foot of the table, away from those that were deemed “Better” than the others. Kai slowly walked to a free seat within the centre of the table, sitting between Inquisitor Mathias and Inquisitor Balthazar, both whom Kai gave respect to as they cared little for rank or the amount of power they held.

            “Now that Inquisitor Kai has joined us, we can begin the briefing on what to do with Helion III and Veto Kornelius” Inquisitor Harken was the first to speak with a tone of voice that demanded respect, yet never deserved it. He was little older than Kai and yet he had done little to gain his rank among the Ordo Malleus yet he always had been close to the top and the favoured choice for promotion to Inquisitor Lord. “As you know Veto Kornelius has fled from the sites of both the Ordo Malleus, and the Ordo Hereticus. Ever since we have been doing our best to track him, and after a year of searching we have fresh intel on his locations and he, and a group of other priests have been sited on Helion III, and has been rumoured to have been spreading blasphemies about the Emperor” Harken looked around at the facial expressions on the faces of the other Inquisitors, yet he was mostly interested on how Kai reacted to the news, as he was charged with finding Kornelius.

            “Correct me if I’m wrong Harken, but isn’t it the Ordo Hereticus’ job to hunt down those that speak blasphemies?” Mathias asked with a confident voice as he looked at the holographic projection of Helion III. Mathias once came from a noble family on Terra, but he gave it all up after every member except him was executed for heresy. His facial features show a gruff and emotionless Inquisitor who’s only duty is to hunt down demons and enemies of the Emperor, but his finely made shirt, trousers and jacket showed the noble past of Mathias.

            “Kornelius has been rumoured for making deals with the demons of Nurgle, particularly with a demon entity whose name cannot be spoken on the ship. It seems he has also struck a deal with members of the Death Guard. His soldiers which have been called “Death Squads” consist of rogue Imperial Guard units were all drafted in by Typhus, each soldier has been blessed by the gifts of Nurgle” Harken explained as he shot a glance towards Kai who had said nothing, or made a single movement during his time in the briefing room. “What are you’re thoughts about the matter then Kai?” It took a long time for Kai to answer the question as he tried to avoid all manner of conversation with the Inquisitor he hated the most.

            “It seems to me that Kornelius is using the Death Squads for two reasons. First is to bully the population of Helion III into being his slaves, the other is for intimidation. He has approached the governments of Helion III into giving him what he wants, maybe enough sacrifices to strike a deal with the Nurgle demon” This case wasn’t uncommon for Kai, he had encountered it before when he vanquished the Nurgle demon De-Achek. It was the same problem; a priest had been gathering converts for his cause and when he had enough, he sacrificed every one of them to unleash the demon. “Why can’t we just send a message to the branch of the Ordo Hereticus and get them to destroy Kornelius?” Kai added with a voiced that showed he had a plan within his reasoning.

            “The Ordo Hereticus is currently recruiting from their temple on Helion III, most soldiers and Inquisitors are overseeing the new recruits training and they would be hard pressed to tackle a threat this big” Inquisitor Kari answered as she looked over towards Kai from the lower end of the table, she was the youngest, being only thirty two but she had gained a lot of experience within the field of demon hunting as she was trained with the Covenant since she was thirteen. Scars covered the open areas of skin that could be seen in plain view. Her protection came from power armour that was joined by a system of connecting chains that had been placed over a leather body suit. She carried a force whip that could cut a genestealers head off with ease and a plasma pistol that was covered in blood and burn marks.  She had long flowing black hair with white streaks down the side which masked a scar along her right eye caused by a termagaunt while on Medusa V.

            “I have one suggestion that might cause some discussion amongst the other Inquisitors but I feel it will have to be done” Harken started as he turned the holographic projector off and turned to the other Inquisitors. “We must order the Imperial Guard based in the city of Kentor to go into the slums where Kornelius is operating and have them eliminate everyone” Harken declared and immediately the other Inquisitors started to argue at the fact of the idea and yet some of them welcomed the idea. What was ironic was they fact that those that welcomed the idea sat at the top end of the table while those that objected the idea sat at the lower end of the table. As the squabbling died down, Kai stood up from his seat and looked directly into the eyes of Harken.

