Bab 12: Mysterious Woman
The world around Joe began to unravel. The floor crumbled beneath him, the walls disintegrated into dust, and the ceiling dissolved, exposing the endless void of the warp above. Soon, even the sky itself seemed to peel away, leaving Joe weightless, suspended in a void.
He looked down and saw a vast plain stretching endlessly in all directions. The earth below wasn't brown or green, but a horrifying patchwork of corpses—humans, xenos, and unidentifiable monstrosities—covered the ground like a grotesque carpet. Blood pooled and congealed in rivers across the battlefield, staining everything a deep, sickening red. Joe's heart pounded as he took in the horrifying scene. "Is this… hell?" he whispered.
"It's not wrong to call it that," came Kayvan's voice, steady but grim. "But it's also not entirely right. This is a battlefield in the warp. Soon, a battle will rage here—one that will decide everything. The enemy is unimaginably powerful, and I must give everything I have to face it. Joe, listen to me carefully. Stay true to your heart. Don't let Chaos tempt you. Her words are poison, and they'll seep into your soul if you aren't careful. Whatever you do, don't believe her."
"Her? Chaos? What do you mean?" Joe asked, his voice trembling.
A sultry voice cut through the air, dripping with charm. "Chaos? Such a simplistic word."
Joe's gaze was drawn to the plain below as the corpses began to shift and rise, forming a grotesque mound. From the center of the heap, a hexagonal crystal platform emerged, glittering ominously. At its center stood a magnificent golden throne encrusted with dazzling jewels. Around the edges of the platform, six corners displayed something so mesmerizing, it rooted Joe to the spot.
The first corner was a pile of treasures: gold coins spilling like water, massive rubies, opals, and diamonds glinting in the faint light. A golden idol stood among them, radiating a hypnotic allure.
The second corner held a long banquet table laden with food and drink beyond imagination—succulent roasts, fresh fish, soft bread, and wines that sparkled in the light. Each dish exuded an irresistible aroma, and just as one plate vanished, a new, even more enticing one appeared in its place.
The third corner was filled with young men and women chained by their necks. Their flawless skin and seductive movements seemed designed to ignite desire. Every glance, every motion, exuded an intoxicating allure that tugged at the deepest recesses of the mind.
The other three corners were obscured by thick, swirling mist, their contents hidden from view.
Atop the golden throne sat a woman, her presence as intoxicating as it was commanding. Her elegant frame was draped in a black silk dress that clung to her like a second skin, its sheer fabric revealing tantalizing glimpses of the flesh beneath. Her deep, gentle eyes seemed to draw in the very soul, and her smile was both comforting and dangerous.
She leaned back, her voice like honey. "How childish it is to divide the galaxy into two simple sides—loyalty and heresy, justice and evil. Only the naïve see the world so simplistically. Adults understand that life is shades of gray, driven by personal interests. Don't you agree, Kayvan?"
Kayvan's voice was sharp and unwavering. "Enough of your games, daemon. I won't be swayed by your words."
The woman laughed softly, her tone almost pitying. "You're such a hypocrite, Kayvan. How long have you been running from me? Hiding behind your walls, plugging your ears, pretending I don't exist? I've waited so long, knocking at your door like a forgotten child, and you've ignored me every time. And now that we meet at last, you spew these harsh words at me? You fear me, don't you? Because deep down, you know I speak the truth."
Kayvan's fists clenched. "It's true. Once, I couldn't stand against you. My heart was too full of weakness, of desire. But not anymore. This ends now."
"Stop using that word; it's ridiculous and makes me laugh," the woman in the black robe waved her hand dismissively. "You talk about heresy and loyalty as if they mean something, but those ideas crumble under scrutiny. They're hollow concepts that fall apart the moment you think too deeply about them. But why waste time on such boring things? Look around you—at the wealth, the shimmering gold, the dazzling jewels. This is treasure beyond what most mortals could dream of possessing in a lifetime. And yet, it's yours for the taking.
"Kayvan, you've fought for the Imperium through life and death. You've dedicated your entire existence to protecting humanity—shielding them from alien horrors, exterminating countless alien races. Without you, how many would have been torn apart or reduced to fodder for their machines? And what did you get for your sacrifices? Nothing. Nothing but a pile of broken armor! After all you've done, all you've suffered, you stand here empty-handed!" Her voice was laced with sorrow, though her expression betrayed a certain cruelty.
"The lords of the Imperium? They're lounging in their palaces, drinking priceless amasec and gorging themselves. They exploit the poor, stash unimaginable wealth in secret vaults, and use their positions to indulge in every vile desire. And the governors?" She laughed bitterly. "They're worse than animals, taking any they please and killing anyone who dares displease them. They act like gods—but even gods have rules. These men are worse. And their children, their descendants, will inherit this power and continue the cycle of tyranny. This is the system you've dedicated your life to defending. Are these truly the people you're risking everything for?"
Kayvan stood firm, his voice calm but resolute. "It's my duty. I haven't given my life for nothing. I've earned honor in my service, and I hold faith in my heart."
"Honor? Faith?" The woman scoffed, her smile twisting into one of condescension. "Those medals? Those scraps of iron they pin on your chest? They're meaningless trinkets, Kayvan. And as for faith..." She chuckled, shaking her head as if addressing a naïve child. "You're fooling yourself. You have nothing."
Kayvan's gaze sharpened, his voice edged with cold defiance. "And what can you offer me that's any different?"
Her lips curved into a sly smile. "What do you desire? Wealth? I have that in abundance." She walked to a towering pile of gold coins, letting a handful slip through her fingers. The coins clinked and shimmered as they fell. "Listen to that sound. Isn't it beautiful? All of this could be yours. I can give you more wealth than you could ever spend. You could live in a palace of gold, Kayvan. Even your weapons could be gilded, if you wished."
"Cheap illusions," Kayvan sneered. "They're meaningless."
"Illusions? Perhaps," the woman admitted with a slight tilt of her head. "But feel them, touch them. These gold coins, these gems—they're indistinguishable from the real thing. The weight, the texture, the sound—they bring the same pleasure and satisfaction. Why concern yourself with whether something is real or not? Isn't enjoyment enough?" Her eyes glinted with malice, but Kayvan met her gaze with a derisive smile, full of mockery.
Her tone shifted suddenly, taking on a seductive lilt. "Ah, I see. Money doesn't move you. How about food, then? Here, try this." She gestured to an ornate table laden with dishes. "This is the belly meat of a sea-beast from an ocean death world. The finest cut. And this wine?" She held up a crystal goblet, swirling its dark liquid. "The aroma alone is intoxicating. To live without tasting something this divine—it's a tragedy, Kayvan."
"I eat to live, nothing more," Kayvan said coldly. "And I live to serve the God-Emperor."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone