Warhammer: The 11th Primarch - The Black Emperor

On board the Emperor's Flagship, the Bucephalus.

Standing in the circular observation corridor, Horus frowned as he peered through the arched glass down into the banquet hall below, where a group of savages mingled awkwardly with the splendor of the flagship.

Their crudely made armor was primitive and ugly, completely out of place in the ornate vessel.

Their tattooed skin was filthy, their hair even filthier.

Even from over sixty meters away, the Primarch could smell their foul stench.

They behaved like children, playing with the glassware and light fixtures adorning the banquet tables.

When one of them accidentally smashed something, they burst into laughter.

They suspiciously sniffed the fine wines and luxurious dishes, mocking the servants who brought them food.

They were rude, unworthy, and mocked the Emperor's generosity.

Horus furrowed his brow. Though he had followed the Emperor's teachings and accepted his role as "the big brother," he found not a trace of civilization in the Fenrisians.

Compared to the people of Vostroya, they were little more than brutes.

As he pondered, he turned and saw Nareth approaching. A smile appeared on Horus's face.

"My brother, it is good to see you again."

"Your achievements have astonished me. I'm proud of you."

Nareth responded calmly, "They are nothing compared to the Luna Wolves. Your legion's glory is second to none."

Horus didn't pursue the subject further.

The rapid expansion of Shadows of Order, conquering fourteen star systems in five years, had put him under intense pressure.

After Nareth subjugated a Knight World, Horus pushed the Luna Wolves to seize nineteen systems.

But despite the 63rd Expedition Fleet's rapid conquest of eleven star systems, they failed to find a Knight World.

Only when Shadows of Order slowed down to begin planetary construction did Horus feel the pressure ease slightly.

"You've done more than just conquer, I've heard your legion brings new order to the worlds joining the Imperium."

"Your Fourth Chapter took six star systems from the Araneus Continuity and is now developing one of the renamed planets, Necromunda."

Nareth stood by the curved corridor and looked down at the Fenrisians. "The Emperor approves of my methods."

Horus's tone grew impassioned with admiration.

"Every rediscovered colony must be transformed, enlightened by Imperial Truth, turned into gems of civilization and prosperity. That is our mission."

"In this, Shadows of Order has surpassed the Luna Wolves. I've instructed the Mournival to study your methods and asked captains and lieutenants to emulate them."

He glanced down. "But I'm not sure these Fenrisians can be as adaptable as the Vostroyans…"

Then, looking to Nareth, he said, "I heard they challenged you and your sons to a hunt, and lost completely."

"That's right. We were victorious."

Nareth nodded slightly but didn't indulge Horus's curiosity by detailing the hunt. He returned to the topic at hand.

"They see the Emperor as the All-Father, a divine king descending from the heavens. They'll obey his every command."

"That's a violation of the Imperial Truth. Father has made it clear: He is no god."

Horus scowled, voice brimming with anger. "He is a great man, but still a man."

"He must understand this."

"Russ and his people will come to understand," said a new voice.

The Emperor had appeared behind the two Primarchs.

He stepped up to the viewing window, looking down with interest. "Enoch Rathvin has met his gene-father."

Nareth looked down as well. The Fenrisians showed no fear of the Astartes. Though smaller in stature, they watched the warriors of the Sixth Legion with keen eyes.

They didn't recognize the Raptor's Head emblem or campaign honors; they were simply assessing strength, comparing the Sixth Legion's warriors to Sanchez.

The Wolf King and Enoch locked eyes.

Leman Russ placed a hand on Enoch's shoulder.

"My son."

The Sixth Legion's former leader immediately knelt, bowing before his gene-father and swearing loyalty.

The Emperor watched Enoch step down from command and leave.

He turned and gestured toward the hall.

"Horus, will you go meet your brother?"

Horus looked at the banquet room. The Wolf King was already smiling up at him, a savage smile.

"Yes."

"Nareth, come with me."

