Yvraine

Bona holstered his Bolt Pistol and picked up his Chainsword.

He walked over, grabbed the Succubus by the hair, hauled her upright, and pressed the Chainsword against her neck.

The Succubus was no longer beautiful. Mud and blood covered her face.

She looked at Bona with a smile.

"Looks like I underestimated you after all."

"Where is a Gladiator named Yvraine?"

"Oh, her. Keep going a little farther. The biggest spire-all the newcomers are there."

Bona gazed silently into her purple eyes, then released her and walked straight away.

The Succubus lay on the ground, watching the white-robed figure in the distance.

Heh. How interesting.

Yvraine lay utterly bored on her "bed," if something made from the corpses of countless dead wretches could be called a bed.

For someone who had arrived in Commorragh less than ten years ago, this was already very good treatment.

That also had something to do with her outstanding performance. After all, not everyone could become a "Succubus" in so little time.

Yvraine had originally belonged to the Craftworld Biel-Tan. Aboard that immense homeworld, she had completed every "Warrior Path," proving herself a rare genius.

But life aboard the Craftworld was too boring. Like many of her companions, Yvraine had left the protection of wraithbone and the Paths to become a pirate.

Although Slaanesh would devour her as a snack if she got killed, Yvraine was very satisfied with this fresh way of life.

Most days, she cruised aimlessly in her ship, occasionally robbing those red-robed little men of the Imperium of Man.

After all, they loved digging up tombs wherever they went. With luck, she might recover some lost Aeldari Holy Relics.

During a mutiny aboard her ship, she had been forced to flee into the Webway, arriving in Commorragh, the Webway city she had heard about since childhood.

Hmmmm...

To be honest, although life in Commorragh was terrible, that only applied to the majority of useless fools.

For a genius like her, who had quickly completed the Warrior Paths aboard a Craftworld, things had actually gone quite well. She had successfully joined a Wych Cult.

She had also earned the favor of Lady Maleris, Vect's capable lieutenant and consort. That was another reason she had become a Succubus so quickly.

Apparently, Lady Maleris would soon arrange a duel between her and Lelith, the Gladiator Queen.

If she could defeat Lelith and become Commorragh's rising star, she would have a chance to leave Commorragh.

Yvraine kicked the wall in frustration.

Though that was probably just a dream. After all, Commorragh would never let a brand-new star simply leave.

A Craftworld Aeldari prodigy had fallen to become a seductive Succubus queen in the Arena. Just listen to that-what a sensational story! All of Commorragh would buy out the tickets to Lady Maleris's Arena!!!

And the only fate awaiting a Succubus was to die in the Arena sooner or later.

Yvraine stamped her foot against the wall even more angrily.

"Heavens, will someone please come save me!"

"Even an Ork or a monkey would do..."

Suddenly, Yvraine saw her manager fly backward like a cannonball and slam into the wall, turning into a pulp.

She stared at the sight in shock, until someone in a white robe walked in...

A human.

Bona glanced at the Scroll in his hand, then at the Succubus before him, who, for some reason, was lying the wrong way around on her bed.

Yes, she matches the portrait.

"Your name is Yvraine?" Bona asked in halting Aeldari Language.

"It is."

Bona tossed the parchment into the air, where it burned to ashes.

"By order of Roboute Guilliman, I'm taking you out of here."

Yvraine got up, then stood.

"Roboute Guilliman? Who is he? Why did he order you to rescue me?"

Bona shrugged.

"Sorry, I'm only following orders."

"Our warship is ready. Please don't waste time."

"You humans brought your warship all the way in here?" Yvraine asked in astonishment.

"Yes."

Yvraine felt as though the sky were about to fall.

That rotten, oversized garbage heap, the Imperium of Man, can fight its way into the Webway city of Commorragh now???

The Aeldari Empire may have fallen on hard times, but surely not this far.

"Please hurry. We don't have much time," Bona said.

If I don't run now, when will I?

"All right."

GW's official artwork is too ugly (she looks like a man), so I'll show you some fan art instead.

Yvraine hurried after Bona, trembling at the sight of corpses strewn all along the way.

This human seemed to have bulldozed his way through, smashing every guard he encountered.

But when bright light appeared before her again, Yvraine's smile gradually froze.

Dark silhouettes overhead nearly blotted out the sky, and Commorragh's supreme ruler sat aboard the Luxury Airship, watching the farce with interest.

"Well, well. How interesting today has been. A human sneaking into Commorragh to rescue a Craftworld Aeldari-has the world outside changed?" Vect said with a smile.

Lady Maleris beside him wore a dark expression.

"Yvraine, is this how you repay me for elevating you?"

Yvraine went pale, suddenly at a loss for words.

Just then, a tall figure darted over from the side and removed his Kabalite Warrior helmet.

Yvraine recognized him at once.

Her mentor from the Craftworld-Visarch!

"Mentor, what are you doing here?"

"Quiet. This is an emergency."

Bishop Visarch shot Yvraine a vicious glare, then turned a resentful gaze on the foolish human.

Then he bowed with utmost respect to Vect, seated high above.

"Lord Vect, I am Visarch, a Bishop of Craftworld Biel-Tan."

"My student, like a lost lamb, was unfortunately led astray by this human into committing such a foolish act."

"I beg your mercy. Craftworld Biel-Tan will forge a deep friendship with you."

Vect sneered. Rather than answer Visarch, he gently stroked Lady Maleris's hair.

"Tell me, what should we do in a situation like this?"

Lady Maleris regarded them expressionlessly.

"Cut off all their hands and feet, skin them, and hang them over the Arena gates until the Black Sun goes out."

In an instant, both Yvraine and Visarch went pale.

If Vect decided to do that, no one could stop him.

Just then, another voice suddenly rang out.

Bona looked expressionlessly at Vect high above.

"I came to Commorragh to take Yvraine away. No one can stop me."

Vect chuckled.

"Including me?"

"Including everyone."

Vect laughed. It had been a long time since anyone had entertained him this much-and a human, no less.

"Since you've made me laugh, I'll give you a chance. I want to see how you do it."

Bona looked at Vect with a faint smile of his own.

His eyes shone, and a thin line suddenly appeared in the space behind him.

Then the line seemed to be pulled open, creating a rift into the Warp. Pink mist and decadent music spilled out.

Led by six Keepers of Secrets, six entire Slaanesh Daemon Hosts crossed the Veil with sinister grins. They looked exceedingly excited, their eyes filled with longing.

Vect's still-smiling face froze, turning into grinning_like_an_idiot.jpg.