Chapter 1: The Awakening

Baal

Baal , a harsh and unforgiving planet, stretched endlessly beneath the sickly yellow sky. The ground was a cracked and barren wasteland, riddled with the remnants of ancient battles and the radiation that had long since seeped into every crevice. For those who called this place home, survival was a daily struggle against both the elements and the mutated beasts that roamed the desolate landscape.

The twin suns of Baal over the desolate landscape. Red dust swirled in the air, carried by dry, hot winds that whispered through the jagged rocks and cracked earth. Amidst this inhospitable terrain, a young man named Thaddeus Valen stood at the edge of a ravine. His piercing green eyes scanning the horizon.

Thaddeus was not ordinary. Even at the tender age of twelve, he possessed a strength and resilience that set him apart from his peers. His high cheekbones and noble visage hinted at a lineage of warriors, and his shoulder-length golden hair shone like a beacon in the harsh sunlight. 

He was a survivor of seventeen summers, who had known more hardship in his short life than most could imagine. His parents, like many others, had fallen to the ravages of the wasteland, leaving him to fend for himself in a world that showed no mercy. Thaddeus had grown strong and resourceful

The Blood Angels were legendary figures on Baal Secundus. Tales of their valor and nobility were whispered around campfires, inspiring awe and reverence among the inhabitants. Thaddeus had always dreamed of joining their ranks, of rising above the squalor and brutality of his existence to become a protector of humanity. 

Stories of the Blood Angels, the noble sons of Sanguinius, were whispered. These superhuman warriors, clad in resplendent crimson armor, were the defenders of humanity, bringing death to the Emperor's enemies and hope to the downtrodden.

One fateful day, as Thaddeus scavenged for supplies amidst the ruins of an ancient city, a sudden commotion in the sky drew his attention. The ground trembled beneath his feet, and the air was filled with the deafening roar of engines. Looking up, Thaddeus saw them—massive, crimson-clad figures descending from the heavens. The Blood Angels had arrived.

Clad in their formidable power armor, each Blood Angel stood over seven feet tall, their bodies enhanced by the most advanced genetic engineering the Imperium had to offer. Their armor, a marvel of technology, was adorned with intricate designs and symbols of their heritage, reflecting both their martial prowess and their artistic inclinations. As they landed, their presence commanded awe and fear in equal measure, a testament to their status as the Emperor's chosen warriors.

Leading them was Chapter Master Raldoron, a figure of legend among the Blood Angels. His presence was both regal and commanding. With his master-crafted weapons and his imposing demeanor, Raldoron was the very embodiment of the Blood Angels' legacy.

Thaddeus, his heart pounding in his chest, decided to approach. Every step was careful, deliberate, and filled with a mixture of fear and awe. He could feel the eyes of the Astartes on him, their gazes heavy with judgment.

Raldoron: It is rare to be approached like this by a young man. Usually, people respect us and don't approach. If we tell them they are recruited,, they will just follow what we say. He waved to the young man to approach closer.

Thaddeus Valen: Taking a deep breath, Thaddeus steps forward, his voice steady despite the fear racing through him. "Great lords, I am Thaddeus Valen. I wish to serve the Emperor, to become one of you."

Raldoron: Noticing the young man's boldness, the Chapter Master looks at him, his gaze piercing. "You wish to join the ranks of the Blood Angels? You wish to become an Astartes?"

Thaddeus Valen: Nodding resolutely, Thaddeus meets Raldoron's gaze with unwavering determination. "Yes, my lord. It is my greatest desire."

Thaddeus thought that if he went with them, he would have more chances of surviving than here on Baal Secundus. He was tired of running, hiding, and scavenging for food. Wearing that armor, he would be safer and stronger.

Raldoron: The stern expression on Raldoron's face softens slightly, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "Very well. We are seeking candidates to join our ranks. This path is perilous, and many do not survive. But you will be reborn as one of the Emperor's Angels of Death."

Thaddeus' heart raced with excitement; he would soon become an Astartes and leave this wasteland of a planet. He thought the path ahead, though perilous, could not be as harsh as this planet. Oh boy, he was wrong.

The Blood Angels began their search for potential recruits, or so thought Thaddeus, but they simply asked random people if they had families. If not, they were fit to join.

Thaddeus watched the people recruited—some young, some adults, even some older people. "So there are no criteria, no special people?" Thaddeus thought. He kept thinking, but in the end, decided not to give it much thought. As he followed the Blood Angels towards their drop pods, he couldn't help but marvel at their sheer size and the power radiating from their presence. He would become like them, massive and strong.

The Blood Angels' camp was a hive of activity. Servitors—cybernetic slaves who performed menial and maintenance tasks—and Chapter serfs—humans who served the Astartes—moved with purpose, maintaining the war machines and tending to the needs of the Astartes. Thaddeus saw the vast array of wargear and the meticulous care with which it was handled. Each piece of armor and weaponry was a work of art, combining deadly efficiency with the craftsmanship of the finest artisans.

Of course Thaddeus didn't know what Servitors and Chapter serfs were. 

Upon entering the camp, Thaddeus was led to a large tent with the other 'chosen ones'. There stood a stern-looking Astartes, his armor adorned with purity seals (parchment inscribed with holy texts, affixed to the armor as a mark of faith and honor) and a massive crozius arcanum (a ceremonial mace that serves as a symbol of office for a Chaplain, also used as a weapon) at his side, stepped forward.

