Khorne's Sanctuary

Meanwhile, Bona was pondering how to hack Horus to death.

Yes, that really was what he was thinking.

Anyone who tried to hurt his father would have to fight him to the bitter end.

"We're here, child."

Bona looked up and saw a magnificent, immense city.

The great, square city appeared abruptly before him. Eight straight avenues led into it, dividing the city into eight square districts that surrounded the enormous central fortress.

The city was heavily guarded. A vast moat encircled it, and heavily armored soldiers could occasionally be seen patrolling with hounds on leashes.

Eight tall, imposing warriors screened those entering at the gates. Bona saw warriors of all sorts of races.

He even saw Orks and Aeldari!

"They haven't started fighting? Grandpa Malcador said they were mortal enemies."

"Private fights are forbidden here."

The supreme voice echoed in Bona's mind.

"Orks and Aeldari have never gotten along, but they are all noble warriors, aren't they? Noble warriors may die on the battlefield or in the arena, but they should not die in meaningless fights like that."

Bona nodded a little blankly. That seemed to... make sense.

They reached the first dueling arena, where a human and a green-skinned Ork stood below.

"Waaagh!"

"Courage and glory!"

The human was merely a somewhat sturdier mortal, wearing a uniform Bona had never seen before.

He was brave, charging straight at the enormous green-skinned Ork with a bayonet fixed to his Lasgun.

The mortal slid between the Ork's legs, evading a crushing blow, then fired his Lasgun into the Ork's back.

But the Ork's armor was sturdy, if that thing that looked like an iron door could even be called "armor."

The Ork tried to turn around and hack the humie to death, but the mortal swiftly rolled away and fired his Lasgun at the Ork's eyes.

"Argh, me eye! I'm gonna kill you, you stinkin' humie!" One of the Ork's eyes had been shot out.

He opened his remaining eye to find the humie already right in front of him, trying to stab him with the bayonet.

The Ork grabbed the man.

"Ha! Got you, humie!" the Ork shouted gleefully.

But the stinking humie showed none of the fear he had expected. Instead, the man smiled and pulled something on the object in his hand.

Only then did the green-skinned Ork notice it was a Melta Bomb.

"Die, xenos!"

With a blinding flash of flame, both figures vanished in the searing blast of the Melta Bomb.

The ground melted, molten rock flowing across it, but it swiftly began to heal as though nothing had happened.

Creatures of every kind cheered from the stands, celebrating the fierce battle.

"See, child? Everyone here is a skilled fighter. It's a fine place for you to hone your skills."

Khorne had thought Bona might be frightened, but instead, the boy closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"All right. Thank you for telling me all this."

He picked up the Chainsword engraved with the Imperial Aquila and entered the dueling arena.

Only to discover that the first thing he had to do once inside was... queue.

Yes, queue.

Bona looked at those waiting ahead of him: one Aeldari, two humans, and a dozen or so creatures he did not recognize at all.

Human language might have been inadequate to describe them. After all, the distinction between their "limbs" and "torsos" was rather blurry. Bona could only make rough guesses based on where they wore their gear.

And as luck would have it, the pointy-eared Aeldari stood directly in front of him.

"Mon-keigh."

The Aeldari muttered the word, but Bona did not understand it.

Bona felt a little bored. It seemed he had not brought that book with the Hexagram on it.

So he stood there and tried reviewing the techniques for using psyker power that Grandpa Malcador had taught him.

The Aeldari ahead turned back in surprise, staring at the psychic lightning dancing on Bona's fingertips.

How was this fellow's psyker power... so pure?

Exceptional psychic talent alone would not have surprised him, but he had never seen psyker power so utterly immaculate.

Even the great Farseers of the Aeldari probably did not possess psyker power this pure. Perhaps only their ancient ancestors had.

But he was human! Just a monkey!

Why would a monkey have such a pure soul?????

Bona reviewed how to use his psyker power and felt much better.

At least he would not have to worry about his psyker power potentially running out of control.

"Hey, you."

Bona looked at the tall Aeldari.

"What?"

"What's going on with your psyker power?"

"None of your business."

Bona could not be bothered with him.

The Aeldari grew impatient and grabbed Bona's shoulder.

"You have to explain."

But Bona instantly flung him away, sending him tumbling to one side.

The Aeldari angrily drew his Warblade, inlaid with patterned stones, only to see a Bloodthirster nearby staring fixedly at him.

Khorne enjoyed battle, but that did not mean he enjoyed disruptive behavior.

So the Aeldari could only reluctantly put his weapon away and return to his place.

Bona snorted and paid him no further attention.

Although he thought Aeldari looked much like humans, these fellows were nothing like humans.

Grandpa Malcador had said these Aeldari liked capturing humans for their amusement, and Bona had also seen Aeldari attacking human ships in the vision.

The great gate ahead rumbled, and cheers from outside poured in.

The alien creature at the front walked out, and the gate lowered again.

With little else to do, Bona sat down and carefully wiped the weapon in his hands.

It was just a very ordinary Chainsword, bearing the Imperium's skull-and-Aquila emblem.

Though he did not know why, Bona felt that the Chainsword must be very excited right now.

He gave it a couple of light swings.

I hope I can quickly grow stronger here, so I can hack Horus to death and save Father.

Wish me luck.