Chapter 42 Dawn's Roar
"Brother, we should drink together sometime."
"Gladly."
Russ decided quickly that he liked this new brother.
He had expected another polished noble who would recoil at Fenrisian customs. Instead, when Russ leaned forward and inhaled deeply — an instinctive wolf-greeting — the refined newcomer neither flinched nor objected.
He only smiled.
"Well? Do I pass inspection?"
Russ scratched his beard.
"I don't know what it smells like… but it's pleasant."
"Tea," Mordecai Threxion replied calmly. "Most likely."
Yuki sat nearby, lifting her cup.
"Li, you may not understand what Russ calls wine. I strongly advise caution."
Russ grinned.
Strange. She had defended it yesterday.
Mordecai Threxion's eyes brightened with curiosity.
"Now I want to try it even more."
"Absolutely not."
Horus entered at that exact moment.
A Civilized Brother
Horus halted when he saw Mordecai Threxion.
Relief spread across his face.
At last — a civilized man.
If this one had been another Russ, Horus might truly have lost composure.
He stepped forward and clasped Li's forearm.
"My name is Horus. I was the first to return to Father and Sister. We spent thirty years together. If you need anything, come to me. If I can help, I will."
Mordecai Threxion bowed his head slightly.
"Brother, the honor is mine. I have read every letter you sent. I learned much from them."
Horus scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Oh… it was nothing."
Then he leaned closer.
"And whatever you do — do not drink Russ's mead. It is poison."
Russ froze mid-sip.
?
The Mead War
"Horus!" Russ barked. "You slander Fenrisian mead?! Across the Imperium it is praised!"
Horus remained composed.
"I heard several mortals diluted it hundreds of times and still collapsed. They survived only because Space Wolf medics intervened."
"…slander!" Russ pointed dramatically. "Sister! He slanders me!"
Yuki burst into laughter.
Russ followed.
Horus tried not to laugh.
Mordecai Threxion only smiled quietly.
Yuki Observes
Yuki watched him carefully.
His conduct was flawless.
Reserved but warm.
Humble yet confident.
Effortlessly courteous.
Too seamless.
Was he performing?
No.
The humility was genuine.
The affection sincere.
But something remained sealed beneath the surface.
A purpose.
An emotion.
A truth withheld.
Yuki chose not to pry.
One day, he might open the door himself.
She clapped her hands.
"Mordecai returns to Terra next. Will you come?"
Horus and Russ exchanged glances, embarrassed.
"Our campaigns cannot pause," Horus admitted.
Russ nodded. "Duty first."
Mordecai Threxion inclined his head.
"I understand."
After They Depart
Yuki placed a hand on Mordecai's shoulder.
"What do you think of your brothers?"
"They are excellent," he answered. "Horus is open-hearted. Russ is direct and sincere. I am fortunate."
Yuki nodded.
"No one stands alone. If trouble comes, speak to them. Or to me. Or to Father."
A pause.
"…Thank you, sister. I will remember."
The Companion Called Xuan
During the voyage to Terra, Mordecai Threxion found his advisor seated silently on a bunk.
Fear clouded his eyes.
This man — once a starving orphan rescued from the wilderness — had followed Mordecai for twenty years.
To him, Mordecai was savior, king… and father.
"Your Majesty," Xuan whispered, "yesterday we dreamed of Domus's future. Today we abandon everything for the unknown. I am afraid."
Mordecai sat beside him.
"We are stronger than you think. What lies ahead will not defeat us."
He paused.
"And stop calling me 'Your Majesty.' My father is the Emperor now. Call me… Father."
Xuan blinked.
"…Father?"
"Yes. On Terra, you will receive my gene-seed. You will become one of those towering warriors — and remain by my side."
Xuan bowed his head.
"I understand… Father."
Arrival on Terra
Terra's port roared with anticipation.
Welcoming a Primarch had become a strange civic lottery:
Gold-plated prince.
Silver-plated prince.
Occasionally… barbarian grade.
The gangplank lowered.
Mordecai Threxion emerged with calm dignity.
Not bad, the crowd decided.
This one looked refined.
Meeting Malcador
Mordecai Threxion clasped Malcador's hand.
"My brothers have spoken of you. I am honored to meet you."
Malcador nearly sighed aloud.
From Russ, perhaps.
From Horus? A miracle.
Indeed, Horus had warned him:
"Brother, beware the treacherous minister."
Mordecai Threxion had simply smiled.
Rulers require unpleasant necessities.
Some decisions must be done personally.
Others must be done by those willing to bear blame.
Malcador was such a man.
And in an empire unified by loyalty, minor treachery meant little.
A Prince Who Understands
On the parade float, Mordecai Threxion discussed governance and logistics with calm clarity. His insight was precise without arrogance.
Malcador nearly wept with relief.
At last — a reasonable son.
The Second Legion
As they entered the palace grounds, Mordecai studied the Astartes formations.
"My sons?"
Yuki nodded.
"They call themselves Dawn's Roar. They struck at dawn and shattered an enemy host. You may rename them."
Mordecai shook his head.
"I like the name."
She handed him parchment.
"Then design their emblem."
With swift strokes he drew a roaring tiger head.
"This is Qiongqi — a supreme predator of Domus. Let my legion hunt without mercy."
Yuki raised an eyebrow.
Not so gentle after all.
A Request
"Sister," Mordecai asked, "may I dine with my sons?"
Malcador sighed internally.
Not again.
"Second Prince… protocol—"
Mordecai smiled.
"Then allow me to host. I brought cooks. Let this be my banquet for them."
Yuki answered instantly:
"Approved."
Malcador surrendered to fate.
Later
"Vice Emperor, why indulge this?" he asked.
"Uncle Ma," she replied gently, "we're family. Let him build bonds."
Malcador sighed.
"As you wish."
The Dawn's Roar Reforged
Mordecai Threxion assumed command with quiet efficiency.
The legion embraced him immediately.
Changes followed:
Armor repainted brown-red
Tiger-head insignia adopted
Tactical doctrines refined for coordinated shock assaults
Dawn assault strategies emphasized
Clad in crimson power armor, Mordecai surveyed his sons.
Silent.
Resolute.
Satisfied.
Departure
Six months later, the battleship Zouwu departed the Solar System.
The Second Legion, Dawn's Roar, joined the Great Crusade beneath their Primarch.
And somewhere beneath Mordecai Threxion's serene composure…
something remained hidden.
Waiting.