Plague Iron Riders vs. Caliban Knights

Chaghatai had been one of the few truly intelligent primarchs. His insight into all things was exceptionally sharp and penetrating, and he possessed his own unique philosophy for dealing with the world.

He had never fought or scrambled for anything, remaining beyond the Empire's gaze.

Strictly speaking, Chaghatai Khan and his Chogoris had not been subjects of the Empire, but a member state of the Imperium of Man. He had never truly submitted to the Emperor.

Even the Lion sometimes admired his brother's free-spirited, unrestrained nature.

He never cared about worldly opinions or others' judgments. Even though many believed the White Scars from Chogoris were barbarians much like the Space Wolves, he had never become angry.

If someone called the Lion a barbarian, they would probably have long since been secretly made to disappear by the Dark Angels.

The charge would be leaking the Legion's highest secrets. (Just kidding.)

But the Chaghatai before the Lion now looked entirely different. Wearing a Plague Crown, he resembled an arrogant sovereign, looking down upon his brother Lion El'Jonson.

It was as though he had been born as the master of all things, a god who ruled war, death, and plague.

"My brother, why have you become like this?" the Lion asked in grief.

He had originally thought swapping birthplaces with Leman Russ had been bad enough, but seeing Chaghatai's state, it was clear that he had been the luckier one.

The concentration of Chaos power on the other man's body nearly rivaled Horus.

Yet unlike the Wolf Lord, who bore a mixture of several Chaos powers, Chaghatai possessed only pure plague power.

Had Nurgle gone mad? This was no longer blessing a chosen champion. It was finding an heir.

Had losing Mortarion truly dealt such a devastating blow to the Lord of Plagues?