Chapter 445: Rival Blade
“It’s time to open your eyes and take a look,” one of his companions said, his voice mixed with the whistling sound of the atmosphere violently scraping the outer coating of the drop cabin. "This is Terra, where all futures begin, as they say, the Great Crusade. Really?"
"Yes," Horus said, looking at the drop pod. Sealed iron door. When he leaves here, he will face a world that is completely new to the lower classes of Corsonia.
Terra is like a gate, conceptually connecting billions of new worlds and exiled civilizations: it is the earliest ancient home of mankind and the center of the galactic center.
In this ancient world where he is about to land, the only emperor is sitting on the throne on the roof of the world, overlooking him and the future he will create.
and the first child of the Emperor to awaken and return.
Horus was uneasy, imagining the true appearance of the emperor.
“I hear it,” Horus said to himself, trying to relieve his nervousness, “they are calling my name.”
The wave of calls is approaching. The outside of the airborne capsule on the ground was pouring in layer by layer, making Horus feel like he was in a dreamy golden world.
But there are some different voices mixed in, "Wake up," it sounds very familiar, surrounding eagerly, sometimes far and sometimes near, "Lord Horus——"
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Horus looked around blankly as his companions in Corsonia pushed him on the back.
Their faces are very blurry. Sometimes they look like a few marauder warriors with towering braids, smearing the blood of the enemy's dead on their mouths and eyelids. Sometimes they look taller. , and their faces were more noble. Even the extreme anxiety at this time did not offset the brilliance on their faces.
The landing claw hit the ground with a loud bang, and then, the lock opened with a hiss of airflow.
Horus stepped onto the landing ramp. When he reached the edge of the square, at least six figures of warriors and mortals cheered for him in front of him, and the true appearance of the Royal Palace of Terra was in Corsoni. The tip of the iceberg appeared in front of Ya's ignorant boy, and he was submerged in shock and awe in an instant.
Even with all the knowledge needed by humans, Horus still could not imagine a glorious palace so grand and incomparable, not to mention that the construction of this golden palace has just begun, with countless scaffolding and uncarved Stone pillars also line every corner of the palace.
With every step he took, calls followed him, coming from the mouths of all the workers and marchers he could see. Golden leaves fell from the sky, flying like broken gold on the white marble bricks, and spread at the feet of Horus. Those rustling sounds were also a call to him.
Why are these voices so familiar and unsettling?
Isn’t he walking at the starting point of the road to glory? Didn’t his boots just embark on a beautiful journey that will never be forgotten?
He will have a father, an emperor, and a king whom he will swear loyalty to forever and ever.
Subsequently, he will reunite with one of his closest blood brothers. They are all different and even have shortcomings, but they are all respectable and lovable people. Horus will embrace all the enthusiasm and Truly love each and every one of them.
Who is still calling him, urging him to turn back from the glory and open his eyes to see where he is now?
"Lord Horus... what's wrong with you? No, there's nothing I can do... How dare you say that! Abaddon, get out of here! Calm down... Understand, Sejanus... Believe in the Emperor...Where is the Emperor?”
The Emperor? Isn't the Emperor at the end of this road?
He remembered the unforgettable golden light, the huge, solemn throne, decorated with majestic eagle feathers fluttering its wings, at the end of the Golden Fallen Leaves Avenue, at the top of the layers of white stone steps.
The Emperor sat in his throne, overlooking his subjects, heirs, the world and his dreams, and then greeted him with a smile - what a smile! A smile that made him willing to surrender his fate with both hands...
"Horus Luperkar." The emperor lowered his eyes and looked at him with pity. He leaned down and gently held his hand.
Father. Horus wanted to speak, but his throat seemed to be blocked and he could not make any sound. He felt his fingers trembling slightly, but he couldn't make any further movements.
"Lord Horus, we need you," those sad sobs were almost in his ears, seeming to be closer. "It will be fine..."
Horus raised his head, and on the golden throne, he saw a face that was even more haggard than two hundred years ago, and his eyes were like two sources of fire on the dark skin.
+Horus. +He hears.
Then, his whole body felt as if cold water had been poured all over him.
In an instant, he saw it.
