Calth's Blood (End)
004. M31, the Gods' Gaze.
Truth exists even in darkness.
Erebus laughed, clutching his severed hand. He knelt in complete darkness, where not long ago it had been a meditation room lit by candles, but now it was utter darkness.
This is the power of the gods.
He looked up and saw countless rays of light twisting. Each one represented a future that could have taken place but was now being distorted; everything was changing, and nothing was certain. Erebus knew this; it was one of the countless truths he had gleaned from the darkness.
One of the gods loved such wonders. While the other gods desired a future that could only represent their victory, this one was different. He only demanded change. Any change was acceptable, endless, even distortion.
He was very pleased and even promised Erebus more for it. The Dark Apostle carefully selected these rewards, not accepting them immediately. He didn't think he deserved them for the time being, but he was still smiling.
He couldn't help but laugh.
Calth is dead.
Whatever future Roboute Guilliman envisioned for it, and whatever the vision and passion of those who built it, are now irrelevant.
Calth has become a Dead Star; it will turn into a Death World due to excessive radiation.
The Thirteenth Legion was also severely damaged. Roboute Guilliman deployed at least twenty Chapter on the ground in Calth. Erebus did not know the exact number, but he was certain that the operation had killed at least half of them.
He won't say this is the end, because he still has another half to kill.
Lorgar Aurelian and Cole Fallon have set out for the Five Hundred Worlds of Ultramar. They will continue the ritual that Erebus initiated on the surface of Calth, a destructive storm and a rite of ascension to godhood.
This destructive storm will sweep across most of the galaxy, shattering countless worlds and leaving them trembling in the face of impending darkness. Support will be a pipe dream; division and hardship will be the theme.
Most importantly, it will shatter that person's humanity.
This time there will be no help, because the only one who can help him will be preoccupied with his own problems, and he will be facing Horus Lupercal.
How many people will die because of this?
Erebus had no answer, nor did he bother to think about it; the mere thought of it almost made him laugh until he couldn't breathe. He didn't know why he was being so despicable, but he genuinely enjoyed it.
He has always been an evil person; he knows his own nature. As the saying goes, there is no definitive answer to human nature, but Erebus has a different opinion.
He understood that a person's character could be shaped in childhood, and that the concepts of good and evil were like a vast amount of paint that could completely change the color of a blank sheet of paper. But he was different; he was not a blank sheet of paper. He was born evil, and he enjoyed it.
He adored this chaotic Chaos; to him, it was like a supreme hymn, a song he would use to reshape the world into his desired form. He would tell everyone: Hey, you are not noble, you are not brave, you are just like me.
Then, he thought of Night Lords.
In the instant he severed his right hand, Erebus saw a certain future. Not his, but that of Night Lords.
Even though it was just a fleeting glance, he still saw it—he saw Night Lords pierced by the power claw, kneeling on the ground, while he stood in front of him.
This means he has won, and it also means that no matter how heavy the sacrifices Night Lords made, no matter what price he paid, he will ultimately lose.
Erebus finally collapsed laughing to the ground.
Isn't this interesting? He asked himself. They would become heroes in the eyes of the world, they would be praised, worshipped, and even used as a banner to inspire others against us, but what is the truth?
The truth is, there are no heroes in this world. Heroes simply don't exist, and all heroes die. Those who dare to resist Chaos will die in various ways; that's fate, and you can't escape it.
Yes, that's fate.
Erebus slowly closed his eyes, beginning to accept the influx of darkness. He had already gone far, but it wasn't enough; he would go even further.
He will become the forerunner of darkness.
--
004. M31, Calth Orbit, Macragge's Honour.
Nineteen hours after the start of the war, Roboute Guilliman witnessed the destruction of five scarlet warships.
They were originally anchored in near-Earth orbit, relentlessly bombarding the surface of Calth, carrying out efficient, cruel, and despicable killings. Now, they are merely giant fireballs pierced and detonated by light spears, reduced to shattered steel in the frigid vacuum.
Everyone on it will die, whether you're a crew member, Astartes, or a so-called Auxilia, you will all die.
Realizing this, a cold smile appeared on Roboute Guilliman's face.
He turned around and saw Ionid Hill, who had just taken office.
The latter has been temporarily promoted from sergeant in the 135th Company to company commander. Perhaps he will be promoted again in the future, or perhaps he will not. But it is an indisputable fact that his original company commander and even the Chapter Master have been killed.
Moreover, Roboute Guilliman saw a certain quality in Hill, a quality they needed right now. That was the main reason for his promotion, not the so-called "top vacancy."
Roboute Guilliman nodded to him and began searching for his captain, Bohan Zedorov, who responded half a minute later.
