WAAAGHHHH!!!!
In the blink of an eye!
The long-handled battle-axe in the second battalion commander of the Head of State's Guard's hands collided violently with the Chainsword wielded by the Centurion of the Astartes Space Marines' XVI Legion, the Shadowmoon Wolves!
Clang!!
With a deafening metallic crash, their fierce clash, like thunder and lightning, shook the atmosphere above the surface of this planet, Four-Fu IV. Those with keen eyes even saw a barely perceptible Shockwave ripple rapidly outward from the point where their weapons met.
At the same time!
A brilliant shower of sparks burst from the impact, shining almost as brightly as the lights inside the conference hall and illuminating the dim, desolate ground outside, where the two men fought.
Then!
After that lightning-fast clash, something happened that astonished everyone watching on both sides. Horus and the Primarchs were especially shocked, as were the Space Marines of the XVI Legion, the Shadowmoon Wolves. The second battalion commander, despite wearing a CMC Powered Combat Suit and standing a mere two point three meters tall, had met the Centurion blow for blow. The Centurion wore gray-white power armor, stood at least two point six or seven meters tall, and looked imposing, powerful, and at least a size larger. Yet their first collision had ended in a draw, with both men staggering backward several steps. Neither had gained the upper hand.
That first blow—the second battalion commander's and the Centurion's opening clash and probe—had been evenly matched in strength alone?
That single exchange had left the spectators frowning or staring wide-eyed, all of them shocked and surprised.
Horus and the other Primarchs, in particular, along with the helmetless Space Marines seated around the negotiating table, wore expressions of undisguised disbelief.
But the spectators' shock aside, the duel had only just begun. For