93 Cain’s Adventure Part 2
"Is that an Adeptus Astartes? How in the world did he end up here?" The sergeant spoke without realizing it. Not to mention that this Astartes was without his power armor or any other weapon besides his power sword.
"Yes, my name is Alath Cassimer. Adeptus Astartes of the Black Templars and Emperor's Champion." The Space Marine place his power sword in front of him and stood tall as he introduce himself to everyone and half of the party gasp with surprise on their face.
"Another Emperor's Champion from the same Chapter?" Jurgen spoke while Commissar Cain remain quiet with multiple thoughts going through his head. Meanwhile, Alath on the other hand raises one of his eyebrows after receiving a very different reaction from the group. Not to mention, Jurgen's word on another existence of the Emperor's Champion made him curious.
"Champion, how did you end up here? What happened to your armor?" Commissar Cain asks the new Emperor's Champion after finishing his thought. During this whole time, Cain places his hand on his chainsword ready to strike just in case.
Every Adeptus Astartes indeed have their champion and the title of the Emperor's Champion belongs to Black Templars. As of now, Lord William is the one who was given the title of the Emperor's Champion, and unless High Marshal Helbrecht himself from the Black Templars' Eternal Crusader declared Lord William to be dead, there is no way there is a second Emperor's Champion. That is unless this is some warp sorcery and Alath Cassimer is a lost Champion who traveled through the warp portal through time and space.
"I don't know how I end up in this world but I remember this. Eternal Crusader and the entire fleet embarked on the sector cleansing when we end up on a planet where a Chaos Sorcerer belonging to Thousand Sons attempted to complete the ritual in the entire sector magnitude. My brothers and I were sent to kill this traitor from completing it but before my blade can strike him, the sorcerer rush the Chaos ritual. That is the last thing I remember before waking up and surrounded by the filthy Xenos, one of them holding my sword. So, I deliver rightful justice by killing them all. After that, you all came in with surprise on your face." The Emperor's Champion explains his tale before ending up in the New World and how quickly he slaughter these Greenskins without any problem.
"Do you remember what year it was before waking up?" Cain asks the Emperor's Champion while everyone including adventurers went over the Orcs' bodies to check for anything worth salvaging.
"Why, it is the year M41 of the 755." Emperor's Champion gave his answer to which Cain quickly calculate the year and compared it with Imperium history. Cain wasn't a historian or well educated on the subject of history but he recognized the year and event that could match the scale.
"If I remember right, that was the year when Sabbat Worlds Crusade began. I don't know much since I'm no historian but it was sector scale crusade which is the Sabbat Worlds and it was big enough to imprint on Imperium history." Cain scratch his chin and said out loud so everyone can hear him. The story so far matches with Emperor's Champion and Sabbat Worlds Crusade was sector-wide and lasted 23 years. There is also a fact that Imperial forces fought Chaos armies during that period and multiple chapters of Adeptus Astartes participated so that also checks out.
Finally, Cain found out the year this Emperor's Champion existed which is before Lord William's (Previously, William provided knowledge of the current Imperium including the resurrection of the Roboute Guilliman) so this also checks out as Cain determined that it is some kind of warp sorcery done by Thousand Sons sorcerer. Alath Cassimer is indeed Emperor's Champion but from the past and possibly William's predecessor.
"You have a lot of things to catch up on. First thing first, let's get clothes of sorts."
Adventurers and a few of the guardsmen continue to search the room and found nothing worth or could be used as makeshift clothes. Meanwhile, Jurgen made a fresh pot of Tanna while Cain explains to the Emperor's Champion about recent events in the New World (Within limit as he withdraws important information such as William's new Space Marines and STC forge). The basic information provided by the Cain was multiple Chapters of Space Marines and Imperial Guardsmen led by William as Lord Imperator Fratrum, multiple encounters with Chaos forces, and other Xenos such as Greenskins and Necrons. When the subject of Necron came, the Champion tensed up, and his face show rage as if Necron stole his purity seal.
"Champion? Is something wrong?" Cain asked while Jurgen paused a few feet away with a pot of Tanna and two cups in his hands.