He saw the Luna Wolves leaving the Sun Star Domain, he saw Bucephalus sailing over the beautiful Olympia, he saw Russ’s inquiring look when he returned, he saw the Sixty-third Expedition Fleet Galloping in the Milky Way, he saw Lorgar burning his adoptive father to death, he saw Sanguinius's wings spread out in the wind, he saw the city being destroyed, the fortified walls clearing the wilderness, he saw the road to meet each other, kowtow and surrender, he saw Ulan Nuo's flag was wiped out by the gunfire of the Vengeful Spirit...
He saw the twisted dagger gently scratching his palm, and a sharp pain hit him——
He He saw himself fall on the edge of light in the Triumph Square, being brought back to the Spirit of Vengeance, he saw his warriors kneeling and waiting beside his bed, he saw Sejanus heading to the Emperor's Dream...
I'm here, I'm here.
Horus responded to their calls in his heart, even though he could not make any sound, his heart was shackled in the darkness by physical pain, but he did not want to let anyone down.
I'm right here, waiting for my return.
An invisible force held up Horus Luperkar, held his hand, and led him gradually towards the depths of the light, not fast, but so resolutely.
Horus followed the Emperor's lead. The Emperor's sad voice, along with all the waves of calling, quietly passed away.
The dream dissipated and his consciousness fell into a complete coma, but this time, his heart was so peaceful.
"It will be alright," the Emperor promised.
——
"No..." There was a hint of trembling in Karil Hindman's steady voice, "How long have you been unconscious, sir?"
"Three Oh my God, he occasionally wakes up and speaks a few words," Pedronela whispered painfully. "When he wakes up, he asks me to come here and share with me the stories that need to be told. No... …I don’t want to hear it, I’m afraid I’ll hear your last words…”
The preacher approached him, hesitantly, and stopped near the operating table, as if he was afraid of seeing his appearance at this time.
Horus' eyelids trembled, and he saw them from a distance: those imperial officials, just after he followed the emperor through the golden leaf road and entered the palace.
The broken sections of time rise and fall in the darkness.
"A new commander of the Legiones Astartes? They were already fighting so well... No, they were not so controlled, those dangerous artificial beings - why did they trust their new superiors so much? They Don’t you need time to see him clearly?”
When Horus walked past them, the mortals were silent and silent. They made way for him, walking slowly and staggeringly. Those eyes stared at him from behind with a mixture of fear and awe. They distrusted him, just as he distrusted them.
Malcador gave him a cold look, and Valdor hoped that he would disappear on the spot. Fortunately, they were still loyal to the Emperor, Horus once thought vaguely.
He raised his head and walked past them, following his emperor, for he alone was holding his hand.
"Lord Horus bids us farewell, but how can we leave him? He said... He said that he just cannot continue to fulfill his oath to the Emperor for the time being... Don't cry for him."
Pedronila suppressed her sobs. Horus wanted to smile at her, but he was unable to do anything at this time.
When did this proud and noble female official start to look up to him? When did their eyes start chasing his figure? Did their praise make him too proud?
On the throne... these loyal and sincere mortals.
"Can he bear this responsibility? Those warriors actually called a child father."
"O Emperor, only Horus can be our Warmaster now... But He will never be able to stand up on the day of the celebration. I am so scared... There are only less than five days to go..."
"A newcomer to Corsonia? The other thing above our heads?"
"I don't want to record this scene, Hindman, I don't want to record these words - my lord said, his brothers are going to be a little kid for him. The scimitar wounded me and I couldn't help laughing, the great Horus! He comforted me, Hindman, a Primarch comforted me, my derelict Memoir——"
"If Lord Horus cannot wake up in time, maybe in Ullanor, the empire must choose a new commander." Hindman said in a low voice, "The arrow is on the string."
Pedronilla's data The board fell from his hand and hit the low cabinet next to the hospital bed. Horus heard her scramble to pick it up.
It's okay, you can't be more impudent than my dear brother Magnus, whose books fall from the shelf to the table from time to time.
As for Hindman, his calmness is very much like Leon's.
“How can this be done?” Pedronilla lowered her voice, “Who can match the prestige of Lord Horus?”
Horus vaguely saw the long and narrow corridor of the palace that was still being repaired spiraling up in front of him. He walked up step by step, bypassing the ancient books and pictures piled on the ground, and candles fell on the edge of the steps.
On the stargazing tower, the Emperor closed the yellowed album in his hand and invited him to sit on the railing next to him. The night wind rustled across their faces, Horus touched his furry hair, got close to his father, and then they looked towards the sky.