            “You are speaking of mass genocide, on those that are innocent!” Kai objected as he walked around the table.

            “How do we know if the people are innocent Kai?”

            “How do we know if the people have fallen under the influence of Kornelius?” a war of words started between the two Inquisitors as each one exchanged anger and abuse at one another while the other Inquisitors took sides with either Kai or Harken.

            “It is better that one hundred innocent’s fall before the wrath of The Emperor than one person bow to a demon!” Harken shouted the one saying he knew would beat Kai in an argument and a smirk grew on his face while everyone backed away, thinking that Kai’s pride had been beaten. That wasn’t the case, it was the opposite; Kai’s pride remained the exact same, it was Harken’s ego that had changed.

            “I agree… with Harken… we must eliminate everyone in the slums” Karshen’s voice was always slow and stuttered, yet every command given was respected and carried out without question. Kai immediately stormed out of the room, unable to digest the horrors that they were committing to the Emperors subjects, to those they were meant to protect, the Inquisition was doing nothing to protect them.

            “Wait Kai” Kari tried to stop him but felt Karshen deep within her mind, telling her to stop.

 

Outside in the observation deck, Kai stormed around in the shadow of the sun that shone above the planet, thinking back to everything that went on it that room. Outraged at the injustice of the other Inquisitors that cast the vote for mass genocide which would result in the deaths of thousands of imperial citizens, even if they did live in the slums. This was the thinking of a madman, a madman known as Harken. Kai turned his attention planet side and looked towards the western side of the planet to see a Lunar class cruiser of the Ordo Hereticus move into orbit, ready to transport potential Inquisitors to the planet of Ophelia VII, a planet covered in cathedrals and other various places of worship. Sometimes Kai wished he was a member of the Ordo Hereticus instead of the Ordo Malleus, at least then he wouldn’t have to answer to corrupt agents that used their connections to get them in the front of the line for promotional status. He needed an escape from the Scourge but saw no easy way of getting off the ship, he knew that the others would not choose him to travel to Helion III and speak with the governors directly as he was against the idea of mass genocide. He looked out into space once more as his eyes were lowered and looked back behind him, noticing Inquisitor Kari standing there with a concerned look upon her face, the same look she was famous for as she tried to help everyone around her.

            “You want to get off the ship don’t you?” Kari stated with another trait she was famous for. When she spoke to different people, she knew exactly what was wrong with them and always made it open for discussion, even when they didn’t want to talk about it.

            “I’m afraid so” Kai simply answered as he turned to face her. “But I highly doubt that I’ll have the right chance to leave, not until I reach Titan for my meeting with Lady Inquisitor Katherine” Kai continued as they both looked out of the viewing station. “As soon as I reach Titan the better”

            “You’ll get there soon, I’m sure nothing will happen to stop that so you just have to keep your mind on other things” Kari reassured the Inquisitor as they watched a servitor rush up towards it holding a computer screen in both hands.

            “Inquisitor Kai, Inquisitor Kari; the astropaths requested you see these findings. The Astropaths have detected a peak in psyonic activity on both Alpha and Beta waves. They were taken from the area of slums around the city of Kentor” The servitor explained as it waited for a response from either of the Inquisitors as they studied the reports.

            “Is this accurate?” Kai asked as he handed the computer screen to Kari.

            “It is Inquisitor. The readings were just taken and that is the most accurate reading to date” the servitor finished and was ordered away by the flick of Kari’s wrist but stopped as Kai reached into the non cyborg parts of the Servitors mind. “Have there been any signs of warp activity from the intended area?”

            “None Inquisitor, the warp remained untouched at the area” the servitor replied and this time Kai sent the servitor away with a simple hand signal.

            “If this reading is from the slums, then he or she is about to be killed” Kai stated as both he and Kari looked at one another.

            “I don’t think we’ll be able to get to him on time, the odds of finding someone with that level of psychic powers is almost impossible. We would have to cover the entire slums if we wanted to find this psyker” Kari pointed out as they looked out of the window and towards the Aquilla craft that was carrying the selected Inquisitors to Helion III.

            “This isn’t good” Kai concluded as all he could do now was sit and wait for the genocide to start.

 

On planet side; Dante had made himself at home in the sewers and was sleeping in an area that had been decorated with totem poles, coup sticks, spirit staffs and other items native to the Ratskins. No matter what was placed in the area; the most dominating thing in the sewers was the piles of junk that had been hoarded by Junk-O on his trips around the slums. While Junk-O was away looking for any information top side; Dante had been given the chance to catch some sleep after the traumatic day he’s been through. During his sleep, a strong wave of psychic energy flowed through the sewers and caused everything to levitate. Every piece of scrap was raised and slowly rose to the roofs of the sewers as it looked like Dante had entered a dream and a particularly nasty dream as he kept rolling over on the makeshift iron bed that had been set up for him by Junk-O. He clenched at his cape which he used for a jacket as his dreams intensified and turned into nightmares. Suddenly the pieces of scrap that remained on the floor were lifted and shot straight into the air, colliding with the ceiling and creating craters within the concrete.

As Junk-O returned to the area; he looked in horror as he watched every piece of scrap shoot up and collide with the ceiling. Slowly, he felt light headed as his feet left the ground and his eyes widened as he watched the other pieces of shoot up into the concrete.

            “Dante! Dante! Dante wake up!” Junk-O shouted and Dante flung forward, sweat dripping from his forehead and he looked towards Junk-O who was falling to the ground along with the other pieces of scrap.

            “Junk-O are you o.k.?” Dante ran towards the fallen Ratskin as he slowly got up off the floor and shook the dirt off him. “Junk-O what happened?”

            “I don’t know but it stopped as soon as you woke up. I would have hated to been in your mind” Junk-O said, referring to the nightmare Dante was having as Dante walked away with Junk-O trying to keep up.

            “I wish I never had that dream Junk-O. I saw everyone I knew being ripped to shreds by the Death Squads, and at the front of it all I watched Nark destroy everything The Silencers had built” Dante explained as he sat down on the iron bed with Junk-O sitting down next to him.

            “Well that might just happen Dante. I did some investigating in Kentor around the Imperial Guard area. The Ordo Malleus has declared that the Imperial Guard carry out mass genocide through out the slums. Everyone will be killed” Junk-O explained as Dante realised who he had left behind in the slums.

            “What area are they starting with?” Dante demanded as Junk-O jumped back and looked into the fury within Dante’s eyes.

            “East side of the slums, but they’ll be starting their mission soon enough!” Junk-O shouted but Dante had already started to run, he needed to get to the east side church and warn Father Tyrus of what’s about to happen. If he didn’t then he would never forgive himself for it.

 

The east side church was quiet as most people feared to go to any church because of the Death Squads and the fear that Kornelius spread with his speeches. The clear glass windows were the last things that represented all that was good within the slums but everyone feared that it wouldn’t last with the Death Squads on the prowl.

Father Tyrus was the last free priest that spoke about how The Emperor cared for his subjects and those few that accepted that followed him. Tyrus was an old priest, and a veteran of countless wars and battles alongside the Ordo Malleus. Despite his age of one hundred and thirty nine; Tyrus looked like he was in his fifties from his years of clean living and good health. He wore finely made blue robes that were given to him by the Inquisition for his service. He wore them with each sermon and whenever he felt like it, knowing that they were given after good service. His skin was starting to wrinkle over time and his grey hair covered his blue eyes that were a window into the past of a priest that had done so much service in the name of his Emperor. As he looked through the windows of his studies, he heard the door knock and the calm voice of one of his students. Kiera was a young girl of nineteen that had been studying under the influence of Tyrus since she was nine. Her beauty came from her tall, slender physique. With her crystal blue eyes, tanned complexion and long flowing brunette hair; she could charm any man that gave her attention yet she kept her nobility along with her pride. She stepped into the room carrying a set of books and two scrolls that Tyrus had asked her to bring. She was dressed in a pair of black leather trousers, a red blouse and a pair of black boots with a combat knife concealed in the heel of her left boot.

            “I’m glad you’ve come Kiera, I had something I needed to talk to you about” Tyrus started with a croaky voice as Kiera sat down. “Out of the ten years you’ve been a student with me, I have only seen such promise in two students in all my life” Tyrus started as he took the books off her and placed them on his desk.

