The battle on the war-moon left an indelible mark on many minds.
Luther and his followers rediscovered the glory of the Great Order in the fight. Laughter and conversation occasionally echoed from the quiet decks.
Unable to find any more xenos, Lucius buried himself in the training deck.
The moment when Akurduana's myths of invincibility and being unscathed ended simultaneously loomed like a shadow over his mind.
Yet Nareth's starlike, blue-white sword-light continuously flashed.
Light and shadow. Star and shadow.
Flickering alternately.
Lucius constantly swung his sword, chasing the starlight, trying to dispel the shadow.
A week of practice wore out a training cage made of Miguel steel, more durable than those of the Emperor's Children
Entering the training deck, Lucius was surprised to see Akurduana in his magnificent gold and purple armor.
It was the first time he had seen the First Sword since the battle on the war-moon.
Lucius studied the proud Firstborn of Fulgrim. He was surprised to find not a trace of frustration on Akurduana's face.
He had a feeling the First Sword was stronger than before.
Lucius was about to request a sparring match to prove his own progress when Akurduana spoke first.
His smile was as warm as ever, devoid of the shame of defeat.
"Lucius, today you will meet the Lord's First Sword."
Lucius's eyes lit up. "Thierry Viera?"
"Correct."
Excitement surged through Lucius as he followed Akurduana into the Primarch's palace.
The moment he stepped into the asymmetrical black structure, Lucius's eyebrows furrowed.
Even Akurduana, though not here for the first time, was momentarily troubled by the irregular lines, much like he himself was frequently troubled when lately setting brush to parchment.
They entered the banquet hall. The dazzling yet blurred figures in their minds instantly merged with the black-armored, golden-winged giant.
Akurduana and Lucius snapped back to reality, then were drawn to another giant.
The figure seated on the obsidian chair surpassed the bounds of an Astartes. Even the tallest Salamander could not match his height.
His body, encased in black armor, held immense, restrained power.
Akurduana scrutinized Thierry. His gold-and-purple painted gauntlet touched Timur and Athena at his legs.
Nareth, from his throne, observed Akurduana and Lucius's expressions fully.
A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips. 'The plan to "corrode" Akurduana can proceed to its final step.'
Lucius, in his role as attendant, sat and sampled the court cuisine, as perfect as his own Legion's fare.
Crispy fried fish bones, flesh as white as clouds, mixed with caviar, awakened his taste buds.
Inky squid ink enveloped the plump geoduck, filling the emptiness in his stomach after his exertions.
Following court etiquette, Lucius savored dish after dish.
After downing eleven glasses of Vovoth vodka, he set down his cup, emboldened by the drink.
"Lord, I have long heard of Lord Thierry's skill with the blade. I wish to challenge him and ask for your permission."
Nareth's eyes narrowed slightly. He turned his head towards Lucius.
'Truly one with a "bright future." I was just thinking of finding an opportunity, and you speak up first.'
He was about to respond when Stevens, the newly promoted "Provoker" of the Honor Guard standing nearby, spoke respectfully.
"Father, please allow me to fight."
The "Provoker" looked at Lucius. The swordsman's swift charge into the xenos, his superb swordsmanship as he slew them, flashed through his mind.
Instinctively, he touched the Catachan Fang at his belt and issued a "provocation."
"Swordsman Lucius, defeat me first. Then you'll have the qualification to challenge the Knight Lord."
The proud Lucius's violet pupils ignited with flame.
"This won't take long."
"I think this duel should take a new form."
Nareth's eyes deepened. He knew the future Chosen of Slaanesh was a supremely skilled swordsman.
Even now, before his full growth, a Sequence 8 like Stevens probably couldn't match him, unless the battle environment favored him.
"This is a duel between Astartes. You shouldn't be confined to a training cage."
"You will hold your honor duel on the battlefield of the war-moon."
Inside a black Aquila shuttle, Arsène Dunn watched the approaching war-moon.
"My Lord, Arch-Magos Lian Ramírez has made some progress in studying the war-moon."
"Though he hasn't fully mastered the secrets of its construction, he can now utilize most of its functions, including movement and drone deployment."
Gren Vosotho, Chapter Master of the Ultramarines 1st Chapter, accompanying the gene-son, gazed through the full-length viewport at the rows of towering, pitch-black gun barrels.
He knew that without the Squats' heavy fortress ships, and without Lord Nareth personally leading the boarding action, capturing this artificial war fortress would not have been so easy.
"Order Lian to move it to the Caelium Gate. If necessary, he can seek support from the Squats." Nareth, after a moment's thought, decided to use the spoils to reinforce this strategically vital hub.
The Primarch's Aide recorded the order and immediately executed it.
Inside another smoothly flying Aquila shuttle, Stevens's left hand gripped his Catachan Fang, a demon's claw.
With his right hand, Stevens pulled a vial from his belt. The moment he uncorked it, the red venom, extracted from Catachan's deadly flora, bubbled, emitting green bubbles.
Since his opponent was not a xenos but a fellow warrior, he didn't use the lethal venom.