"You already know the constellations," the Emperor said gently, "Do you have any that you like?"
Horus hesitated, "Sagittarius," he replied, speculating. The purpose of the emperor's question. Does he know the words circulated among mortals? But once he got to the Emperor's side, he seemed to be protected, and those competing thoughts quietly faded away, and the grievances were mixed with the tension, pushing him closer to the Emperor.
"Because," he said, "Father, you said we had an entire galaxy to conquer, and Sagittarius's arrow points far away."
The Emperor smiled, he looked at him, and nodded to him , the pride in his eyes was the sweetest reward Horus could receive.
"You will be one of my most splendid sons, Horus," said the Emperor. "Shoot the stars down, and your wolf pack will always follow you. No, more people will eventually move forward with you. The empire needs a leader, and humanity needs to move forward."
Then, watch The star tower disappeared, and the light of those candles dispersed. The dream of recollection left him, and he once again fell on the edge of dark reality.
He heard the sighs of the Remembrancers.
"Who would have thought that Lord Horus would fall? The war is obviously over..."
Yes, who would have thought? Horuston felt guilty. He tried to concentrate, trying to make a weak sound.
No, it's not time for him to wake up yet.
But at least there is one candle left. The radiance illuminated a patch of light beneath his feet in the darkness. The radiance of the Emperor.
He wandered in the dark cage, standing in the Emperor's light. Fragments of memory surrounded him, constantly splitting apart, and then merged and reorganized with reality under the guidance of strands of light.
——
The lights in the hall hung like the sun, and Horus walked through the long corridor to the banquet hall. His brothers were sitting on the bench. Those dreamlike and extraordinary beings were shining brightly just by sitting there, making the entire hall illuminated extremely brightly.
Sanguinius's face was shining with glory, Russ was playing with his fork, that bastard Curze was huddled in his chair and grinning strangely, and Guilliman was sitting upright with his eyes empty.
Only Lorgar and Perturabo looked worried. They were both covered in simple robes and sat closest to him.
Not to mention Luojia, who is already prone to true feelings, what could make the calm Lord of Iron look sad?
Horus smiled and saw himself walking towards them, wrapping his arms around his brothers and giving them an overly strong hug - maybe not as strong as Vulkan's, but certainly impressive.
Why are you so uneasy? Horus heard himself say cheerfully and patted his brothers on the back. What happened? Isn’t our triumphal banquet about to begin? Isn’t today a day for all brothers to gather together to celebrate their triumph?
"I executed Daniel and imprisoned all suspected dissidents on the Covenant." Lorgar said to him, surprising Horus as soon as he opened his mouth. "Erebus is dismissed unless he can pay for the sins that indirectly caused you. Those who hurt you do not deserve any mercy, my brother."
What have they done to deserve this punishment from you? Two head pastors? Horus was really stunned.
"The sword that hurt you is called the Nemesis Blade," Perturabo said in a low voice. "Its toxin is extremely special and is almost designed for you. All Nemesis Blades should be sealed in the shadow. Prison, but one of them was stolen”
"How could it be such a coincidence?" Lorgar murmured, "How could Interex have a weapon against you, Horus?"
"It must be the power of darkness... You have to go Where, Lorgar?"
"Destroy Interrex, Perturabo"
"You can't do that, it's a human regime that declares surrender-"
"Don't stop me, Perturabo! Are you so blinded that you can't see the connection? The evil blade they created hurt our dearest relatives who will become leaders! If there is a dark power Interex cannot get out of the way! They must pay for their sins with blood and ashes!”
"No, Aurelion, I believe the real murderer is still lurking. Don't let it go. We need reason, because we must find the truth and let the unforgivable people who really do evil pay the heaviest price..."< br>
"Why are you excusing the sin of hurting Horus, my brother?" Lorgar asked in disbelief. "Even if they are not the real culprits, can this weaken their crimes?"
With their dispute, the bright lights in the hall were extinguished one by one, and his relatives showed different expressions. Disappearing into the darkness, Horus suddenly remembered that they had never been together like this before.
The victory of Ullanor should have been the best opportunity.
They were supposed to sit around a round table, bless each other, hold each other's hands, and promise their expectations for the future.