            “Thanks Father, so what do you have next for me?” Kiera’s soft voice was like a classical score that was being played in front of the Emperor himself.

            “I think the time has come for you to go out and learn at your own accord. That is why I am requesting that you join the Ordo Hereticus to become an Inquisitor” Tyrus’ answer came as a surprise to Kiera. Never in her years as Tyrus’ student had she considered becoming an Inquisitor outside the slums, even off the planet of Helion III.

            “I don’t know what to say Father. I never imagined you would pick me for an Inquisitor. What about Dante?”

            “I have respected Dante’s wishes to remain on Helion III and help his brother take down Kornelius and his Death Squads. I could not ask any more from the boy except for that he does his best and remembers what I taught him”

            “Knowing Dante he will never forget it” Kiera reassured the old priest as he unravelled a scroll and took a black feathered quill and dipped it in ink. Kiera watched as Tyrus filled out all necessary requirements for the scroll before rolling it back up and handing it over to Kiera.

            “I want you to travel to the temple of the Ecclesiarch and show Sister Aurelia those forms. Tell her that Tyrus sends his best regards” he instructed as Kiera read the document carefully and rolled it up before tying it with a black piece of string.

            “Thank you Father” Kiera finished as they shared one last hug before she departed for the temple. While the sun still shone; Kiera looked towards the sky and watched as the birds flew by and cast shadows in the sun. “I better go and get packed”

            “Of course my dear” Tyrus replied and Kiera walked away from the old man, taking the scroll and walking towards the door. Tyrus knew this day would come, when his two favourite students would not have the time to see him and that they could be so many light years away from Helion III, but even a member of an Inquisitor retinue could not stop people from growing up and leaving the church. He was happy as long as they remembered the teachings of the Emperor and how he would never abandon his most loyal citizens. Tyrus made an attempt to write something down on the scrolls in front of him, yet his old age made his hand shake and his reflexes slower than what they used to be as he placed his quill onto the desk in front of him and cast his gaze out of the window. Casting his mind back to the past; Tyrus’ concentration broke as he heard the door knock and wondered if it might be Kiera but called out and watched as the old oak door open up and a stranger slowly stepped into the study.

            “It’s been a long time since I last stepped foot in here father” the stranger said with a confident voice as he looked into the room. Tyrus couldn’t believe his eyes; one of his favourite students, second to Kiera; was standing in front of him and yet Tyrus couldn’t believe how much Dante had grown up. Dante quietly made his way towards Tyrus who had a small smile on his face at the gaze of his former student.

            “Oh my Emperor; the boy I knew, is standing as the man in front of me. It’s great to see you Dante” Tyrus said in excitement as they shared a welcoming hug, but it wasn’t a student giving his teacher a hug, but a hug between old friends that haven’t seen one another for years.

            “I’m sorry I haven’t seen you for so long. I’ve been busy… and a lot has change since we last spoke” Dante apologised with remorse for what happened the day before in the church.       

            “Do not apologise my son, you have been performing a great service for Helion III and not many people can say they’ve performed the actions of you and The Silencers” Tyrus spoke with pride when Dante sat down opposite him, removing his cloak like before; showing some of the knowledge that he learnt while growing up. “So how are the others?” Tyrus’ question hit Dante’s emotions hard as he tried to come to terms with what had happened. A long hush was in the room as Dante sat back and wiped a tear from his eye. “Dante?”

            “I’m sorry father, but I’m afraid everyone has died. We tried to take down Kornelius but we were betrayed by one of our own” Dante admitted as tears started to flow down his face at the thought of loosing everyone behind him. This was the first person besides Junk-O that knew about the deaths. Yet what plagued Dante’s mind was the question of did Tyrus know about the fact Dante was adopted. He had to find out, so the question was inevitable. “If you were the one that found me in the slums; then how come you didn’t take care of me when you found me?” Dante wanted to know more about his past, but he knew with every answer there would come more questions to ask and many more people to find to answer those questions.

