Kapitel 13: I'm Only Human
24 minutes before self destruction sequence activation.
"He WHAT!"
Duraeus was flabbergasted at his son's utter disregard of safety.
"He just made this more complicated than it is." – 'He probably thought it best to destroy the base from the inside. A sound strategy, if there was no easier way to do so… but there was.'
"All you needed to do was shoot the big glowing circle at its belly and be done with it," Dureaus mumbles, hand covering his face in disbelief.
"What are we to do father?" Dembit asked, occasionally hearing gun fire from his end– albeit weakly.
Dureaus gazes at the weakened fortress once again, "like any good father would, help his son learn from this mess he made."
The question is: how? No, that's not the question. When it comes to combat, it's always violence… the only question to be had is how much of it.
"All active units retreat miles away from this area. That thing is bound to explode any minute and I don't want any of you dying by stray debris," Dureaus ordered, completely trusting Xarvass to complete his assumed tasked of blowing it from the inside.
Devastators abandoned their entrenchment and retreated with the rest of the marines. Squads entering Rhinos and Razorbacks, all armored support leading the back of the retreat. Assault marines flying in the sky like a gaggle of geese. They followed their gene-sire's order with no hesitation.
"As for you father?" Frymrorth asked through vox.
"Like I said, time to be a father," Dureaus answered.
"If I may ask for a favor, do kick our brethren's ass for us," Aze added.
Dureaus responded, "Heh, do it yourself."
Then, the last of his sons step foot outside of the combat zone. Walking fortress and titanical demi-god dragon, face to face. A not so even fight, the fortress smokes as its guns were amputated into non-existence. Its legs decommissioned, still as a statue, a wounded prey in the open.
"It's time."
A short sprint, a jump and a wind up, Dureaus smashes himself inside of the fortress– creating a large explosion that shakes the entire fortress slightly.
A brief moment, getting himself familiar with the newfound terrain. Rounded, best way to describe the alien interior. Rounded in which everything seemed to be in a continuous curve. Alien, to be sure. Floors, walls, ceilings– all shiny as if recently waxed. Weird containers containing purple liquids. Yes, alien to be sure.
No words or thoughts trailed his mind as Dureaus walked proudly, not caring if he is to be spotted. Why care when you have the strength to silence anything with one strike, given the motivation.
"Good to see our bombardment is effective."
That was Xarvass's voice. Even though distorted and filtered by their helms, Dureaus knows his sons well.
"That felt bigger than it should be." Another voice, seems to be from the squad Xarvass entered with.
By their sound, they haven't attributed the loud explosion to be their Primarch. Unequipping his mighty suit, he found and stalked his gene-sons from the shadows. Much of the very same happened; Xarvass and co. obliterated their way across large halls and rooms. Taking some damage here and there, none were really injured as their armor held up. Tattered and broken, they entered the main control room.
Dureaus watched, observing his marines in action. He noticed that Xarvass let the sergeant order his men freely more often than not. Xarvass mostly did his own thing but also made sure it wasn't detrimental to the others. Positioning, that's what made him special was his ability to be wherever his allies needed him to be. Every strike he made was critical, ever the swordsman.
Now faced with the heavily armored cosmonaut, Drueaus watched the entire fight transpire before. At some point in time, his hands flinched. Two marines flatlined, one marine stood his ground and fired shot after shot, his bolt pistol smoking as he expertly reloaded one-handed.
Two marines died, one injured… yet he hid himself behind the veil of inaction. Seconds in, another has fallen. A choice that would forever push forward his sons of Dragons as they fought harder– Xarvass fought harder– all of which comes at a cost. Seeing such a sight, he steeled his resolve. Now is not the time to be weak. This is his son's battle, he shall provide no other support, even if it means their death. Not until their mission is finished. But was that the right call?
Blue eyes in the shadow, piercing vertical sapphire. He shall see this through. He shall see what his sons are capable of.
—Plgglhk!
Lifeless and limb, the cosmonaut goes down on its knees. A hard revving of a chainsword and Xarvass frees himself from the confines of that alien's jugular. Looks like the play is about to end.
[Self destruction sequence initiated] a robotic voice announced in another language. Already deciphered by Dureaus just by listening to the insults hurled by them damned xenos.
