Brothers

"Sizzle--!!!"

A sickening tearing sound rang out! The berserker was ripped in two from head to toe by this Ultramarines!

Internal organs and filthy blood splattered everywhere, but they quickly evaporated and were purified upon contact with the energy field on the surface of the Ultramarines's Power Armour.

The Ultramarines shook off the debris, his eyes flashing like lightning, and whirled around, his arm slicing through the air—

"Clang!!"

Mars flew everywhere!

He narrowly deflected a Power Sword with his forearm guard.

It was Cassius, his eyes bloodshot, roaring as he charged forward!

The Ultramarines seized the opportunity to grab the blade of the opponent's blood-stained but well-maintained Power Sword.

The immense force caused the sword to groan under the strain, but it also blocked Cassius's subsequent attack.

"Familiar swordsmanship."

The Ultramarines's voice came through his helmet, carrying an unexpected hint of calm:

"It bears the hallmarks of our legion's basic swordsmanship. Solid, sharp, and well-rounded in both offense and defense."

Cassius used the momentum to leap backward, his Power Sword drawing a perfect defensive arc in front of him, his posture calm and composed, a stark contrast to the collapsing Chaos Warriors around him.

He was panting, but his voice was firm. "I've been learning this sword technique longer than you have. The one who taught me this sword technique... was a veteran of the Ultramarines."

"And I have been practicing for over six hundred years."

He looked up, and even through the helmet, his gaze seemed to pierce through the goggles. "In a way, I can call you... a recruit."

The Ultramarines was stunned.

He is indeed "young"; according to the new epochal algorithm, he has only been transformed and become a true Ultramarines for less than ten years.

He carefully examined his opponent, his gaze settling on the old badge that was partially covered by the Mark of Chaos.

"Rebel Chapter?"

He glanced at the unfamiliar emblem; he wasn't even born when the Astral Claws rebelled.

"Why are you still wearing... the insignia from the period of loyalty?"

Cassius paused for a moment, his Power Sword drooping slightly. "At least... I have a clear conscience."

I didn't go to Cadia's betrayal.

Even if the Chapter Master has given the order.

His voice lowered, carrying a deep weariness and a certain persistence, "He... has been corrupted by power."

He's no longer the Astral Claws who led us to defend the Maelstrom and our glory, brother."

brother.

This word, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirred ripples in the heart of that Ultramarines.

He completely stopped attacking and carefully re-examined the enemy before him.

That resolute gaze, that steady sword rest, that certain "temperament" that never faded even in dire straits... and that old badge.

He understood.

The soldier before me, labeled a "traitor," truly had Robert Guilliman's blood flowing through his veins.

It was not a blessing of Chaos and distortion, but rather a pure human Gene-seed planted by the Primarch ten thousand years ago.

Even after being tainted by betrayal, exile, and Chaos, the core values of "tenacity" and "responsibility" that belong to the Ultramarines Legion still remain.

But I will still follow him.

Cassius raised his sword again, his voice regaining its strength, but carrying a complex emotion:

"Because the Imperium rule at that time had become so corrupt that we could see no hope!"

We just want to... build a home where Space Marines are no longer sacrificed at will!

I must admit... under his rule, at least the slaves in the areas he controlled lived better than most commoners in the Imperium!

This was his belief, his path, and also his tragedy.

"I see..."

The Ultramarines muttered to himself.

He recalled the countless times the Gene-Father had taught them after his awakening.

The Primarch said they were demigods, Superman, but first and foremost, they were human.

As human beings, we have emotions and desires, we have weaknesses, and we are swayed by love and hate.

"The most profound and precious foundation of humanity is 'love'."

The noblest love is the love for humanity.

Guilliman's voice seemed to echo in his ears.

The enemy before us may have a narrow and distorted "love," directed towards the wrong target and leader.

But the core emotion of wanting to protect "their kind" and build a "home"... even the Ultramarines could vaguely feel a sense of resonance.

He knew that if he went all out, using the enhanced power and speed of the "Smart Atoms," the warrior in front of him wouldn't last three moves.

But he didn't.

He stopped, slowly drew his Chainsword, and the serrated blade began to spin with a low growl.

He wanted to give this old soldier, who shared the same blood but had gone astray, a dignified end befitting his unwavering spirit.

"One last question."

The Ultramarines's voice, clear and solemn, came through an external speaker. "Do you still consider yourself a 'human being'?"

Without any hesitation, Cassius slammed his helmet down, his voice resolute. "From beginning to end, I have been human."

"Very good."

The Ultramarines took a deep breath, his gaze beneath his helmet becoming solemn and resolute.

He gripped the Chainsword with both hands, raising it high; the roar of its fangs was like a funeral dirge, yet also like a glorious hymn.

His voice, like a vow, resounded throughout this small corner of the battlefield:

"Then, in the name of honor and courage!"

"Here, I will end the tragic flow of Guilliman's sacred blood within you!"

"As a human being--"

"Prepare for your glorious death!"

Cassius smiled.

His expression was hidden behind his mask, but his voice was filled with relief and a hint of... satisfaction.

"I can sense that you are very powerful... My power is probably less than a tenth of yours."

He assumed the starting stance of the Astral Claws Swordsmanship, the most standard posture taught to him by that veteran Ultramarines hundreds of years ago:

"But I will do my best."

He repeated the sentence in a low voice, as if savoring the last vestiges of human dignity and warmth within it:

"The death of a human being..."

"Ha... that's really good."

The next moment, the roar of the Chainsword and the shriek of the Power Sword rang out simultaneously!

Two figures, one deep blue like the sea, the other dark red like rust, carrying completely different beliefs and traditions, yet colliding with each other with the same resolute attitude!

For their own paths.

For their respective loyalty.

And also for that tragic yet glorious bloodline that shares the same origin from a great father.

Clang--!!!