            “I was still in the service of the Inquisitor known as Kairon and I would never have the time to raise you. That’s why I asked Korvin to raise you. We all knew this day would come, yet we didn’t know when the best time to tell you was” Despite the shock Dante was taking the news better than anyone else could have done. A few tears ran down his face yet he managed to hold the full extent of his emotions within him and not letting anyone else know about them.

            “Father, I remember you once said to me that I was destined for great things, what did you mean by that?” Dante asked as he referred back to the dream he had the day before.

            “I knew you had a strong amount of psychic energy within you, and you could become a great Inquisitor. Here; I’ve been saving these since the day you were no longer a student” Tyrus handed Dante a dusty scroll tied with black string which Tyrus had been watching for almost seven years. “That scroll is an order to allow you to join the Inquisition. You see; if I had raised you, I would have sent you to join the Inquisition but seeing as Korvin raised you, I let him make the decision in which he passed down to you” Tyrus explained as Dante read through the paragraphs and shifted his gaze between Tyrus and the scroll. Now this raised more questions for Dante; why would he have joined the Inquisition? How come he couldn’t remember being asked what he wanted to do? And what order of the Inquisition would have Dante joined? No matter what Dante thought of, new questions entered his mind and it could be seen that Dante was troubled.

            “This will get me into any order of the Inquisition correct?” Dante asked and was replied with Tyrus nodding his head in compliance. “What order is currently investigating Kornelius and his plague priests?”

            “Both the Ordo Hereticus, and the Ordo Malleus but I’m afraid you may have to join the Ordo Malleus; the Ordo Hereticus is almost full of new recruits” Tyrus answered as Dante looked out of the window and then turned back to Tyrus.

            “I need you to sign these documents” Dante ordered, which brought a small glimmer of hope to Tyrus as he knew the problems facing Helion III will be dealt with soon enough. This was it; the last act for the Inquisition Tyrus would ever do on Helion III, now that everyone was leaving; Tyrus had nothing left in the universe to hold onto. What does an old priest with nothing to gain do? That was the one question that flowed through Tyrus’ mind. Finishing the last word on the scroll; the sound of lasgun fire rang through the church and was followed with the sounds of screaming. Dante rushed to the window to look down into the courtyard and watch as the Imperial Guard made their way through the church, killing all those that were in their sites. Banging came from the wooden door and both Dante and Tyrus were alert and ready to take on the new threat.

            “Father it’s me” Kiera’s voice was a welcome relief to Tyrus as Dante rushed towards the door to let her in before the Imperial Guard soldiers to get to her.

            “Kiera are you o.k.?” Dante asked as Kiera rushed in, turning to face the boy she grew up with. It was hard to believe that this was the same boy that she went to school with, but turned down a life with the church to join his brother and The Silencers. This was an interesting day indeed; first finding out she was joining the Ordo Hereticus, to then finding out the Imperial Guard were killing everyone, and then she saw the boy who gave her company during childhood.

            “I’m fine Dante. What are you doing here? I thought you had joined The Silencers?”

            “It’s a long story and I’ll explain later” Dante answered as they both looked towards Tyrus who had a deep regret within him that could be seen through his eyes.      

            “You two must get to the temple of the Ordo Hereticus. Look for Sister Aurelia and tell her what has happened. All you’ll need to show her is those scrolls and you will be fine. Tell her I sent you and that you need to get off the planet as soon as possible” Tyrus instructed as he removed a laspistol from his desk and checked the ammo levels.

            “What are you doing Father?” Dante was concerned for his old teacher as he looked out of the window.

            “I want you to carry on the name of The Silencers Dante, and Kiera: I want you to make sure the Helion System is saved. Although I want both of you to make sure the Helion System is saved, I would rather see the names of The Silencers remembered and Kornelius destroyed, along with Nark” Tyrus answered as he pointed to the door. “Now go, there’s a vehicle on the edge of the slums that will get you to the temple in just under an hour. Now leave!” Tyrus finished as they shared an emotional good bye and Kiera ran out of the room, eventually followed by Dante as he knew it was the last time they would say good bye and Dante ran out of the room, slamming the door closed behind him as he caught up with Kiera.

