Water Drinker
"Burn this place down quickly. Lord Fulgrim is probably still waiting for news from Kasgar."
"We need to hurry—"
Telma lowered his head and glanced at the small atomic clock on his wrist.
Wait a minute!
The timing is wrong!
According to the clock, several days have passed since they set off!
"How is that possible! I only remember spending at most one Terra hour here."
"The nutrient solution inside the backpack has not been used at all."
Unbeknownst to them, the recent ritual had nearly dragged the entire chamber into the influence of the Warp, thus affecting the flow of time.
The situation may be far worse than he imagined.
"Quick!"
"We need to get back quickly!"
The capital of Byzas.
After Fulgrim ordered the takeover of all Byzas, the mortal sheriffs from the 28th Expeditionary Fleet performed their duties admirably.
Aside from a few sporadic noble rebellions, the entire Byzas government was almost entirely controlled by Prime Minister Collins, who was supported by Fulgrim.
Several days have passed.
There's still no clue about Kasgar.
Not only that, even Telma and Thorn, who were originally sent to investigate the Southern Continent, disappeared without a trace after entering the enemy's stronghold.
Frustration filled Fulgrim's heart.
Today marks the sixth day recorded on that little note.
"Abdelon, I'm heading to the agreed-upon meeting place."
"While I am away from the capital, it is very likely that those nobles will take the opportunity to launch a rebellion against the capital."
"But sir," Abdelon, somewhat uneasy, "You really don't need us to come along?"
"We don't have that many people."
Fulgrim shook his head. "Kasgar, Telma, and Thorn have all disappeared. The place that needs Space Marine the most right now is the capital."
"I can no longer choose anyone else to go with me."
"Don't worry. As the Primarch, nothing can hurt me."
"Yes, my lord. I wish you success on your journey."
"You too, Abdelon."
Fulgrim frowned as she boarded her Firebird.
Her tightly furrowed brows hadn't relaxed for a long time.
Ever since Kasgar disappeared, she has been blaming herself for not being able to protect him.
Even though she knew in her heart that this was beyond her control, a strange sense of guilt and self-blame kept troubling her.
You're afraid of losing him, aren't you?
"Who? Who's speaking?"
Sitting in the cabin, Fulgrim felt as if she were hallucinating.
Whether it's taken away by someone else or through death, you don't want to see the day you lose Kasgar.
You hope that the other person can belong to you forever.
Fulgrim remained silent.
The only sound inside the ship was the clanging of the steel hull colliding.
But that's impossible, Fulgrim.
You are the Emperor's Space Marine, tools used by tyrants for conquest.
[To be consumed one day is your destiny, and Kasgar's destiny as well.]
"Shut up."
"Kasgar will be fine. He won't die on this pathetic planet!"
"Fulgrim retorted in a low voice."
Yes, maybe we'll survive this time, but what about the future?
[The moment he returned from countless battles and countless life-or-death struggles]
Can you really say he will never leave you?
[Fulgrim?]
The Firebird landed on the plain surface.
"You stay here, I'll be right back."
Fulgrim gave the order and inspected the swords, spears, and armor at hand.
Apart from that voice that occasionally comes from the bottom of my heart, there are no problems.
That thing... it's probably what I'm thinking too.
Stop being paranoid, Fulgrim.
Just as he failed to perceive the effects of the Laerda in the original story, Fulgrim, who firmly believed in the Imperial Truth, chose to attribute it to a form of self-suggestion.
She has indeed been somewhat restless these days, which is why she has been experiencing auditory hallucinations so frequently.
Located on the Western Continent of Byzas, this area boasts a beautiful environment and a pleasant climate.
Several small farms dot the vast fields on the distant horizon, creating a breathtaking scene.
Compared to the turmoil in the Central Continent, this place seems more like a secluded paradise.
Fulgrim continued walking forward.
[Fulgrim, if that's the case, why did you use the blood of your loved ones to serve that tyrant?]
Do you really want to see Kasgar die on the battlefield, leaving him with no one to rely on?
Fulgrim continued walking forward.
However, she gripped the flaming sword tightly in her hand.
Aren't you tired? All for this so-called Great Crusade.
You poured everything into rebuilding the Legion's glory, but what was the result?
That arrogant Guilliman only flaunts the fancy toys his father gave him; he looks down on your achievements.
All the Primarch look down on you. They're nothing but spoiled brats.
They don't understand your pride, the pride of building everything single-handedly.
[And Philus, who is on good terms with you, is just a bitch trying to seduce Kasgar.]
In my opinion, instead of wasting time on this—
"Arrive."
Fulgrim stood still before the ruins of a monastery.
If Telma were here, he would most likely exclaim in surprise that this ruin is almost identical to what he had explored in the Southern Continent.
"Come out, I know you're here."
Impatiently, she drew her Flame Sword from her waist and pointed it high at the weathered and shattered plaque in front of the broken gate.
The voice from within her made her increasingly agitated, and she was eager to end it all.
"As you wish, Lord Fulgrim."
However, to her surprise, the voice coming from deep within the ruins was extremely familiar.
With a light, quick footstep, a face that Fulgrim could hardly believe appeared before her.
"How could it be you, Kasgar?"
"Of course it's me, Fulgrim."
He was dressed in a Byzas- style robe, just like the officials.
There are still some charred holes on its body.
It looked like it had been burned.
"Welcome to Sabazius Ut Anabas."
Kasgar laughed.
His smile made her feel like she was basking in a spring breeze.
"I am Kasgar, and also Sabazius, the Water Drinker in Byzas mythology."
Just as Fulgrim is the Goddess of Water in the myth of Chemos, Kasgar is a perfect match for her.
"Fulgrim".
Why follow that greedy tyrant and abandon our eternal happiness?
"Why not choose to escape with me and go to a world without pain and strife?"
"Where, can we eternally enjoy sweet love together?"
He called softly and opened his arms to Fulgrim.
"Come on, Fulgrim."
"Let us fall together."