He sat on the ground, leaning against the wall, directing the Macragge's Honour. His uniform was covered in blood, and a medical Servitor was beside him performing his twenty-ninth check-up of the day.
→
He was about to stand up, but Roboute Guilliman gestured for him not to. He came to Zedorov, knelt down, and placed his hands on his knees.
"Sir?" Zedorov asked blankly.
"Don't worry about me," Roboute Guilliman said. "How are you feeling?"
"She won't die, sir," the captain said. "Just like Macragge's Honour, she can still move, her weapon arrays are undamaged, and she's ready to hunt at any time."
"It's no longer necessary. The Word Bearers' fleet is in disarray. Their main force has already retreated; those remaining are merely scapegoats, cannon fodder used to delay our advance."
"So, we've won?" Zedorov asked.
"No, I wouldn't say that," Roboute Guilliman replied thoughtfully. "I need the Macragge's Honour to dock in near-Earth orbit now, first to carry out an orbital bombardment to eliminate the Word Bearers, and then, to rescue everyone we can as quickly as possible."
He looked into Zedorov's eyes and told the captain the reason for doing so in a flat tone.
"The Sun in Calth is undergoing fission, transformation, and no ordinary change. Those traitors have somehow pushed it to its limits. All instruments and readings indicate that we must leave Calth. In fact, we even need to get away from the Veridian System to avoid being affected."
He spoke gently, Zedorov suddenly realized that Roboute Guilliman was somewhat different from before. This difference was easily noticeable even to someone as mortal as him.
"Grown ups."
"Um?"
Your eyes.
"I know," Roboute Guilliman said. "It's some kind of change I don't yet understand, but it should be good, because I don't feel uncomfortable at all right now."
But your hair has turned white too.
"Really? It's completely white?"
"Almost."
Roboute Guilliman laughed. "I'm probably going to get a scolding from some lady."
"No, sir, I think Ms. Euten is more likely to give you a hug," Zedorov said. "Like one of the things I'd most likely do to my daughter if I saw her again. It might sound offensive, but as parents, we'll always be on our children's side."
Roboute Guilliman seemed lost in thought for a few seconds before he came to his senses, "Your words have been very helpful to me, Zedorov. Well then, do what you must do."
"Understood, sir." The captain gave him an Aquila Salute, Roboute Guilliman stood up, returned the salute, and then turned and left.
He returned to the instruments in front of the auxiliary bridge and began to monitor the readings.
He knew perfectly well that a storm was brewing, and he understood that not everyone on Calth could leave, just as not all those Word Bearers would die in the bombing.
This means the Battle of Calth will not end, because, perhaps by some coincidence, Calth possesses a complete and reliable underground cave system, which is just waiting to be developed. They will move underground, and the war in Calth will also move underground.
This war will continue, and Roboute Guilliman and his fleet will be far from here. The protectors of Calth will be far from what they have sworn to protect.
If possible, the Calth would weather the storm. If possible, they would win. But Roboute Guilliman couldn't see it, because he and his fleet would be far away to fight a much larger war.
Will the people of Calth forgive him? Will the dead forgive him?
Roboute Guilliman closed his eyes and fell into thought. After a while, Ionid Hill's voice roused him.
"Primarch." Hill walked to his side. "Chapter Master Gage sent a message; he has gathered all the available troops and surviving civilians. Once the bombing is over, we can send airships to Leptis Numinus."
"Very good." Roboute Guilliman opened his eyes. "Anything else? I can detect some hesitation in your voice."
He believes that not everyone is willing to leave Calth.
"I see."
He also suggested that you might prepare a speech.
"Indeed," Roboute Guilliman said, his short, pale hair gleaming strangely in the sunlight of Calth. His expression was calm, as if nothing had happened.
He felt no pain, no sadness, no anger, and no hatred.
He looked at Hill, his eyes burning with intensity.
"This is just the beginning," Roboute Guilliman said seriously.
--
"The Battle of Calth will not end."
"The Word Bearers have retreated, abandoning their forces, believing this to be the end, but it is not. The end of this war will not be determined by their will, unless all the Word Bearers perish, unless the remains of Lorgar Aurelian are burned in flames."
"From this day forward, we will fight for Calth."
--004. M31, Calth, Roboute Guilliman.
Rumors about Endless Death 2 have been flying everywhere lately. Please note that the theories of the Emperor and Black King being one entity and the two-dimensional suit theory are actually quite similar to these rumors. We'll have to wait until the Translation Court has translated the entire book before drawing any conclusions (kudos to the Translation Court!).
Also, I would appreciate more comments. The subscription rate has dropped significantly, but at least this war story is a bit better than the previous two?