Chaplain: "I am Chaplain Arael. You have been chosen to undergo the gene operations to become a Blood Angel. Know that this path is fraught with peril, and many will not survive. But for those who do, glory and honor await as you join the ranks of the Emperor's finest."

Transformation

Inside the tent, the air was thick with anticipation and fear. Thaddeus and the other recruits were guided to a row of medical cots, each one surrounded by advanced medical equipment that hummed and beeped softly. A team of Sanguinary Priests, the specialized medics of the Blood Angels, moved with precision and purpose, their white armor stained with the remnants of countless surgeries.

Thaddeus lay on the cot, his heart pounding. The reality of his decision was setting in. He glanced around at the others , some of whom wore expressions of grim determination, while others looked as though they might flee at any moment.

Sanguinary Priest: "Remain still," an Sanguinary Priest instructed, his voice a monotone through his helmet's vox-grille. "The process will begin shortly. You are about to undergo a series of procedures that will transform you into something far greater than you are now."

Thaddeus nodded, his mouth dry. He had heard stories of the transformation process, of the pain and the changes it would bring. The Sanguinary Priests began their work, injecting Thaddeus with a cocktail of powerful anesthetics and gene-altering compounds. The first of many implants, the Secondary Heart, was carefully inserted into his chest, designed to increase his resilience and stamina.

As the hours passed, more implants followed—the Ossmodula, to strengthen his bones; the Biscopea, to enhance his muscle growth; and the Haemastamen, to boost the production of red blood cells. Each procedure brought a new wave of pain and discomfort, but Thaddeus endured. This is insignificant! He tightened his jaw and held on as thoughts of his suffering on Baal Secundus came to him.

Thaddeus' body was wracked with agony as the gene-seed, the very essence of the Blood Angels, was introduced into his system. He could feel it taking hold, rewriting his genetic code, transforming him into a superhuman warrior. The process was brutal, and several of the recruits did not survive, their bodies unable to withstand the strain.

Through the haze of pain, Thaddeus could feel his body changing. He grew taller, his muscles expanded, and his senses sharpened. The world around him became clearer, more vibrant. He could hear the faintest whispers, see the smallest details, and smell the acrid scent of the chemicals in the air.

As the final procedure ended, Thaddeus lay on the cot, gasping for breath. He was drenched in sweat, his body trembling from the ordeal. But he had survived. He was no longer the boy who had scavenged for survival on Baal Secundus. He was something more, something greater.

Sanguinary Priest: "You have done well," the Sanguinary Priest said, his voice now tinged with a hint of respect. "Rest now. Your training will begin soon, and you will need your strength."

Thaddeus closed his eyes, exhaustion overtaking him. He had taken the first step on the path to becoming a Blood Angel. The journey ahead would be long and arduous, but he was ready. He would face any challenge, endure any pain, to become one of the Emperor's Angels of Death.

The Spiritual Transformation

The final step of Thaddeus's initiation was the most mysterious and daunting. It involved a spiritual transformation guided by a Librarian, the psykers of the Blood Angels, who would delve into the depths of Thaddeus's mind. This process was not just about enhancing his physical abilities, but also about preparing his spirit for the burdens of being an Astartes. And also to get rid of his lust. 

(When a person becomes an astartes, they sacrifice their lives to the service of the Emperor and technically become inhuman to do so. Because of this, the children of Astartes would not be humans but some would be at extreme risk of being corrupted by chaos and mutation. Astartes exhibit no interest in reproduction unless powerful daemons of Slaanesh are trying to corrupt them using warp magics. All of this is extremely dangerous and would be investigated by the Inquisition, who would just shoot anyone possibly accidentally involved in the inquisitor's suspicions of heresy.)

Inside a dimly lit chamber, the air thick with the scent of incense, Thaddeus sat across from the Librarian, whose eyes glowed faintly with psychic power. The Librarian reached out, touching Thaddeus's forehead, and a sudden rush of images and sensations flooded Thaddeus's mind. Memories of his past, fears, and hopes all surfaced and twisted together. The Librarian's voice echoed through the maelstrom, guiding Thaddeus towards acceptance of his new fate, reshaping his very essence.

"You are being reborn, Thaddeus. Let go of what you were and embrace what you will become. You are a son of Sanguinius now, a guardian of the Imperium," intoned the Librarian.

The session left Thaddeus exhausted but spiritually renewed. He felt a connection to something greater than himself, a calling that transcended his previous existence. The transformation was complete, but this was only the beginning of his true test.

What followed was two years of grueling training that pushed Thaddeus to the limits of his endurance. Each day was a gauntlet of blood, sweat, and tears, each night was a brief respite filled with lessons on warfare, strategy, and the lore of the Blood Angels.

As Thaddeus grew into his role, he formed bonds with his fellow initiates, each struggling through their own trials. Together, they slowly transformed from mere survivors of Baal Secundus into proud warriors of the Blood Angels.

As the chapter closes, Thaddeus, now a full-fledged Space Marine, stands with his brothers on the eve of their first deployment. The drop pods are ready; the target is a rebel-held system where they will taste true battle for the first time.

As they prepare to board their pods, an urgent message arrives from high command, hinting at a far greater threat than mere rebels. Something ancient and terrifying has awakened in their target world—a shadow from the past that threatens to consume them all.

Thaddeus looks to his brothers, their faces set with determination, and knows whatever lies ahead, they will face it together. The pod doors close with a resounding clang, sealing them in darkness.