"It seems the Necrons are redeploying their forces."
Based on the information transmitted through the mental link, Adam spoke thoughtfully.
By leveraging this almost "cheat-like" information-gathering ability, the enemy's command was glaringly obvious, showing almost no intent to hide.
Among the squad members, some had encountered permanent Necron gun emplacements on their way to the rendezvous point, completely blockading the path and preventing further progress.
Others were trapped in constant harassment by vast swarms of Necron "cannon fodder" units—a persistent nuisance that effectively stalled their advance.
Others faced a simpler, more direct obstacle: heavy Blackstone gates had sealed the passageways shut. They would have to spend significant time on demolition work to open a path.
While no one had been forced out of the combat roster due to casualties yet, the situation remained grim. The enemy was clearly accumulating strength, preparing for a decisive, "hammer-blow" strike.
"Naturally, we cannot allow these loathsome xenos to have their way," Archmagos Cawl offered his perspective. "The most critical point, it seems, remains our current route. Not only do we possess the most sufficient combat power, but because we weren't teleported away, we aren't too far from the center of this Tomb World. The enemy command has clearly underestimated our importance."
"Yes. Therefore, we must accelerate our actions, seize this opportunity, and quickly regroup with the others." Adam nodded in agreement.
Retreat was not an option. Not everyone possessed the ability to withdraw via Warp teleportation, and he wasn't about to abandon the exploration mission over a few setbacks.
Sensing the distance to the nearest squad members, Adam opened his eyes. "Let's go. This way."
The two moved quickly toward the depths of the Tomb World, accompanied by a large number of floating Servo-skulls.
As they advanced, Necron resistance grew stronger. Various elite units appeared in succession. However, this was still within the limits of what Adam and Cawl could handle; in most cases, the Servo-skulls' fire was enough to clear the way.
But then...
After resolving another squad of Necron Warriors that had tried to resist, a thick Blackstone tomb gate appeared before them, blocking their path.
Looking away from the Auspex built into a Servo-skull, Cawl reported: "There are massive high-energy readings on the other side of this gate. It seems the xenos have already established a very sophisticated defensive position."
"As expected."
Adam sensed the positions of his other teammates again. Among them, Lucia and the Primaris Head were already very close, but they would still need to break through this xenos line to link up.
However, this was no great difficulty. Adam looked back at Archmagos Cawl, who had already begun using his reality-warping abilities to manifest as a "human STC" on the spot.
Ten minutes later.
BOOM!
With a violent explosion, the tomb gate shattered instantly. Fragments and debris shot outward as dust and smoke filled the air.
Behind the line...
Having learned from previous encounters, the Necron units mobilized for this emergency deployment featured almost no infantry. Instead, the area was packed with heavy vehicles and constructs.
Scores of Triarch Stalkers, Canoptek Doomstalkers, and Annihilation Barges immediately pivoted their cannons toward the smoke-shrouded entrance, unleashing a lethal barrage!
Tesla weapons discharged arcs of lightning that leaped between targets, turning groups into ash; searing heat rays melted everything in their path; Gauss heavy cannons decomposed matter; and particle casters fired anti-matter...
Terrifying firepower was poured into the entrance, intended to annihilate all life. But, as before, the Necrons failed to get their wish.
Anti-matter particles and Gauss beams rippled against personal Void Shields but failed to overload them. Freshly "manufactured" Kastelan Robots stepped out, enduring the horrific fire. They scanned the area emotionlessly and locked onto their targets.
At the command of Archmagos Cawl from the rear, relic weapons of the Adeptus Mechanicus roared to life.
A war of machine against machine, technology against technology, had begun!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The continuous roar of bolter fire echoed through the previously silent space.
Leonardo's face was as cold as water. With admirable marksmanship, he precisely picked off the waves of Canoptek Scarabs and Canoptek Wraiths surging toward him.
These tiny constructs, originally designed to maintain the Necron Tomb World, became a lethal threat when they formed a tide capable of devouring everything in its path.
"How troublesome. If only Inquisitor Sibylla were here; a single psychic shock could clear a whole field of them."
Finding it difficult to deal with enemies that relied on sheer numbers, the Custodian was forced to fight and retreat simultaneously. Fortunately, these things still couldn't keep up with Leonardo's extreme speed, making his self-preservation more than guaranteed.
However, things would not stay smooth forever.
Suddenly, as if receiving a command, the swarm of Canoptek constructs retreated. A Necron holding a long staff stepped out with an elegant posture.
"Who goes there?" Leonardo frowned, speaking with caution.
"When an unwanted guest arrives, do they not even know who the master of this house is?"
Trazyn spoke slowly in an exaggerated, operatic tone. "I am Trazyn the Infinite, Overlord of Solemnace, Chief Archaeovist of the Prismatic Galleries, and—"
"Xenos! I have nothing to say to you so shut your mouth."
Without waiting for the posturing alien to finish his introduction, Leonardo stepped forward, turning into a blur. The blade of his Guardian Spear thrust straight toward Trazyn's head.
CLANG!
Beneath his helmet, Leonardo's face betrayed a look of utter disbelief.
Another Guardian Spear, exclusive to the Emperor's Custodes, extended from beside Trazyn and steadily parried the lightning-fast strike.
"You disappoint me," the Necron Overlord leaned on his staff. "Xenos... always 'xenos.' Do you know how many times I have been described with such a dry word? As a knowledgeable Custodian of the Emperor, I thought you might come up with something more vivid."
Leonardo did not answer. He stared fixedly at the figure standing beside Trazyn.
The figure stood over three meters tall, clad in magnificent golden armor decorated with complex honors and sigils. Like Leonardo, he held a Guardian Spear.
There was no doubt. That was an Adeptus Custodes.
Based on the brief clash, Leonardo realized the opponent's strength was not inferior to his own—it was highly likely that this was also a Blade Champion.
"Xenos! What trickery have you performed?"
Unable to endure such a humiliating insult any longer, Leonardo gritted his teeth and growled in a low voice.