Seraphs of the Emperor’s Judgment

Chapter 30: Only In Death Does Duty End

The evening sun shone on the mountaintops as a Thunderhawk roared and landed on the carefully concealed landing pad, like a ray of light plunging straight into the peaks.

This massive transport had descended rapidly from orbit, but at this moment its movements were cautious, much like a scavenger approaching the corpse of a beast that should be dead, but still looked alive.

After the Thunderhawk's hatch opened amidst the hiss of steam, a Space Marine straightened his cape and stepped out. Swirling air currents eddied around him, seeming to want to tear his cape from the midnight-black armor.

Following behind him, warriors from two squads marched out of the landing pad in an assault formation.

Subsequently, the leading Space Marine took off his helmet and hung it at his waist, his hand firmly gripping the pristine grip of a bolter that had not fired a single shot.

These Space Marines communicated briefly, then walked forward, leaving the landing pad.

Before them loomed a towering double door made of wood and bronze.

This was not a route used for combat operations, but a ceremonial entrance and exit, a path leading deep into the mountain's interior.

The leading Space Marine took the initiative and walked towards the door. The other black-armored warriors in the squad also followed him in perfect rhythm. In their hands, they each held a black shield carved in ivory with a pair of crossed swords pointing upwards, and one of the standard bearers held high a banner bearing the same heraldry.

This was a brand-new badge of honor, yet it simultaneously gave off the impression of possessing an ancient history.All of this was being watched by the fortress's current master. From the moment they left the landing pad, a pair of eyes had been watching them continuously.

"They are here."

Soshyan said in a deep voice.

"I know."

A reply came from Brother Zayd's speakers.

"I could have killed them a dozen times since they descended from orbit."

"They are reckless, untested, and very young, just like me."

Hearing Soshyan's words, Brother Zayd rarely revealed his human side, answering with exaggerated laughter,

"You have never been young. From the moment you entered the Chapter, you have been as mature as an old man."

"Yes, I am no longer young."

Soshyan sighed, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist, hoping he wouldn't need to draw it later.

"Death matures us."

Soshyan knew the origins of this squad of Space Marines extremely well. In fact, Lysander had already passed on the High Lords of Terra's decision to Soshyan before they even arrived.

They were the newly formed Sable Swords Chapter, coming to take over the Astral Knights' Monastery-Fortress and all their assets, including the Chapter Serfs and recruitment worlds.

Soshyan had anticipated such a situation long ago, so he had preemptively transferred the important supplies from the monastery to a secret orbital warehouse and wiped all the records. Only some unimportant scraps remained in the monastery armory.

But even so, the humiliation of being about to lose his home still made Soshyan's heart ache.

Crucially, although a strike cruiser, the 'Starfire', was still stationed in orbit, they had in principle lost control of this warship. To leave now, they had to persuade these uninvited guests.

It wasn't that Soshyan hadn't thought about leaving early, but his sense of honor wouldn't allow it. Even if he was to abandon his home, as an Imperial Chapter Master, he had to hand it over to the successors personally, rather than scurrying away.

On the hololith, the squad had already entered the fortress's Hall of Honor.

Their footsteps echoed in this hall that should have been filled with the shouts of warriors ready to plunge into war at any moment, but was now as silent as a grave. Dust had accumulated on the hooded statues lining both sides. Only the flickering glow radiating from the neatly arranged flames illuminated this once-grand forecourt.

A skull drifting in midair hovered in the center of the hall, an oil lamp hanging from its lower jaw. As the squad of warriors approached, the skull wobbled backwards.

Guided by the servo-skull, they walked deeper and deeper, passing through empty corridors and vacant passageways. Countless statues were illuminated by the firelight, their lifeless eyes watching this group of strangers. The once glorious avenue would no longer echo with songs of triumph upon a warrior's return from a campaign.

A thousand warriors had once lived and trained here, but now nothing was left. Everyone could feel pain and confusion oozing from every stone.

Death shrouded this place.

