Mortarion's rage subsided as quickly as it had flared. Standing amidst the dissipating haze of corruption, his towering figure became an unmistakable symbol of authority and wrath.
Beneath his helmet, his cold, piercing gaze locked onto the chaotic "Raven Guard" emerging from the portal.
The next moment—
Shrrk—Splurch—BOOM!
The sounds of bodies breaking, flesh bursting, and armor shattering echoed in succession.
The corrupted "Raven Guard" had no chance to retaliate. Mortarion's strikes were swift, precise, and devastating. His scythe Silence sang through the air, its every swing imbued with pure, destructive power.
Bodies were cleaved in two, their twisted forms collapsing in grotesque heaps. Chaotic blood, thick and reeking of decay, sprayed in all directions, staining every corner of the battlefield.
In mere moments, every corrupted Astartes that had emerged from the portal lay dead, reduced to a pile of mutilated corpses.
Mortarion didn't waste any time. At some point, he had retrieved a metal container from his armor.
His helmet's green visor narrowed, focusing on the mutilated remains of one "Raven Guard." Without hesitation, he reached out with a gauntleted hand and forcibly tore open the warped chest cavity, ripping out a still-intact gene-seed.
Click!
The container automatically opened, and Mortarion placed the gene-seed inside before sealing it tightly.
As the chaotic portal connecting the Immaterium and reality showed no signs of closing, Mortarion knew his task here was done.
Though he was more than capable of continuing to fight and kill, lingering in this corrupted place was a waste of his time and energy. The events he had witnessed weighed heavily on him, and there were far more urgent matters to address.
With that, Mortarion swiftly withdrew from the underground city, ascending back to the planet's surface. Once there, his armor synchronized with the systems aboard the Retribution-class battleship.
Zhoom—!!
A beam of blue-green light enveloped Mortarion, and in an instant, his massive frame disappeared alongside the column of energy.
Aboard the Retribution-class battleship, in the teleportation bay:
The teleportation platform flashed with an intense blue-green light, as though the fabric of space had been torn apart and hastily stitched back together.
When the blinding glow faded, Mortarion's imposing figure stood on the central platform, returned from Kuikanto's surface.
His helmet disengaged with a soft hiss, revealing his stoic face. Like an ancient, immovable statue, his sharp eyes scanned every corner of the bay, his presence exuding an unyielding authority.
"Father."
A white-armored Apothecary had been waiting in the bay and stepped forward to greet Mortarion with a respectful bow.
The Apothecary's voice was steady, but there was a hint of tension in his tone. It was clear he understood the gravity of this mission.
Mortarion said nothing at first. He silently handed the metal container to the Apothecary before speaking in his deep, gravelly voice:
"Analyze the composition of this gene-seed immediately."
He paused briefly, his tone becoming even more serious as he added, "Take every precaution. Do not allow even the slightest chance of contamination aboard this ship."
The Apothecary nodded solemnly and accepted the container with both hands. "Understood, Father. I will personally oversee every step to ensure absolute safety."
Satisfied with the response, Mortarion gave a curt nod and turned to leave. His heavy footsteps echoed through the bay as he made his way toward the bridge, each step deliberate and unyielding.
As he walked, Mortarion activated the ship's internal communication system, issuing a series of commands:
"Effective immediately, this ship is under full quarantine protocols. No personnel are to leave the vessel or the designated isolation zones."
He continued, his tone brooking no argument.
"Tyberos and the surviving honor guard from the Carcharodons are to undergo comprehensive examinations, including psychological evaluations and physical screenings. Any abnormalities are to be reported immediately—no delays."
The moment Tyberos and his surviving warriors had escaped the underground city, they had been transported to the Retribution-class battleship alongside the Deathshroud via the ship's short-range teleportation systems.
As such, they were now classified as "priority observation subjects."
Mortarion remained silent as he continued toward the bridge. Yet, inside, his thoughts churned like a storm.
On the bridge:
Mortarion returned to the central control console, standing silently before the numerous displays. His stern face was illuminated by the cool blue glow of the holographic screens.
Prominent among the commands displayed on the screens were two distinct options, rendered in bold, decisive characters: Saturation Bombardment and Exterminatus Protocol.
These words burned like flames in Mortarion's vision, urging him toward the impending act of destruction.
Raising his gaze, Mortarion stared out of the observation window at Kuikanto's snow-covered surface below.
Even from orbit, it was as though he could still hear the whispers and moans of the corruption seeping across the planet's surface.
And more than that, he could still hear the faint cries of "help" and "persuasion" from those who claimed to be his "sons" on the other side of the portal.
Yet, the cold determination in Mortarion's eyes remained unwavering. There was no sign of hesitation.
Reaching out with a steady hand, he pressed the holographic button—
The Exterminatus Protocol was initiated.
Outside the ship:
As Mortarion activated the command, the sleek, blade-like Retribution-class battleship adjusted its orientation. Its prow, shaped like a dagger, pointed directly at Kuikanto.