"You said Necron? Are you certain?" Champion's question gave off rage and eagerness to leave the room. Seeing this, Cain explains further on the subject of Necron to which the problem is resolved with William slaying the Necron Overlord.
"That is good but did any of you managed to recover any Necron artifacts? It generates strange power, capable of boosting the Psyker's abilities and connection to the Warp."
"No, Champion. We found no such items or artifacts. What do you seek such unholy item?" Cain's question got Sergeant's attention who was near two people while overseeing everyone.
"Because the Chaos Sorcerer who was performing a ritual was using that very artifact to expand his power. If I'm here in this 'New World' and you already encountered forces of Chaos, it is possible that traitor made it here as well." This shocking news made sense to Cain after a few seconds of thinking about it. The possibility is high and from his previous experience, Cain always encounters something dangerous and is eager to take his life. Such as Chaos Marine (etc…) when he is on a side mission such as this. At this moment, Cain's left hand began to tingle, a common signal of his whenever there is danger near him as his unconscious mind told him something was wrong.
'By the Emperor's golden throne. Why do I have a feeling this is now more than simple reconnaissance?' Cain held his left hand with his right and accept the cup of Jurgen's Tanna tea. Cain bet his trusty chainsword and Commissar hat that he will encounter this lost Chaos Sorcerer and Necron artifact soon.
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One Hour Later,
With no power armor or anything armor to salvage, Emperor's Champion used adventurers' cloaks as a makeshift shirt and pants. It was somewhat acceptable and Champion didn't mind since his mission was clear and now seek Chaos Sorcerer and destroy Necron artifact.
With a Champion joining his party, Cain felt safer than ever. Having Emperor's Champion who wields the black sword and Jurgen's blank ability ensures Cain's survival chances much higher than any other time. Not to mention that Cain is certain his foe is the servant of the Chaos, he did this a thousand times and managed to survive them all (With huge luck and help from the Jurgen's ability).
'Focus Cain, you can't put your guard down now. Do remember what happened last time you travel with Space Marine? You end up fighting Orks and Genestealer inside of Space Hulk.' Shaking his head, Cain clears his mind and refocus as the party finally made it to the last hallway where a dim light was coming out from the opposite side. Approaching halfway towards the light, Cain and others began to hear chanting and some sort of humming beyond the hallway.
"This is it, I heard this before and I'm certain this belongs to Chaos Sorcerer. He did make it here just like me." Rage can be heard in Champion's voice as he attempts to go head first but before he could do that, Tina stopped the giant man with all her strength.
"Why are you stopping me, woman? I will slay you even if you are a hired help from the Commissar." The tension went up much higher and before Tina could explain, Cain jumped in and did his best to calm the situation.
"We don't have time for this. I'm sure she stopped you because we need to know what is ahead of up before jumping pit of fire. Let us check first and come up with a plan then you can kill and take your vengeance as you wish." Cain didn't take chance when it comes to situations where his life is on the line. The moment he heard the description of the Necron artifact, Cain suspected a similar one he previously encountered years ago. Cain knew Jurgen will be the key to either destroying the artifact or retrieving it for Lord William. That is if he can have Champion corporate with the rest of the party and most importantly, keep himself alive.
"Fine."
With that, Cain sent his best scout to check the final room while the rest of the guardsmen and adventurers prepare themselves for the fight. When the scout returned a few minutes later he seems disturbed but managed to compose himself to describe the room.
"The final room is a large chamber with half of the room on the other side missing the floor. The room, well the chamber looks like some kind of ritual and it is filled with full-blown cultists. I estimated it to be around 40 to 50 and just like Emperor's Champion said, the one who is leading the cultists is the traitor Space Marine with strange armor and staff on his hand." Scout did his best to describe the room but Cain can tell that the scout is in shock as if he saw something no one should ever see in their lives.
"I know you are processing what you saw but please complete your report." Cain encourages the man just like how he should be acting as a Hero of the Imperium and care for the common trooper's well-being. This small act worked as the scout took a deep breath to finish his report.
"The Chaos Sorcerer, he was performing the ritual on to some kind of metal sphere generating green and purple lights. Also, I couldn't tell clearly but I think I saw engraving within the sphere. I looked like an ocean wave and…" Before the scout could finish the report, the Emperor's Champion lift his black sword and charge towards the chamber where Chaos cultists are performing a sinister ritual.