Finally, the servo-skull led them into a massive auditorium. Its gleaming walls were reflected in different colors by over a dozen stained-glass windows, which were part of an ingeniously designed reflection system that channeled external light into the heart of the mountain.

Thirty-four silver-armored warriors stood on the steps at the far end of the room, bathed in the dying sun's embers.

The warrior at the forefront wore an Iron Halo, with a Dreadnought standing tall beside him. The proud Chapter banner was blown by the artificial air currents filling the room, resembling sigh after sigh.

"I am Soshyan Alexey, the new Chapter Master of the Astral Knights Chapter."

Soshyan gave a brief self-introduction, and then the Dreadnought beside him also spoke.

"I am Brother Zayd, the mentor of the Astral Knights, the Lord of Obsidian."

"First Captain of the Sable Swords Chapter, Brother Dagan."

The leader similarly responded.

"So, you have come here to take over our Monastery-Fortress and all the assets within?"

"Yes, these are the orders of the Emperor and the High Lords of Terra."

Soshyan walked down from the steps, each step accompanied by anger.

"For a Chapter that has given everything to the Imperium, this is an ending with nothing left! This mountain range was once home to hundreds of generations of Astral Knights. The greatest heroes have departed from these gates to participate in brutal war after brutal war. Tell me, how are you worthy of possessing this place."

"Your numbers are too few. You can no longer bear the responsibility of rebuilding the Chapter."

As Dagan spoke, he walked up to Soshyan, looking at the warrior who was a head taller than him.

"All your veterans have died in battle, and not long ago you were merely a recruit yourself."

"You are telling us something we already know."

Brother Zayd abruptly interrupted Dagan. The roar blaring from the Dreadnought's external speakers made the Sable Swords recruits tense up. It was evident that the survivors of this destroyed Chapter were unwilling to accept their fate.

"Our brothers sacrificed their lives to free billions of souls from xenos terrors. Is this the reward we should receive!"

The Dreadnought roared as he stepped down the stairs.

"We are to be erased from the records, and our fortress handed over to a bunch of warriors with no history?"

Still maintaining his composure, Dagan shook his head.

"The Sable Swords may indeed be young and untested, but we are not without honor, nor do we disrespect those who sacrificed themselves before us."

"Then speak."

Soshyan size up Dagan. This was undeniably an excellent warrior: calm, composed, neither overly humble nor overly arrogant.

"What will you do to prove yourselves worthy of our sacrifice?"

As Soshyan asked his question, Brother Zayd's fists clenched with a metallic clanging.

Dagan noticing this from the corner of his eye, realizing the Dreadnought could smash him to pulp in an instant, but then met Soshyan's equally tough gaze.

"You will be given a chance to continue your proud traditions. There is a strike cruiser in orbit. You may board her and leave, just as the Astral Knights did before being entombed in rock and steel. Step into the stars once more, and continue to fight in the Emperor's name until you can fight no more."

Saying so, the Sable Swords stepped aside, making a path leading out of the room.

"When that day comes, you will know that only in death does duty end."

Everything went smoothly after that. Not only did Dagan hand the strike cruiser over to Soshyan, but he also allowed him to take those Serfs willing to continue following the Astral Knights Chapter, such as Rozim Pulimki, the Chapter Chef who was selected around the same time as Soshyan but hadn't been able to undergo augmentation.

After packing up simply for half a day, Soshyan led the Chapter members to board the strike cruiser, the Starfire.

One of the first things Soshyan did after boarding was have the Astropath send a message telling them not to ship that batch of resupply equipment the Chapter had previously ordered. They would come to collect it personally.

And their destination was precisely the Forge World M'Khand II.

"Start the Warp engines, full speed ahead to M'Khand II."

On the command bridge, looking at Obstelia gradually turning into a point of light, Soshyan clenched his gauntlet.

Their Chapter had become rootless debris from now on. But one day, he would definitely rebuild an even more magnificent fortress, a legion fortress!