Along the flanks of the ship, multiple launchers opened, releasing nearly a hundred diamond-shaped metallic rods of varying lengths.
As these rods emitted brilliant streams of ionized light, they arranged themselves in a perfect diamond matrix in front of the ship's prow.
Each node in the matrix glowed with a cold white light, the energy within pulsing like the veins of a star.
Ri~——Zhoom——!!!
A massive, two-kilometer-wide beam of concentrated energy erupted from the matrix's apex, tearing through space like a celestial blade. The brilliant blue-green energy pierced the region of Kuikanto's underground city, where the chaos portal lay.
The impact site quaked violently as the planet's crust crumbled under the sheer force of the energy. Rock and soil were vaporized in an instant, collapsing the geological layers thousands of meters deep.
Buildings in the underground city were obliterated as if made of paper. Every living being and every trace of Chaos corruption within was reduced to nothingness.
The destructive energy expanded outward in a searing wave, incinerating everything in its path. The shockwave rolled across the landscape with apocalyptic force, turning the surface of Kuikanto into a molten sea of fire and magma.
From orbit, the planet's surface appeared as though it had been set ablaze. The destruction spread rapidly, blanketing the entire region in flames and molten rock.
In mere minutes, the original terrain of Kuikanto was erased. What remained was an inferno, a vast lake of lava that would take millions, perhaps billions of years to cool and once again support life.
The planet's surface, battered and fractured, began to collapse under the relentless assault.
Finally, the energy buildup within Kuikanto triggered a chain reaction, causing the entire planet to implode.
Fissures spread across the surface like a spiderweb, magma surging upward in an unstoppable tide. The planet's core destabilized, and with one final, soul-rending BOOM, Kuikanto shattered into countless fragments.
Aboard the fleet:
Despite the sheer scale of destruction, the Carcharodon and Raven Guard fleets remained unaffected.
Under Mortarion's earlier orders, the ships had positioned themselves at a safe distance and activated their high-energy shields to block the effects of the planetary explosion.
Crew members operated with precision, maneuvering their vessels through the expanding field of debris with calculated ease.
As the last of Kuikanto's fragments drifted into the void, the fleet's formation remained intact, a testament to the technological superiority of the Retribution-class and its escorts.
Mortarion gazed out of the observation window at the void where Kuikanto had once been. The fiery remnants of the planet glittered in the darkness like a scattering of embers.
Yet, despite his apparent victory, the shadow over Mortarion's heart remained.
The corrupted "Raven Guard" who had emerged from the portal—what were they? Why did they bear the unmistakable essence of his sons?
And the words of the Great Unclean One, calling him the "favored child of the Father"—what did they truly mean?
These questions festered in Mortarion's mind, leaving him deeply unsettled.
Breaking the silence, Mortarion issued a command to his fleet:
"Maintain vigilance. Quarantine protocols remain in effect until we receive further instructions from the Imperium. Under no circumstances are we to re-enter the warp."
"Yes, Father," the Astartes aboard responded, their tones laced with respect but tinged with worry.
Even as they obeyed, the Carcharodons and Raven Guard sensed something unusual. Their Primarch was not his usual self. Beneath Mortarion's stoic exterior, they could feel the faint tremors of confusion and suppressed fury.
Mortarion left the bridge and returned to his private quarters, his heavy footsteps echoing down the silent corridors.
Though his stride remained purposeful, his resolve unshaken, he knew he needed answers.
In Mortarion's quarters:
The chamber was as austere as ever. Unlike others of his station, Mortarion eschewed luxury. His quarters were devoid of ornate decorations, trophies, or murals. Only the bare essentials were present, a reflection of his disciplined nature.
Sitting on a reinforced chair designed to support his immense frame, Mortarion closed his eyes, breathing deeply in an attempt to calm the storm within.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and activated a holographic console. Inputting a secure code, he sent a communication request to the Emperor, seated in the Throne of Meditation within the heart of the Imperium.
This was not merely a routine report—it was a plea for guidance.
Mortarion knew he could not untangle his doubts alone. He needed his father's insight.
It didn't take long for the console to display a simple, glowing message: Request Approved.
The screen shifted, revealing a majestic and awe-inspiring scene—
The Emperor sat upon the Golden Throne, his form surrounded by a radiant, almost divine light that seemed to command the very essence of existence.
Mortarion's heart, burdened with questions and frustration, surged with emotion. Leaning forward slightly, he spoke urgently:
"Father, I have—"
Before he could finish, the Emperor raised a hand, silencing him with a calm yet authoritative gesture.
The Emperor's gaze was deep, like the infinite expanse of the stars, his presence exuding boundless wisdom.
"I know," the Emperor said, his voice steady and powerful, each word cutting through the tension like a blade.
"I am already aware of what transpired on Kuikanto. I understand your confusion, especially regarding the 'sons' you encountered."
The Emperor's voice softened, yet it carried an undeniable weight.
"It is time. I will summon all your brothers to a council. Together, we shall resolve your doubts and chart the course for humanity's future. No more shadows, no more secrets. You will know everything."
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