Warhammer 40k : Space Marine Kayvaan

Elizabeth's tone was almost cheerful, which only added to Marlborough's discomfort. "It's not unusual for units like the Imperial Guard to avoid fighting Serapheas. Consider yourselves lucky—you've been given the honor of facing the darkest creatures in the galaxy. For many Imperial citizens, this would be a privilege, a chance to prove their courage and loyalty to the God-Emperor. Tell your people this: do not engage Serapheas in conversation, in thought, or in any spiritual way. Their words are poison, full of lies and deceit. The only dialogue you should have with a Seraphea is through the barrel of your lasgun. When you see one, shoot, and then keep shooting."

"I'm not sure we can hold off an enemy like that," Marlborough muttered, his voice trembling. "I never thought I'd miss the green-skinned brutes, but now they seem almost... charming."

"Marlborough, don't overthink it," Kayvaan said, his tone reassuring. "This is just the worst-case scenario. There's a good chance we'll destroy the altar and shut the warp gate before it stabilizes. If that happens, you'll just need to reposition to the second line of defense. At that point, the real threat won't be Serapheas but the Eldar rangers. Once the gate is closed, aim every gun you have at the exit of the underground city and ensure none of them escape."

Elizabeth chuckled. "Kayvaan, you're a devious one. I thought you had a pact with the Eldar—a verbal covenant, wasn't it? And now you plan to betray them."

"This is war," Kayvaan replied confidently. "The Eldar are our enemies, and there's nothing wrong with deceiving the enemy. Besides, I'm not breaking the agreement. The covenant with their leader, Syladria, is to unite against the warp-spawned threat. Once we emerge from the city, the shared enemy will be defeated, and the agreement fulfilled. The result? All threats to Fort Gallan will be eliminated, the ancient city will be secure, and Gustav can continue his excavation. Elizabeth, you'll get your prisoners, and everyone wins."

Elizabeth nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "I must admit, the plan is... elegant. I like it."

Kayvaan glanced around the room. "If there are no objections, then we'll proceed. Earth time is currently 10:30. I've distributed the timetable, action routes, and orders to everyone here. I'll handle negotiations with the Eldar. Lady Elizabeth, take Gustav and your team to the rendezvous point at the entrance to the underground city."

Meanwhile Syladria situation is not as good. "I can't believe you've stooped to negotiating with those Mon-keigh ! You're an embarrassment to our kind. To think you would grovel to those primitive apes—what could they possibly understand about this fight?"

"And what do you propose we do instead?" Syladria countered, her voice calm but firm. She swept her gaze across the gathered rangers, meeting their eyes one by one. Their expressions were a mixture of despair and frustration. "Our situation is dire. Rosina has turned this place into our grave. The network has been severed, our escape routes are gone, and we are utterly trapped. So, tell me—who among us can stand against Rosina?"

The cruel reality left no room for hope. Rosina appeared for the first time without warning. She said nothing, simply struck down a ranger with ruthless efficiency, taking both the ranger's body and their soul stone.

Three days later came the second attack. This time, Rosina didn't show herself. Two rangers vanished without a trace, as though they had been swallowed by the void. Their soul stones, as expected, were also gone. The third attack came three days after that. The rangers had laid an elaborate trap, painstakingly designed to corner Rosina. It failed spectacularly. Rosina swept through like a storm, leaving chaos in her wake. Three more rangers fell, their soul stones snatched from their lifeless bodies.

Then came the fourth attack, mere days ago. Despite their desperate efforts, the rangers failed to prevent more losses. Four rangers were slain, and Rosina took their soul stones as easily as plucking fruit from a tree. Against Rosina, the once-feared Alaitoc rangers were no more threatening than children. Their lives were mere toys in her hands, extinguished at her whim. For the proud rangers, this realization was both horrifying and humiliating.

The rangers were not considered one of the Paths of the Eldar. Unlike the Whirling Eagle, Screaming Banshee, or Fire Dragon, the ranger was a pathless wanderer, a being who had forsaken the strict discipline of the Paths.

They were those who grew weary of the rigid rules and unchanging routines of Eldar society. The monotony of life under the Paths often led to feelings of despair, an incessant questioning: 'Is this all there is? Will my days always follow the same, predictable pattern?'

Curiosity about the universe's mysteries pushed them to abandon their homes. What lay beyond the dark expanse of space? What secrets hid beneath distant stars? What wonders waited beyond the next horizon? Once these questions took root, they became impossible to suppress. Driven by this wanderlust, many became rangers, forsaking the structure of Eldar life for the freedom of the void. But this freedom came at a price. Without the protective structure of the Paths, a ranger's heightened psychic awareness became a dangerous liability. Like a beacon in the darkness, their presence attracted predators, both physical and spiritual. Only those with extraordinary willpower survived for long. The weak often succumbed to despair, lost forever in the cold and unfeeling depths of the galaxy.

Some rangers roamed endlessly, while others explored the labyrinthine Webway. A few even turned to piracy or plundering, becoming merciless raiders. But regardless of their chosen life, all rangers who endured were exceptionally resilient in both mind and body. Rarely did they fall to corruption or succumb to the influence of Chaos.

Rosina had been the greatest of them all—brilliant, disciplined, and seemingly incorruptible. Her fall to Chaos was not just shocking; it was unthinkable. For the Eldar, there was no fate more horrifying than corruption. To be claimed by Chaos was a terror far worse than death.

"The fallen Rosina isn't just strong—she's far stronger than she was before," Syladria said, her voice bitter. "Chaos has given her power, and she wields it without hesitation. She has become a weapon of terror, slaughtering her own people and stealing their soul stones. None of us can stand against her. Even if we all joined forces, we wouldn't stand a chance." Her lips twisted into a sad smile. "It's tragic. The Star Walker should embody freedom and romantic adventure, but here we are, relying on human soldiers to survive. I understand the humiliation you feel, but we have no choice. We must fight with everything we have. If we fail, the consequences will be far worse than death. Rosina doesn't just kill. She takes our soul stones. She isn't giving her victims back to the endless cycle of rebirth. If we die, our souls will be trapped in her hands. At best, we'll cease to exist. At worst... we'll suffer fates too terrible to imagine. For Rosina, the consequences will be even more horrific. If she fully succumbs to Slaanesh, her torment will never end."