118 We are the Hammer and Light
Next Day,
"Now, explain yourself," Rana said to Lady Shaw as each lady sat down as if it was a simple conversation between nobles. But this isn't simple as it seems as Lady Shaw is currently on house arrest under William's order for her betrayal.
"What can I say to justify what I did? My mother and everyone I care of is taken hostage and to ensure their safety, I had to do what was told to do. My only instruction was to make sure Lord William goes outside the fortress, nothing more after." Lady Shaw shows remorse but also a concern for her family as she knows something terrible would have happened to them by now.
"Why didn't you come to us? You know William and I are willing to help if you asked us." Said, Rana.
"Do you truly believe it would have worked? I, a lady of the Shaw household asking you and the giant warrior for help? A similar giant who blackmail me with my family's life and you expect me to ask you, who physically changed due to an unknown deity's blessing and leader of giants with mysterious origins? I did my investigation on Lord William and I found nothing about him before he made his appearance in Greenhill. How can I trust anyone at this point?" Lady Shaw said to Rana as her face turn red and tears up to blink of crying.
"You have a point but you are wrong," Rana said to Gabriella and grab her hands to ensure her of trusting her.
"We have known each other for most of our lives. You may not know this but I always envy you and your gift. I know you foresaw the Legellan invasion and made preparation by persuading your mother a year ahead. Thanks to you, many of the cities made reservations for supplies and I know you are the one who sent the reinforcement by asking King Benton after hearing of my counterattack against invaders. You are someone I admire to be and how can I turn away when you need help?" Rana reveals her secret admiration to Gabriella. Rana, who is known for her courage on the battlefield was in fact admired by many but she herself always admired Gabriella for her strategic mind and wide view of the nation's needs.
"How could I trust anyone when I was pushed to the corner? He had spies everywhere and everything I did resulted in failure. The man known as Alpharius is beyond my ability and I couldn't do anything except obey his instruction." Gabriella said to Rana as her eyes tear up. Just as Rana was about to say something, the doors opened and William in his terminator armor entered the room without his helmet on.
"And that is why I'm here to handle this 'Alpharius'. Follow me," William raises his left hand to show the way for Gabriella to follow. William's facial expression is hard to read as he maintains his stern face and tone of command.
Gabriella got up from her sit and walk towards the exit. Rana got up but William hold his hand to stop her from following them. With no explanation, William guide Gabriella and left the room in silence. After walking for a few minutes, Gabriella spoke first.
"Are you going to execute me for what I did? You said you will handle the man named Alpharius but what will happen to my people? They, no, Alderim need your help."
"..." William didn't say anything and continued walking.
"Say something, Lord William. Will you doom everyone because of what I did? You can't be this callus." Gabriella's last words made William stop and turn around to face the lady who is now horrified by a giant demi god-like warrior.
"You are still alive not because I'm a kind or forgiving person. You are alive because of Prince Benton's personal request, if it wasn't for him, you would be in a very different situation. As for Alderim, it is not my concern as I have my own to rule and protect. Your action from last night shattered the relationship and trust between us. I have no obligation to stop this man, Alpharius as he is no longer in my realm." William's cold voice made Gabriella shiver in fear. She knew the consequence of her action but to sever the relationship between the two nations is extreme. Gabriella couldn't think of any excuse and remained silent, regretting all her actions and being unable to fix her mistakes. William continues.
"That is what I would have said if you simply attempt my life for your own personal gain." William then opens the door to reveal the open balcony of the fortress. The sunlight temporarily blinded Gabriella as it took her a few moments to adjust her vision and see what was in front of her.
She and William were standing on the second floor with stairs on each side and a clear view of the main entrance to the fortress. In front of Gabriella's view was an army, an army of huge magnitude that never anyone have ever seen before. A massive assembly of Astra Militarum of all kinds is in formation, ready to deploy. Various military vehicles of land and air are standing behind the guards while two Freeblades Knights stand ready as pilots and Tech priests make the last-minute checks.
Behind the Knights are Space Marines, ready to lead the Astra Militarum and everyone as a spearhead of the formation, waiting for an order from their Chapter Master. With more than half of William's forces assembled, a man with the highest ranking within Astra Militarum approached William and Gabriella. The man only has one arm and is aged beyond his natural life but his eyes show the discipline and life of a long military man, Lord Commander Castellan Ursarkar E. Creed entered the scene.
"My lord, as you commanded, the majority of our forces are assembled and ready to deploy on your command." Lord Commander Creed salute William and turn around to face the army as each and every one of them faced where William and Gabriella are.
"Why?" Gabriella can only ask in the simplest as she couldn't understand what was happening. One moment ago, she was ready to accept her faith as a dead woman and now, she is about to witness the greatest military force gathered to invade.
"Why you ask. I'm not a cold-hearted man who would turn a blind eye to allies who are in trouble. Your mother and I had an agreement, this makes her problem, my problem. You, Lady Shaw, are not alone and I will make sure the world knows of it." William said to Gabriella and gestured for one of his company captains to join him.
A rough-looking man in his power armor and his giant wolf join William and Gabriella. Gabriella once again is terrified by the monster size wolf and unable to move but soon found out she has nothing to worry about as William asks her gently after a man in power armor stopped.
"Lady Shaw, do you have any item belonging to your mother?
"What? Oh," Gabriella hesitates for a second before bringing out a small pouch. Inside is a locket of hair and from what William could guess, it belongs to Gabriella's mother.
"Captain, will this be sufficient for your wolves to track?"
"Yes, Chapter Master. My wolves will track the scent even if it's the end of the world." The Fifth captain of the Blacksouls said and accept the hair lock from Gabriella. With the key item to track the missing noblewoman, the former Space Wolves took off with his wolf and rejoin his packs of 13 Space Marines.
"Where are they going?" Gabriella asked as she saw a large group leaving the army and disappearing somewhere else.
"They will be leaving ahead of us for a special mission to rescue your mother. My intelligence informed me that Alpharius went beyond the fortress wall, to the land of the vampires. The intel also informed me of the possible location of the hostages as Alpharius didn't have time to relocate them. Don't worry, we have a way to travel faster than conventional methods and by the time we arrive, they would accomplish their mission and secure the temporary base for us." William ensures Gabriella as he recalls what information Trazyn told him last night. One thing is certain about old Trazyn, he knows how to locate certain things, including various listening and tracking devices in his properties.
With his vanguards gone, William turns around to face the army and activates his vox channel to broadcast his voice.
"This is Chapter Master William of the Legion of Blacksouls. It's been a peaceful day until last night. The traitors once again appear before us and made a mess before escaping from justice. This insult can't be ignored. It is possible that this could be a trap. But, I will not ignore this as my duty demands the destruction of the traitors. We are the protectors of the men, the first and last line of humanity. We are the Imperium's eternal shield and blade against unholy foes. We are the hammer of the Imperium and we are the light against the darkness. Emperor protects!"
"Emperor protects!" The entire army shouts as one, shaking the very ground and bringing the might of humanity into the new world they stand.
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Divine Realm,
'Man, it is taking so long.' Star Child said to himself after observing the current event in the New World. The progress of William and his ultimate battle is taking more than Star Child's liking. Even though he himself is immortal and possesses the power of the gods (Doesn't mean he is one of them), the eventuality of William's decision will swift the path Star Child predicted.
'Maybe I can make a few adjustments to speed things up. Wait… let's not rush things like last time. I might end up making more mess than before.' With that, Star Child closes the rift mirror with a simple wave of his hand. William will confront the 20th and make a discovery that will lead to the final phase of the Star Child's plan. With it, he himself will gain the ultimate vessel and return to the material world and William will return everyone who was summoned back to their original world, in exchange for his own life.
The great acts of sacrifice. There is always an individual who made the ultimate sacrifice in exchange for good of all living. Malcador the Hero, Sanguinius the Great Angel, Rylanor the Ancient, and countless souls of the Imperium's finest who stood the very ground to fight the forces of Chaos.
William will be no exception in the end. Star Child has foreseen the possible future and he will be the one who makes the greatest sacrifices just as other have done before. His deeds won't be recorded in the walls of the Holy Terra, and his achievements won't be recognized as they will never see the light. Just like millions of names and their small victories that shaped and will shape the Imperium for ten thousand years since great Hersey.
"My lord!" A feminine voice called upon Star Child while he was deep in his thoughts. The owner of the voice appeared in bright light and hovered near Star Child. Armed with golden armor and white wings, the Living Saint Celestine appeared before Star Child and bow with grace.
"Yes, my child. You have come a long way," Said Star Child. Normally, Living Saint appears to him when she has something important to report such as world-ending events or a great calamity from beyond the stars.
"My lord, I have found it! I found the worthy vessel for you to return to Materium as a living, breathing being once again." The excitement in Celestine's voice made Star Child remain silent as if he need to process something in his head. At this moment, the only thing Star Child can think of is how everything suddenly changed and how it will impact the future as it opened a new but similar result in the end.
'Well, that is unexpected. I guess I have more work to do.'
