"You can shut up now."
Corax spoke through gritted teeth, his voice thick with barely contained rage, like a volcano about to erupt.
His fingers tightened around his Talon Blades, his knuckles cracking under the strain.
He had intended to pry more information out of this Space Marine, to watch him succumb to fear and despair, but now he gave up.
Every word the Space Marine spoke was like a thorn driven into his heart, filling him with an inexplicable irritation and unease.
"Just what I'd expect from a son of Lorgar. One twisted argument after another."
Corax abandoned the conversation and lunged at Hess. He moved with astonishing speed, like a streak of black lightning, leaving an afterimage in the air.
His Talon Blades swept through an arc, bearing the force to rend anything apart as they slashed straight for Hess's throat.
In Hess's eyes, time seemed to slow at that moment.
He saw Corax's figure trail afterimages through the air, saw the black mist churning around his body, saw those razor-sharp Talon Blades closing in on him.
But behind those blades, he seemed to see another figure.
An angel with six wings stood amid the light, holding a spear and a sharp sword, gazing silently at him.
The angel's face was indistinct yet holy, his gaze filled with compassionate tenderness.
"Father."
The instant Hess spoke, his sword collided with Corax's Talon Blades.
Clang!
A sharp metallic crash rang out through the Engine Room.
The Power Sword in Hess's hand began to shatter the moment it touched Corax's Talon Blades.
Fragments of the blade scattered in every direction, glinting coldly in the air before clattering to the floor.
A moment later, Corax's Talon Blades pierced Hess's armor, punched through his shoulder, and pinned him to the wall.
Blood gushed