After a brief nod between brothers, Nareth followed the Emperor to the bridge.

Upon entering the strategy chamber, Nareth's gaze locked on a gold-armored warrior wielding a spear.

The Primarch instantly sensed the weapon's aura, similar to the Dionysian Spear.

Powerful… but not as repulsive.

Apollonian Spear

And the one holding it, Nareth, recognized him immediately.

Sensing his gaze, the Emperor spoke:

"Constantin Valdor, commander of my Custodian Guard."

"Nareth, Primarch of the Eleventh Legion."

They exchanged greetings, and the Emperor turned to Valdor.

"Show us the situation in the Wheel of Fire."

Valdor spoke: "Our understanding is limited, but we know the system has eight planets. A powerful Ork Warboss has risen and established an empire. Billions of greenskins have gathered under his banner."

Hearing this, Nareth understood why the Old Man had summoned him.

'The Campaign of the Wheel of Fire. The Space Wolves fought for five years, losing a third of their numbers. Because of their sacrifice, Russ received two rewards from the Emperor: The Dionysian Spear and one of the galaxy's most powerful fortresses, The Fang.'

"These Orks threaten the Imperium's expansion."

Valdor fell silent.

Nareth then "volunteered."

"My lord, I will lead my legion to the Wheel of Fire system, purge the greenskin filth, and present you with the Ork warboss's head."

The Emperor smiled with satisfaction.

"My son, I trust you to vanquish any foe."

At his words, Nareth felt something stir inside. He was almost done digesting the "Briber" potion.

'Once I take the Warboss's head and offer it to the Emperor, the potion will be fully digested.

Though a brutal campaign, Orks are full of potion materials, especially what I need for the "Baron of Corruption."'

'11 teeth from Evil Sunz Orks. Plus, there's The Fang and the Dionysian Spear

I don't want the spear. If I ask for something else, will the Old Man agree?'

As Nareth calculated, the Emperor added: "Your brother Russ, once his education and the Terra celebration are complete, will also head to the Wheel."

Nareth felt a twinge of concern.

'Wait, we're each getting a prize? I want The Fang. Not the spear!'

"You'll accompany us to Terra, then onward to the Wheel."

'So… is this a competition between me and Russ? Or are we meant to cooperate?'

'A visit to Terra isn't bad. Tierney should have finished digesting the 'Marauder' potion. I can promote him to Sequence 8, 'Swindler, and deliver the Gyrinx.' And if he's found the Black Eight-Legged Wolf, even better.'

As Nareth mulled this over, the Emperor said: "Come with me. I have important matters and need your counsel."

They entered a private chamber.

Once seated, the Emperor activated runes to initiate a null field.

"I want your opinion on psykers."

"Your legion contains more psykers than most. The Fifteenth Legion you command also employs many."

"I've faced the warp. I know the horrors lurking within. Russ has his reasons for opposing psykers."

Nareth was silent for a moment, mind racing. Then he answered carefully:

"Psychic power is a weapon. Like a bolter, only a fool would cast it aside in battle."

"Like any weapon, it is dangerous if untrained. But in the hands of a trained warrior, it strikes true."

He had to defend the use of psychic powers, to protect his psykers and hide the existence of the Beyonders.

But he couldn't appear obsessed with the warp, like the Khan of Chogoris.

The Emperor remained unreadable, weighing his words.

"Yes. Psychic power is dangerous, but also vital to the Great Crusade."

"I will allow the legions to experimentally form Librarius departments, until I decree otherwise."

"As you wish, my lord."

Returning to the Throne of Shadow Sovereignty, Nareth ordered each Chapter to establish a Librarius.

He also messaged Arsena, Sanchez, and others on the surface of Fenris, summoning them back to the flagship.

Upon inspection, Nareth was shocked to discover that Sanchez had already digested the "Provoker" potion.

He promoted Sanchez to Sequence 7: Pyromaniac

Three days later, the fleet set sail, for Terra.

..

If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.

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