            Tyrus had no fear of what awaited him, he knew what was coming and that it would be the last thing that would happen to him. As Tyrus closed his eyes; his heightened senses knew that heavy footsteps were coming closer to his door; each one was louder than before. No doubt these were the boots of a commissar that joined the unit who had decided to deliver the execution personally and without discretion. What made Tyrus happy was the fact that Dante and Kiera had made it away from the church. Opening his eyes; Tyrus watched as the door slowly opened, and in came the towering figure of Commissar Nomack, dressed in a black leather trench coat adorned with medals of honour and valour and a short black officers hat. In his metal hand he carried a finely crafted storm pistol that had already been loaded and the safety had been turned off.

            “If you are going to kill me then let me say one thing” Tyrus requested which caused the cold face of Nomack look at the old man. “I want you to know that the Imperial Guard is looking in the wrong place. Instead of looking in the slums you should be focused on looking inside Kentor”

            “Orders are orders Father, you should know. I heard you were once a part of an Inquisitors retinue” the harsh words coming out of Nomack’s voice brought back memories for the old priest as the two men exchanged looks. “You’ve done you’re duty, and I’m doing mine”

            “That’s where you’re wrong Commissar; my duty isn’t over just yet” a flash of red light filled the room as Tyrus took a shot with his laspistol, wounding the commissar in the arm yet he retaliated by firing three bullets into the old mans brain. Blood and chunks of gore flew into the ground and onto Tyrus’ robes; staining them from blue to a blood red.

            “Now you’ve done your duty” Nomack finished with a cold voice and walked out of the room, towards the waiting medic who stood at hand with a blood pack and a set of bandages. “He wasn’t alone in the room; I want you to search the church grounds for anyone else that may be trying to escape. Now move!” Nomack ordered and the Imperial Guard soldiers rushed down the corridors and towards the stairways.

 

The sounds of gun fire echoed through the hallow tunnels of the sewers as Dante and Kiera both made their way towards the edge of the slums. None of them had spoken since leaving the church; with the impending steps of the Imperial Guard above them; any sound could alert the soldiers of their presence. Kiera was carrying a black bag, almost empty as it was filled with essentials she thought she would need while studying in the Ordo Hereticus but that wasn’t on her mind at the time; she could only think about what to say to Dante when they would give their final farewells to one another at the temple, that’s if they ever got there before the soldiers reach them. As Kiera followed closely behind; they were both tense from the pressure bestowed upon them by their now dead teacher, having to join the Inquisition and take down the corrupted not only on Helion, but in the entire universe. As they walked through the sewers; Kiera tried to work up the courage to say something, but feared on how Dante would react.

            “So… how have you been Dante?” Kiera stuttered as she feared his reaction. A long hush came before Dante came up with a reaction, now that everything around him was being destroyed. What was Kiera thinking? How could she ask Dante how has he been? Yet she didn’t know what’s been going on in the past so she couldn’t be blamed for the question.

            “It’s complicated. I don’t really want to talk about it at the moment” Dante’s reply came to a shock for Kiera; she thought that Dante would be mad at asking the question, but he wasn’t. He remained quiet, almost cold and aloof. As they continued walking, the sounds of splashing water came in the distance and immediately Dante hurried Kiera back against the wall while he drew his stub-pistol and readied it to fire it if necessary.

            “Dante? Dante are you here?” It was the familiar voice of Junk-O who was coming closer towards them. Feeling relieved; Dante put the safety back on his pistol and lowered it into his holster.

            “Over here Junk-O” Dante signalled as he and Kiera stepped forward out of the shadows. “I’m definitely glad to see you”

            “It’s good to see your safe Dante. Judging by the look on your face, I can see that you are looking to go somewhere” Junk-O presumed as they started to walk back the way Junk-O came from and towards his home.

            “We need to get to the west side of the slums and pick up a vehicle. From there we will be travelling to the temple of the Ordo Hereticus. What would be the fastest way of getting their?”

            “Follow me Dante, it will take us just under an hour before we get to where ever it is you want to go” Junk-O explained and rushed off in front with Dante and Kiera following through behind him, kicking up puddles as they rushed through the sewer water.

 

Out in the wastelands, west of the slums; the harsh winds blew against the walls of the ecclesiarchal chapel. The brass door withstood the force of the sand storms and kept everyone inside safe from harm. The marble stairs were covered with sand and the stone walls were withstanding the constant blasts of wind. The silver statues next to the doors watched the surrounding areas and the mountains surrounding the chapel.

            Nark was marching through the desert with the Death Squad’s Imperial Guard fifth company behind him. He carried a large iron hammer that he rested on his shoulder and carried it with ease. Twelve units of twenty four soldiers marched in unison while their sergeants marched out in front, inline with the other sergeants. Amongst the units, three of the soldiers carried a missile launcher while another three carried the missiles. Walking behind Nark was a command squad consisting of a senior officer carrying a power weapon at his waist and a laspistol in the holster attached on the left side of his hip. On his left stood a vox caster who gripped his lasgun tightly in hand and was ready to fire it upon any enemy. On the commanders right was a standard bearer carrying the Death Squad’s fifth company banner of the grim reaper casting down the body of a space marine. At the end of the lines marched a medic and a veteran Death Squad member carrying a grenade launcher. Accompanying the squad was the corrupt commissar Victor, brother to commissar Nomack. He was the same built but with more distinguished features. His short black hair was covered by a beret and his carapace armour was shown under his leather trench coat that was adorned with medals from previous battles. His leather trousers and boots kicked the sand as he walked alongside the command squad. At the back of the force was a small unit of six Ogryns and to their right marched a squad of ten Kasrkin that had been corrupted by Kornelius’ bribes of wealth and power.

            Marching through the storm; Nark held his giant, Ogryn like hand up in the air, signalling for the soldiers to stop as they looked upon the chapel of the Ordo Hereticus. Nark looked on at his surroundings and then turned towards the soldiers. They had reached their target, now all that remained was to destroy it and put an end to the trouble they were receiving.

            “Death Squad! You know what must be done! I want you to charge at the chapel… and destroy it!” Nark shouted and the soldiers were in an uproar as they held their weapons up and looked towards Nark. “Charge!” Nark ordered and they rushed past him and on towards the chapel, firing at the walls and the brass door.

            On the top of the chapel walls; the automated turrets came into life as they whirred with motion and peppered the Death Squad soldiers with a barrage of heavy bolter shells. The sky was filled with the fires of the jetpacks of the Seraphim squads that took off from the chapel walls as they flew across the sky while covering the soldiers with a rain of bullets from their bolt pistols. From the left of the mountains, their white and red armour glistened in the light of the sky. Rhinos and Chimeras thundered across the plains towards the Death Squads. Inside the tanks carried squads of Sisters of Battle and squads of Inquisitorial Storm Troopers. Coming to a halt, the rear hatches of both the Rhinos and the Chimeras hissed and lowered themselves down and every soldier inside rushed into the fight, Boltgun and hellgun blazing in a storm of bolter shells and energy rounds. The Death Squad was slowly falling under the sheer weight of gun fire and eventually the soldiers started to flee, but were mercilessly shot down by Commissar Victor’s laspistol.

            The Death Squad was close to defeated but for Nark that wasn’t the case; he was charging into the nearest groups of soldiers and smashing them aside with his iron hammer and some he was crushing with his own hands and feet. The robed leader looked like he wasn’t going to be stopped as he smashed down more battle sisters. The ground started to shake as two Penitent Engines strode forward, scorching the enemy with their flame throwers and cutting those that resisted in half. The air was filled with the screaming of the Sisters Repentia while their eviscarators whirred with motion while being shredding the flesh of the Death Squad members. The two Penitent Engines charged towards Nark but were smashed aside by his iron hammer like they were nothing.

            “Nark! We have to fall back. The army has been defeated and we will be killed if we do not retreat!” Victor shouted over the commotion of battle and death.

            “We do not fall back yet!”

            “You will get us all killed!” Victor rushed towards Nark but was smashed aside by Nark as he looked down at the crippled body of Commissar Victor and just laughed as he watched him tried to move his muscles.

            “You want to retreat? Fine, I’ll take you back to Kornelius and you can explain why you wanted to retreat” Nark continued as he gripped the crippled body and lifted him up off the floor. “All soldiers! Retreat!” Nark shouted and the soldiers rushed back from the battlefield but most were shot down by the soldiers to prevent the