The lights are on, the wine fills the cup, the honey falls into the tea, the cheese slips off the fork, they joke about fighting for the jelly eel on the same plate, the Wolf King tells his old joke, Mortarion and Khan While exchanging brewing experiences, Magnus was both eager to try and shy away from it, Corvus was meditating in the corner, and Rogal Dorn was seriously explaining to Fulgrim that his golden skull couldn't eat... and this memory didn't even begin. It should be treasured, because after the expedition is over, they will have many opportunities to share good nights...
I wish you can build a palace that is unparalleled in the world, I wish your small town will be yearned for by scholars among the stars, I wish you The wolf can always come and meet again in winter. I wish you a long song after the war. I wish your loyalty will be graced. I wish your five hundred worlds will be prosperous. I wish your clan will succeed in research and development. I wish your red sand land will be successful. Good harvest, I wish your wheat fields will be guarded, I wish your beauty will never fade, I wish your wings will never bend, I wish all of us health and safety...
This sweet dream comes again and again. The earth reappeared in two hundred years, so much so that he sometimes thought that was what was happening now.
The golden flame of the last lamp flickered and dispersed together with the laughter.
Stop quarreling, Horus thought sadly, you should be very close friends. If possible, I would like to personally hold your hands and get you back together. Lorgar, don't hurt an innocent regime who is implicated. The expedition is about to end, and you should be more tolerant to people... If I could be awake, I should advise you not to execute your high priest. I am so sure that he is very sensitive to this sharp blade. Nothing.
"Based on this calculation, even the clerk who allowed you to bring No. 11 into Terra will be sentenced to death." Perturabo said softly.
"I cannot sentence myself to death, Perturabo, so I will flagellate myself."
"No, Aurelion, the first priority is to find Eleven before he causes trouble again. You know him best among us, and Horus... No, we can no longer argue at Horus's bedside." Perturabo trembled slightly at the end of his words.
Aurelion was silent. "He said, Horus will be well." He lowered his voice to a whisper in resignation.
"The eradication of the Dark Poison will take time. The selection of the Warmaster should not be rushed. I will recommend to the Emperor that it be postponed."
"How long will it take?"
"...Morse said, it depends on the emperor's state..."
"No need." Horus's vocal cords trembled with a breath.
Perturabo and Lorgar immediately looked at him. Horus recognized Perturabo's position and reluctantly moved his fingers on that side. Perturabo immediately held his hand. hand.
"You're awake," Perturabo whispered.
Horus nodded, trying to concentrate: "I heard your argument."
"I'm sorry, Horus..."
"No, it doesn't have to be." Horus Russ took a deep breath. His voice was hoarse and difficult to hear. Perturabo moved closer to him, even weakening his breathing in order to listen more intently.
Horus used all his remaining strength to maintain his consciousness. He must get an answer from Perturabo.
"Remember what we said when we first met, Perturabo? I said, I will find a way to deserve your praise..."
A few seconds later, Perturabo said: "I remember."
"This seems...not easy anymore. I can't just...slow down the Emperor and slow down the entire continent." Crusade, and even the advancement of the Imperium... You are my most trusted brother, I'm sorry... But we need a leader, humanity needs to move forward, in... In the days when the Emperor decides to stay away, a leader will lead the people... Go as far as the arrow can point and shoot down the stars..."
"You will recover, Horus"
"I know...my condition. "Horus interrupted him, "I...I can't guarantee how long it will take me to wake up, and how long it will take for me to be able to barely say a few words like this...but I believe you can do it... ...Only you can do that position."
At the end, Horus managed to laugh and moved his fingers as hard as he could to hold Perturabo's hand tighter.
"If...if you find it as troublesome as I do, you can dump it to me after I recover, right?" Horus said confidently.
Perturabo did not answer, but responded forcefully to his clasped hand.
Horus panted gently, his breathing gradually becoming slower and weaker.
His hand fell from Perturabo's grasp.
Then, Horus Luperkar turned around, walked through all the marble avenues covered with gold leaves and exquisitely carved brilliant columns, and listened calmly to all the distant cheers and celebrations, all for the Empire. Watched by loyal people, accompanied by the warm and unreal company of his closest brothers, ignoring the darkness and the pain of evil scars surging behind him, he strode towards the throne of the Emperor.
That road never shortened, but the guidance of gold was always at the end of his path.
Maybe one day, maybe a year, maybe longer, he believes that he will always reach the throne where the glory gathers. Until then, the darkness can no longer catch up with him.
(End of this chapter)