Cassian Vaughn, former Legion Master of the 18th Legion, staggered at the head of the column.
His Saturnine Terminator armor had been scorched black by bolter fire, its heavy breastplate burned red-hot.
The runes on his eyepieces flickered rapidly, like the unstable screen of a Logis-Engine.
Members of the Honor Guard and other battered Salamander survivors gathered along the way dragged their ruined bodies behind Cassian.
They trod upon black dust and sand, while shattered blue-black Night Lords armor and broken weapons slaughtered by Cassian lay piled at their feet.
Bolters roared, and flying sparks reflected in the Salamanders' eyes.
The Salamanders all looked toward Cassian. His body stood upright, like a green Great Beast struggling forward through flames beneath a crushing burden.
He took another heavy step forward and violently swung both arms.
The Night Lords struck by him flew away like kites with severed strings, smashing against the mountainside.
Tova Thor, a member of the Night Bat Council, stepped out from the crowd, his black eyes fixed on Cassian.
Thor's lone bionic hand clicked and whirred. His claws burst with brilliant light, illuminating his pale face and making it all the more terrifying.
Boom!
The claws pierced his ash-stained armor, and Cassian's body swayed from the blow.
He raised his left arm and struck at his enemy while the claws were lodged in the Saturnine Terminator armor.
Thor raised his other arm and grabbed his bionic hand.
The claws cracked explosively, crushing the bionic hand before he lunged forward.
Riiip!
With a piercing screech, the Saturnine Terminator was torn open by a huge gash.
Boom!
Cassian crashed to the ground, and into the hearts of the Salamanders as well.
Watching blood dye the black sand red, they roared and charged at Thor.
The hunters swooped down like vultures.