Three minutes, down to seconds. Xarvass and the rest carried and placed fallen brothers near each other. The living surrounded them. All in silence in honor of the fallen. Today, brothers have deployed and pardoned themselves of life with a smile on their faces. They fought as dragons… and died as one.
Time ticked. From 20, to ten… five, two–
"Return to stronghold," from the shadow their Primarch emerged in fiery armor.
"Fa–"
Xarvass wasn't able to finish his word as portals sucked them all into their stronghold. Their armors and equipment tended to automatically. The bodies of the fallen were too sent to the stronghold.
"I'll remember your names: Bhelven, Yurgan, Urus, and every other marine… every other son that called, fought, and died under the Dragon. For the Emperor, even now, you died for the Imperium." Dureaus gave his parting words–
[1]
Before the clock struck one–
—BOOM!
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"How do you think father is fairing?" Frymrorth asked.
Frym gazed at the distant walking fortress. His mind worried, occupied by his brothers and gene-father. The Legion has retreated per order of their Primarch. They all retreated down south, about a ten clicks away. Marines dismounted and mingled amongst each other, awaiting further orders. Some silently fangirl as they see the Legion's Keepers of the Dragon in all their glory. Aze sat atop a Rhino he rode in, separate from Dembit and Frym who were standing side by side. The open plains and farmland gave everyone a clear view of the fortress.
"He'll be fine, brother," Dembit answered to reassure Frymrorth.
"Disperse," Aze ordered in the distance.
Dembit and Frymrorth turned to see Aze order Assault and Tactical marines, scattering them into defensive and scouting positions.
"Brother Aze has his mind set elsewhere– say, when did you become such a worrywart? Wouldn't have pegged you as someone… well like brother Xarvass." Dembit comment.
Frymrorth grunts, that being his answer. Dembit shakes his head, a smile underneath his helm.
—WOMP–PUFFFF!
"By the Dragon– EVERYONE! BRACE YOURSELF!"
Dembit was heard and heeded. Marines took shelter behind their tanks, some even entered and readied themselves. Those that couldn't kneeled and hunkered down, bolter or chainsword on hand and across their chest. Aze took cover behind their metal boxes. Dembit nestled his shield on the dirt and kneeled behind it as is.
"You doing well brother?" Frymrorth asked, a hint of amusement behind every word. He stood tall, embracing the sudden surge of energy.
Dembit turned his head and stared up at his brother in terminator armor. A bit of sass upon his body language; and Dembit caught on, "you have terminator armor on, not another word."
Frymrorth answers in silence, letting his small victory– childish– yet still a victory stew in his mind and moment.
A large explosion covered the fortress. No longer in sight as a mushroom cloud formed from the explosion. A cloud almost like a tsunami formed underneath the puff of smoke– and growing closer and closer.
"HOLD!"
Like a wave of semi-trucks the force upon the black cloud covered the Legion. Seconds turn to minutes as the dust settles. Marines stood their ground only being dirtied by the foul air that passed through. One by one the marines stood out from their hunkered down position like necrons awaking from their long slumber. They gathered around, brothers stood amongst their own side by side.
"Keeper Dembit, do you know what happened?" a marine asked.
"Our Primarch's theory came to pass, the fortress exploded– presumably by Keeper Xarvass and the brothers he took with him," He replied.
"And of our Primarch?" another asked.
This time, Frymrorth answered, "Look ahead."
So they did only to see a large armored being standing a little more than 14 feet tall with that silver and gold fiery armor. With him were fellow brethren looking worse for wear. One having lost an arm and having to be assisted in walking as another brother shoulders an arm.
Aze locks in on Xarvass and starts power walking.
"Oh shit," Dembit comments.
"Indeed," Frymrorth added. Both Dembit and him in amusement.
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"How did you survive," Xarvass asked me.
I'm questioning myself that as well, "I simply tanked it."
My answer to Xarvass left him standing on own tracks and turned back. The wreckage the explosion left affected everything with miles. Xarvass saw the after effect, "you survive the heart of an explosion that would be comparable to a small nuke… and all you have to say about it is you simply tanked it? Father, are you serious?"
I chuckled at Xarvass's dumbfounded reaction at my rather simple yet truthful solution to that problem. I simply turned around and walked backwards whilst looking at him and shrugged my shoulders.
