Marshal Rohr Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 I The Knight ‘Come Sigismund, the hour is late, but I have one last mission for you,’ said a voice as stalwart as iron, yet supple as the finest silk. I follow my sire, Rogal Dorn, Primarch of the VII Legion into the forges. The billowing smoke of forge fire fills my lungs, endless rows of machines constantly churn, producing the unknowable quantities of munitions, armor, and weapons needed for the upcoming siege. I follow the golden armored demi-god into the depths of the mountain forges, into the sacred reclusium where the finest weapons and armor are stored, awaiting those worthy of them. He doesn’t speak, since learning of his closest brother’s treason, my lord has become colder and more distant. Even to me. His chosen knight. His favorite son. But today he is different. My lord desires companionship. ‘Sigismund, do you remember Alesia? The war we fought alongside the sons of Ferrus? It was a glorious war, my son. I sorely miss fighting alongside my father.’ He nods his head towards me, but I offer no reply, for none is necessary. ‘I never told you, my son, but the Emperor personally praised you for your valor in the final battle. Even saying without you, surely it would have been lost. When we returned to the fleet, he asked me what reward a warrior such as you would desire. Naturally, I told him that merely to recognize your service in his name was more than any physical trinket he could give you. But my father knows best, and he knows that sometimes, even for those as selfless as you, physical reminders of his favor can inspire the impossible. He commissioned Ferrus to craft you this.’ II The Armor and Blade We stop before an exquisitely crafted reliquary. Black crystal rests over top the Macraggian granite pedestal. At its center is the Legion icon, the Imperial Fist, crafted from white gold and onyx. But this icon is different. Inlaid in the gold are hundreds of infinitesimally small crosses fashioned from obsidian, edged in rubies. Each is identical to the one I bear upon my shoulders. The symbol is that of the first company, the Templars. For the first time since meeting my Primarch, tears come from my eyes. The Emperor himself had one of his own sons craft me a token of his favor. The feeling is indescribable. ‘My lord, I… I am… I don’t,’ I fight to find words, but I cannot, I fall to my knees. ‘I am unworthy, lord.’ The hand of a god gently pulls me to my feet, and he smiles down at me. ‘You haven’t even seen it yet,’ his hand waves over the activation rune. The crystal, where once had appeared seamless, opens to reveal a suit of armor and blade more perfect than any other. The blade is blacker than the darkness of space, polished to a sheen beyond reason. The armor is etched with thousands of words, I recognize each as a battle honor bestowed upon the Legion since its inception. Gold and silver bracers reinforce the weaker joints; acid etched depictions of the Primarch and Emperor adorn its pauldrons. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The blade was fashioned from the same black crystal as the reliquary covering. One side, carved in exquisite detail, was the phrase ‘Dei Castigator’ and on its reverse ‘Imperator Rex’. It felt as air in my hands, and when the power rune was activated it seemed to pull the nearby light within it, radiating raw destructive power. Emerald lighting danced across its edges, while the golden hilt held an intricately detailed cross. Lord Ferrus had outdone himself. ‘Ferrus spent nearly a week forging these. The armor was straight forward, but the sword! Father knows, he wanted that sword to be perfect. Took him three tries to get it right. The damn hammer he made for me took him an afternoon, if that tells you anything. Now come, lets get this fitted.‘ It takes a short time before my armor is entirely synced and ready. The servos and stabilizers move as nothing I have felt before. My entire body feels lethal. The ultimate armor, and it is mine. Full spectrum readouts play across the visor, ammunitions counters searching for a weapon, power levels read out at full capacity. I mag-lock the blade on my back and look to my lord for direction, and his cold demeanor returns. ‘Sigismund, I feel it. I do not believe I will survive this conflict. I feel as if before the end I will be required to make the greatest sacrifice. I do not know if I could survive the galaxy after this war. Now, my son, it is time for you to swear your oath of moment.’ III The Emperor’s Champion ‘I charge you with a sacred duty. In the upcoming war my brother will have many Champions. Warriors who for centuries have fought across the stars in the name of the Emperor. They will have become twisted with the dark power of their allies. It is these foes that I charge you to seek out and slay. You are to be the Emperor’s Champion.’ ‘In the eyes of your sworn lord do you swear this oath of moment?’ His face could be cut from the hardest marble. The stone man. ‘This I swear.’ ‘You will know no pity for those you slay, for they have turned from the Emperor’s light in pursuit of glory.’ ‘I will know no pity.’ You will know no remorse, for those you slay will have once been called brother. ‘I will know no remorse.’ ‘ You will know no fear. Though the foes you face will descend upon you from the depths of nightmares, you will endure as you always have.’ ‘I will know no fear’ ‘Rise,’ commands the voice of the golden demi-god. ‘Henceforth, you shall be known as Sigismund, Champion of the Emperor. ‘ ‘This I swear.’ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astartes88 Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 whistle! This looks good better not be a one shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Juan Juarez Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Must you be better than me at everything? You probably get more women too... Awesome stuff dude, one of the best I've seen here.. I think I actually shivered in awe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Rohr Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 It was my entry for the Great Crusade short story comp, so sadly it had to be cut down to 1000 words ;) . I wanted to get into more details, but I just didn't have the space. And I also play guitar really well. It helps with the ladies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Juan Juarez Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 It was my entry for the Great Crusade short story comp, so sadly it had to be cut down to 1000 words ;) . I wanted to get into more details, but I just didn't have the space. And I also play guitar really well. It helps with the ladies. You are so not getting a Christmas card... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrannicide Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 It was my entry for the Great Crusade short story comp, so sadly it had to be cut down to 1000 words :) . I wanted to get into more details, but I just didn't have the space. And I also play guitar really well. It helps with the ladies. Hahaha. Cool Story Bro. :P Well done, M2C. I see you value that sort of atmospheric writing as much as me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Juan Juarez Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 It was my entry for the Great Crusade short story comp, so sadly it had to be cut down to 1000 words :) . I wanted to get into more details, but I just didn't have the space. And I also play guitar really well. It helps with the ladies. Hahaha. Cool Story Bro. :P Well done, M2C. I see you value that sort of atmospheric writing as much as me. I regret telling him to post more stuff up, y'know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Rohr Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 DARTH!!! How have you been brother? Thanks for reading! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrannicide Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 I regret telling him to post more stuff up, y'know... Yes, don't feed the Matt, there's so many damned Matts around here anyways. DARTH!!! How have you been brother? Thanks for reading! I've been good man, how 'bout yourself? P.S. I want more. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrus Manus Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Yes, don't feed the Matt, there's so many damned Matts around here anyways. Hey... give us a chance :P Great story mate! I think I'm going to enter the contest, even after my poor effort last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Aah dude, awesome! You I was directed here from the 'hardcore topic' on our subforum, and I must say... As a hardcore fan, several times I got the chills when reading certain pieces in Helsreach. I don't know, I just love the templars and everything that is abou them. And this little piece, gave me the chills as well. Good job brother! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDunc Posted December 21, 2010 Share Posted December 21, 2010 Awesome, M2C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassill Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 Talk about awesome chills! This was great M2C! :cuss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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