The Shadows of Order who had perished in the deadly jungle proved these venoms were fatally dangerous even to an Astartes' transhuman body.
As the venom flowed over the Catachan alloy, the mercury half-filling the hollow blade sloshed.
Stevens stopped when he saw the blade visibly develop a red hue mottled with green spots. He patted the green-furred Catachan wolf beside him, raising the vial.
The Catachan wolf let out an excited low howl, gulped down the liquid, then squinted its eyes and lay down by Stevens's boot.
Stevens looked down at the approaching surface. The seasoned "Hunter" adjusted the grenades on his person, formulating tactics in his mind.
Moments later, as they disembarked, Zahariel asked Balsar Kurthuri, Librarian of the 19th Legion,
"Who do you think will win this duel?"
Balsar glanced at the white-haired warrior in magnificent purple armor, then at the camouflaged black-armored warrior.
"In a training cage, Lucius would win easily."
"Here..." Balsar surveyed the surrounding battlefield rubble and collapsed structures.
The Librarian's eyes deepened. His voice was ethereal, seeming to come from another world.
"His natural speed surpasses most in my Legion. He will still win, but not easily."
Arsena, representing Nareth, stood between Lucius and Stevens.
"To increase the friendship between Shadows of Order and the Emperor's Children, Stevens will engage in an honor duel with Lucius."
"I declare the honor duel... begin!"
The "Provoker" raised his bolt pistol and, in a "provocative" manner, fired a shot at the magnificent purple armor.
Lucius's white eyebrows shot up. In an instant, he drew his sword and charged at his irritating opponent.
Stevens's eyes flickered. Lucius's speed was even greater than he had observed before.
He retreated towards the seven o'clock direction, the most complex terrain he had observed before landing.
Lucius didn't slow. He wanted to find his annoying opponent and defeat him cleanly.
Suddenly, his right foot sank into soft earth. He immediately sensed an anomaly.
Adamantium-tipped rounds burst from the ground. The bolts detonated before reaching the purple armor.
Lucius quickly rolled forward. With a blast, a finger-sized hole was blown in the sole of his right boot.
The moment his shoulder touched the ground, his handsome face changed. He raised his left fist and smashed it into a collapsed, leaning pillar.
With another blast, he rolled sideways.
Vosotho, accompanying Lord Nareth, ascended a slope with a clear view.
Looking down at the rising plumes of explosive shockwaves below, he exclaimed in admiration.
"Lucius's speed is being contained."
"Stevens's mind works faster than Lucius's. He's a seasoned hunter who anticipated Lucius's reactions." Balsar said admiringly.
"Before becoming a Shadow of Order, he was a Catachan." Thierry glanced at Akurduana. He was very interested in the First Sword of the Palatine, renowned across the Legions.
"That's a brutal death world. He grew up there, becoming a seasoned hunter."
Akurduana nodded to Thierry. Such traps would be useless against him, as he relied on instinct.
"The decisive moment has begun."
As he spoke, Stevens, having exhausted his carried bolts and grenades, launched his final attack.
He and the Catachan wolf charged Lucius simultaneously.
Lucius's purple armor was coated in dust.
Shrapnel had scratched his handsome face.
Though not serious, Lucius was annoyed.
Repeated "provocations" made him abandon the idea of a brilliant victory.
'I will crush you underfoot! Teach you a lesson you'll never forget!'
As Lucius, fueled by the "provocation," filled with rage, the Catachan wolf sprang silently, its red, green-speckled fangs sinking into the purple armor.
As the venom crackled, Lucius twisted his body and thrust his sword.
The moment the blade tip grazed the thick green fur, Lucius withdrew his sword.
Not only because this was an honor duel, not a fight to the death, but also because he sensed danger from behind.
Lucius swiftly turned, swinging his sword in a slash.
The blade cut through the power armor, biting into Stevens's shoulder.
The Catachan Fang pierced his ribs. Venom seeped into Lucius's body.
Lucius trembled as if electrocuted. His body crashed to the ground with a thud.
He tried to rise, but felt utterly powerless.
He stared in shock at his opponent, who was using his sword to support himself. He hadn't imagined he would fall.
He hadn't even stood before the Knight Lord, and had already been defeated by an obscure member of the Honor Guard.
Stevens looked at the sword wound deep in his shoulder, his shoulder blade severed. He said admiringly to Lucius,
"You are strong. The hunt I so carefully prepared..." He paused before continuing.
"...only resulted in a narrow victory."
"Without the power bestowed by Father, I would have lost."
Lucius's violet eyes lit up. He turned his head to look at the giant on the slope.
'The power bestowed by Lord Nareth.'
The gene-son keenly perceived Lucius's gaze. In it, he saw many familiar shadows.
From Luther, Zahariel, Arkhas Fal, Nerat Kirine...
'I only wanted to "corrode" Akurduana. How did I end up with Lucius first?'
As Nareth pondered, Akurduana's voice rang out.
"Thierry."
"Lucius can no longer fight. I will continue the honor duel with you."
"Good." Thierry agreed readily.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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