"Yes," I said matter of factly before turning around to meet up with the rest of the Legion. I can hear him sigh underneath his helm before chuckling and to what I assume just let my whimsical actions be. As we walked a marine walked up to me.
"Lord father," he starts, his voice shaky, "you could've saved the three of them… you could've saved Bhelven, Yurgan, and Urus– you were there watching us fight. Why didn't you participate?"
Knew this was coming, "I thought it was needed, that it was your fight and needed no hand holding," I started. I felt the others slow their steps to match ours. Ears focused on our conversation.
"It didn't need to be that way. Simply keep shooting the exposed underbelly and the fortress would've been destroyed. But young Xarvass thought of a different plan."
"You're blaming me now father?" Xarvass felt offended.
"You're actions led to the death of those marines, Xarvass. But in the end, the fault lies with me for it seems I didn't make my orders clear."
I stopped, eyed the marine that asked the question– visor to visor. He didn't look away and met my gaze as he and the rest of the remaining squads stopped too, "Vrain, was it?" I asked, to which he nodded.
"Yes father."
"I felt it would be detrimental to your growth if I were to step in. To me, I saw my sons take flight like young dragons exploring," I explained.
"But when I saw the three die, I felt a rage as I felt out in the battlefield. Watching your brothers die in the sky rendered me wrathful, yet I calmed and listened to reason, that being that I can't be there to hold your hands– that I can't save every marine in battle– that there will be casualties."
I gaze up in the sky, I realize that those words are true… but not then. I lied to myself and it led to my inaction… that led to their deaths. I… should've saved them.
I clenched my fist and gazed at him, at young Vrain. Taking my helmet off, I kneeled, showing humility as I showed him my face. I wanted him to see my remorse– the mistake of my ways.
"I failed to keep your brothers safe, I failed to keep a son of mine safe. I lied that it was for your own growth, but that doesn't change the fact that I had the chance to save them– to step in and end the fight before anyone got hurt. I realize I can't save everyone– that is a fact. But I failed to see those that are savable."
I lowered my head as I awaited his words. He and the rest still had to look up as I kneeled.
"Forgive me, my son," My voice was not shaky but had humility and vulnerability. Pure in my own vocals as I had my helmet off..
"There's no need for forgiveness, father."
Surprised, everyone including I turned to the source. The marine with a missing limb said such words.
"You have not committed any sin here today father," he continues, "you did as any leader would do, that being what they thought best at the given situation. You thought best for our future– better to feel hardship and loss now than later. Our duty is to fight, we fight for humanity, for you and your vision. You understand father, your vision– not the Emperor's or the Ecclesiarchy– your vision."
"You're sounding heretical right now brother," a fellow marine jest, his tone light and whimsical.
I heard a small chuckle from the others, it seems heresy is a light topic– showing more insight in the workings of their minds.
The marine with a missing limb turns to Vrain who looks down to think. Then, he takes his own helm off, squared and stoic face with a buzzcut. Eye to eye, father and son, a heart to heart talk. The marines' eyes have that same vertical pupil like mine.
"I don't forgive you father," Vrain stated, "for you have nothing to be forgiven for. You have done what most of us fall to from time to time. I only ask that you not make the same mistake twice," his voice sounded threatening on that last part, but to me it was like a 8 year old child trying to be relevant in something. Not to take away from the situation, just an observation.
"I just… I feel frustrated is all– their deaths– the loss of multiple brothers. That lapse in judgment led to me pinning the blame on someone… foolishly led to you.
With a steeled heart, I smiled, "thank you for giving me another chance, Vrain."
He looks away, almost bashful, "I thank you for caring."
With our newly found relation amended. I took my helm back on and walked forward with my marines in tow. On the corner of my eye I saw Xarvass talking to them. Let's just say he took responsibility as well.
It wasn't long before we saw the rest of the Legion, my Keeper Aze came running towards us… quite maliciously. He came sprinting past before spartan kicking Xarvass on the chest– who had his arms out wide for a hug. Only to continue to beat his ass as Xarvass pleaded for him to stop.
I guess he did as I suggested, which was to beat his own brother's ass himself.
…
Today, I relearned a lesson from my past life… a lesson in hesitation, humiliation, and the detrimental awareness of lying to oneself.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein