44 Chapter 44: The Dark Moon, A Scythe's Gift

*Endurance*, Astartes Personal Quarters.

Now.

Inside the standard quarters of an Astartes, Hades sat at his desk, deep in thought.

After persuading Mortarion to get back to his duties, Hades had returned to his own resting chamber.

He first tried to sense his psychic null field, the 'black realm', but found he could only extend it to the surface of his skin.

It felt like a prison.

Regarding the 'black realm', Hades planned to later seek information on the Untouchables. In his memories before his translocation, the Untouchables didn't manifest their null fields like Hades did.

Setting aside his questions about the 'black realm', Hades focused on his cybernetic left brain.

As he concentrated, he realized his left brain functioned like a computer.

He could consciously store memories, retrieve them, or even delete them.

Feeling the surface of his cyber-brain, Hades discovered several ports at the back.

Were they for future mechanical control?

One of the ports already had a chip inserted. Removing it, Hades found it to be akin to a USB drive, where he could choose to store memories and knowledge.

How convenient!

So, if he plugged a knowledge-filled chip into his brain port, he could instantly acquire that knowledge.

Moreover, Hades could offload vast calculations to this half of his brain, allowing for different computations and thoughts between the two hemispheres.

What surprised Hades was that the functions controlling basic bodily functions, like the brainstem, were compensated for by the enhanced right hemisphere. The left cyber-brain lacked these functions.

In essence, this left cyber-brain was a cerebral computer, aiding in learning, memory, calculations, and mechanical control.

It was reminiscent of the cybernetic enhancements the Adeptus Mechanicus tech-priests installed in themselves.

But what Hades didn't know was that his cyber-brain's computational power and efficiency far surpassed those of the Mechanicus.

Unable to glean more about his cyber-brain, Hades shifted his attention to his left eye.

As expected, the eye had built-in x-ray vision.

Night vision? The eyes of a post-transformation Astartes could already see clearly in the dark.

Moreover, images seen by the left eye could be directly stored in the cyber-brain. Unfortunately, Hades found that this eye couldn't coolly shoot lasers.

Perhaps he could modify his left eye and brain in the future?

Time flew as Hades explored his cybernetic enhancements.

Because he was just starting to consciously control his cyber-brain, he lost track of time.

It was already past midnight. Even for an Astartes, it was time to rest.

Hades rose from his desk, heading to his bed.

But just as he was about to drift into his thoughts—

*Knock, knock, knock*

The doorbell interrupted him.

A servitor slowly entered.

"Lord Hades, please change into the i3 combat attire and proceed to the Beta Reception Room 508 on the 36th floor."

The i3 combat attire wasn't designed for combat but was more of a ceremonial dress for Astartes who, for some reason, couldn't wear their power armor.

Someone wishes to see me?

Hades quickly changed and followed the servitor. The dimly lit corridor was empty, given it was 1:36 AM by the standard Terran time, the resting period for Astartes.

Upon reaching the destination, the servitor bowed and opened the door for Hades.

Instantly, an unusual sensation enveloped him!

The room, devoid of furniture save for banners on the walls, was occupied by two squads of Silent Sisters and two Custodes.

Mortarion stood opposite them, arms crossed, with Captain Barasin of the First Squad standing rigidly beside him.

The unusual aura Hades felt emanated from the Silent Sisters. Their psychic null fields felt different from his own, similar yet fundamentally distinct.

Hades's entrance broke the tense standoff.

The Custodes, seeing Hades, nodded slightly and moved aside. The Silent Sisters parted, revealing two of them holding a massive scythe.

The scythe was pitch black, its curved handle seeming naturally formed. The blade gleamed under the light, its serrated edge looking razor-sharp. Intricate silver patterns adorned the junction of the blade and handle, resembling lightning but also hinting at vast landscapes.

This was a heavy chainscythe, but not a conventional one. Instead of a blunt head, it had a sharp bayonet-like tip.

"Death Guard Hades," the Custodes began, "For your distinguished service in the liberation of Barbarus, by the Emperor's decree, this scythe is bestowed upon you."

Hades took the scythe, and instantly, his 'black realm' surged into it, causing the silver patterns to shimmer.

The Custodes continued, "This scythe was previously held by the Silent Sisters. For various reasons, it had not found a worthy master. Today, it is yours. Wield it in the Emperor's name, and expand the Imperium's dominion."

Hades, still in awe, clutched the scythe, which now felt slightly oversized for him.

Mortarion, seeing Hades's daze, broke the silence, "Keep it."

Perhaps the Emperor just liked gifting weapons, Mortarion mused, glancing at his own sidearm, the "Lantern", a xenotech pistol he'd chosen as a gift from the Emperor.

But Hades was still lost in thought, captivated by the scythe.

"Requiem," he whispered.