Fateweaver

Amidst the ruins, the Ultramarines struggled to prop himself up with his arms.

His internal communications channels were filled with alerts and damage reports, but he ignored them all.

His first sensation was physical—a long-forgotten feeling: excruciating pain, and nausea and dizziness from the shock to his internal organs.

Since receiving the "rebirth" from the Gene-Father, with Vitruum energy and Smart Atoms flowing through his body, he had never felt such a "heavy" blow in any battle.

Even when facing powerful Chaos Champions or Lesser Demon Lords, he always manages to gain the upper hand through strength, speed, or the adaptability of his Smart Atoms.

But that attack just now... was completely different.

That wasn't a technique, nor a trick; it was the most primal and brutal force crushing everything in its path, a manifestation of the furious essence from the deepest recesses of the Warp.

He looked down at his breastplate.

Right in the center of his chest was a shocking, deep slash mark with molten edges.

At the breach, the Ceramite and Plasteel were forcibly torn and melted, revealing the damaged servo system and a portion of biological tissue with a pale golden sheen that was rapidly wriggling underneath.

Those were his muscles and the wounds that were being urgently repaired by Smart Atoms.

He could "feel" countless nanoscale Smart Atoms, like the most loyal worker bees, surging from all parts of his body toward the wound in his chest, attempting to seal blood vessels, reconnect tissues, and reshape the damaged armor lining.

But the repair speed... is far slower than usual.

The lingering "fire of rage" belonging to Skarbrand on that wound, like the most stubborn toxin and the curse of entropy increase, continuously hinders and disrupts the healing process.

Preliminary estimates suggest that fully repairing this injury, while not fatal, will require at least a full standard Terra week, during which high-intensity combat will be prohibited.

"Ribs... no fractures. Major organs... slight concussion, no ruptures. Power core... intact. Major joints... limited range of motion."

He quickly completed the self-check, and the conclusion relieved him slightly.

My bones are fine, my heart and other vital organs are unharmed, and the power backpack is still usable, but I experience severe pain when I exert force on my chest and my power output decreases.

It won't affect our mobility, but our fighting style must be completely changed from now on; we can no longer engage in any head-on confrontations.

He struggled, using his Chainsword for support, and rose from the ruins.

The broken pipe spewed out scorching steam, which streaked across his blood-stained helmet and visor.

His gaze passed over the approaching, volcano-like Skarbrand and landed on Cassius, who was still standing blankly in the distance.

An uncontrollable, chilling rage rose within him.

That should have been a sacred final ceremony!

This was the last act of dignity he bestowed upon his "brother" who flowed with Guilliman's blood but had gone astray!

A death that embodies the Ultramarines's creed and carries a tragic element of redemption!

It has been defiled.

It was brutally and thoroughly defiled by this Chaos beast that suddenly intruded, a beast that knew only destruction and madness!

This demon knows nothing of honor, bloodline, or the final salute between warriors.

It only destroys, only kills, only uses its brute force and evil fire to trample on all solemnity and meaning.

"Chaos... demon."

The Ultramarines's voice came through the broken speaker, hoarse but containing an iron will, as he stared intently at Skarbrand:

"You... have hindered a sacred end."

He gripped the Chainsword tightly, its cracks emitting a defiant blue-gold glow—the final reinforcement by Smart Atoms.

"I should have... sent that fallen man to his deserved end."

His gaze was icy. "But now... there are more important things to do."

He took a deep breath, ignoring the tearing pain in his chest, and poured all his strength, all his will, and all his anger into the roar that followed.

The sound even briefly drowned out Skarbrand's heavy footsteps and the groans of the warship's structure:

"You have tarnished Guilliman's glory!!"

"For courage and glory--!!!"

The roar subsided, and then he moved!

Without retreating or detouring, despite knowing the disparity in strength and knowing he was seriously injured.

He charged towards the terrifying crimson troll like a moth drawn to a flame, or a drone defending its nest!

His speed was slowed by his injuries, but his momentum soared to its peak!

"Roar?!" A hint of surprised "interest" flashed in Skarbrand's bloodshot eyes, which was then replaced by even more intense rage and contempt.

It seems to "appreciate" this overconfident challenge.

It didn't use any combat techniques; it simply swung the burning giant axe again casually, as if swatting away flies.

With an aura as powerful as splitting mountains and seas, it swept across the charging blue figure!

Even before the axe blade arrived, the scorching and violent pressure had already caused the surrounding metal to turn red and soften!

"Clang--Boom!!!"

A second, even more devastating collision!

The Chainsword shattered completely the moment it touched the Wrathful Battle Axe!

Countless metal fragments and broken saw teeth flew everywhere!

The Ultramarines, relying on his honed combat instincts and the Smart Atoms ' extreme anticipation of danger, survives the moment his weapon shatters.

He narrowly escaped the axe's direct strike by rolling to the side, but was still severely grazed by the violent energy and shockwave carried by the axe!

"Puff!"

He spat out another mouthful of blood specks of golden light, tumbling and crashing into the other side of the cabin wall, leaving a human-shaped dent in the hard panel.

Power! Absolutely superior to his! That's the most direct feeling.

But even more terrifying was the materialized flames of rage that coiled around the battle axe and Skarbrand.

The flames not only scorched the flesh, but also eroded the spirit, eroded the will, and accelerated the decay of matter!

Even the active Smart Atoms within his body showed obvious "lag" and "loss" when they came into contact with the flames, further reducing the efficiency of wound repair.

This demon... is far more dangerous than any enemy he has ever encountered before!

"Awooo--!!!" Skarbrand seemed even more excited when he saw that his attack had failed to completely eliminate the "little bug".

It strode forward, ready to deliver the fatal blow and completely crush this "fun toy" that dared to challenge it and survive two of its attacks.

Just as Skarbrand raised his giant axe, and the blood flames surged with excitement—

"Skarbrand--!!"

"You brainless, angry scum--!!!"

Two sharp, high-pitched roars, filled with the fury and exasperation of a plan being disrupted, pierced through the space shrouded in rage like two poisoned ice spikes!

The sound did not come from one direction, but seemed to seep out simultaneously from every fold and crack in space, with dizzying echoes and contradictory rhythms.