"For the Emperor! I'm coming for you, traitor!"
"A frak. Everyone, follow the champion. We have to support him now or we will be overwhelmed soon." Cain cursed and quickly order his men to join the Champion. It is now or never and Cain must act before Emperor's Champion of an idiot get himself killed.
"Jurgen, stay close to me and have that melta ready."
"Yes sir," Jurgen responds as if Cain asked him to bring out a pot of Tanna teas while holing his meltagun.
When Cain and the rest of the party entered the chamber, the place was already blood bath and a dozen corpses were everywhere. Champion, holding an activated black power sword cleaves anyone and anything it was standing in his way while cultists attack him from all directions with simple knives and axes.
'They must be locals who turned by the Chaos Sorcerer.' Realizing this, Cain engaged in combat as he shot a few shots from his laspistol and draw his chainsword for close combat. Meanwhile, Tina and her party members maintain their ground while their psyker cast strange light to boost everyone's physical strength.
As for the Valhallans, they began firing their lasguns while keeping up with Cain. Because they were prepared, they had their bayonet attached to their lasgun so they can fight in close combat. Due to their superior weaponry and combat armor, the cultists went down much quicker until suddenly one of the cultists blow a horn.
The sound of the horn echoed across the entire chamber and just as the cultist finished blowing the horn, Cain fire his laspistol, killing the man without hesitation.
"Why did he blow that strange horn?" Jurgen question the action of the cultist as he stood next to Cain but anyone could say anything, the entire chamber rumbled with each pattern of something large coming their way.
"I think we are going to find out soon." Private Henderson spoke while he reloads his lasgun powerpack with a new one and blasted a few shots at incoming cultists.
"Wait, where is Campion?" Cain, realizing that their biggest ally is not among them, looks around to find the Space Marine. Right away, they all found the Champion as he was engaged in a battle against Chaos Sorcerer.
Even though he isn't in his Champion's power armor, the Champion was fighting the Chaos Sorcerer in an equal match as he didn't give the traitor a chance to cast any wrap sorcery. With masterful swordsmanship, the Champion quickly exchange his black sword from his right hand to his left hand and decapitated the Chaos Sorcerer's entire hands as if it was child's play.
"AAAHHH! You! I knew you were no…" The Chaos Sorcerer didn't finish his sentence as the Emperor's Champion deliver his finishing blow by cutting the traitor in half from head to toe.
With the traitor dead and interrupting the Chaos ritual before completion, Cain signed and took in a deep breath. With masterful execution done by the Champion, everyone forgot that something big was coming, and the only person who remained focused was Jurgen.
"Finally, I'm about to accomplish my mission once and for all." Champion said to himself and approach the artifact that was no longer glowing. Seeing this, Cain called his aide to follow him and call out the Champion.
"Wait, let me and Jurgen handle that. You don't know what will do to you." The warning didn't matter as a second later Champion grab the metal sphere without hesitation or worries. Just as Cain and Jurgen are about to reach the Champion who is now holding an unknown Necron artifact, something big and scaly appeared from the abyss.
Coming out from the empty dark floor was a giant purple reptile with five heads. All fives snake heads hissed and opened their mouths for a moment. Before realizing what was going on, The Lernaean Hydra unleash an acid-breath attack on the largest group in front of him.
Valhallans who were holding the line as the rest of the cultists surround them couldn't dodge the incoming acid attack as they received the breath attack from the hydra.
In a matter of a second, all of the guardsmen (Except for Private Henderson who happened to stick with Cain and Jurgen) died as their flesh, clothes, and gears melted like cotton candy mixed with water. As for the cultists, they also perished like the guardsmen as they experience the same faith.
"No!" Private Henderson cried out for his fallen brothers and turn his lasgun at the Lernaean Hydra. Cain, who is a veteran soldier and has years of battle experience as a commissar controlled his emotion and gave a simple order to his loyal aide who happened to be holding a heavy anti-armor gun in his hand.
"Jurgen, do your thing."
"Of course, sir." Pointing his meltagun towards hydra, Jurgen fired his weapon, unleashing tens of thousands of degrees of the heat of the beam at the monster of a legend.
