Hades, in a daze, found himself once again transported by the insectoid vessel of the Korhal Zerg Sage.
He hung limply from the insect's joint, before being handed over to the original body's vehicle.
Mak'gora followed closely behind, but he looked far more drained than before, evident fatigue etching his face.
Once aboard, Mak'gora curled up in a corner, closing his eyes to rest.
Hades, still groggy, sat and observed the mechanical sage, sparks flying off him.
On closer inspection, wasn't this the Sage Lan'ze?
The insectoid vessel's sharp legs reached in, lifting the sparking, oil-dripping Sage Kork'lan. The Korhal Zerg Sage then took him away with the vessel.
Hades stared blankly at the oil dripping from the sage, lost in thought.
"You can collaborate with Sage Kork'lan in the future, Hades," Mortarion's voice echoed, his gaze coldly following the mechanical sage's departure.
Ah, that sage had indeed deceived Hades in his personal information.
Hades blinked, "What did you say to him?"
The sage had been so stubborn before.
"Oh," Mortarion replied nonchalantly, "I just told him I despise the Emperor and that the Death Guard would exterminate every psyker."
What?!
Hades snapped to attention, instinctively glancing at Mak'gora.
Mak'gora's expression was a mix of resignation, disdain, and numbness, clearly understanding everything.
Hades suddenly felt sympathy for Mak'gora, who had endured Mortarion's company for years.
With a "Do you even realize what you're saying?" look, Hades turned to Mortarion, "What else did you say?"
"Oh, I told him to discuss the details of the collaboration with you," Mortarion said, looking utterly justified.
"That's all."
Hades felt a lump in his throat. Mortarion, you might be an original body and can say whatever you want, but don't drag me into it!
The red sands rolled past outside. Soon, the silhouette of the Tech-Priest base appeared on the horizon.
Mak'gora, who had been resting, finally spoke, "Hades, you now know everything. What remains is for you to witness and recall."
Hades blinked, "Can you be more specific?"
No riddles, please!
Mak'gora looked at Hades with a weary expression, as if regretting the effort he'd expended to send Hades into the dream, "Do you think I know?"
Mortarion coughed.
Watching the two humans who clearly couldn't communicate effectively, Mak'gora closed his mike.
He began to question the Emperor's hiring standards.
Realizing he'd asked a foolish question, Hades rubbed his nose and wisely chose to remain silent.
But... anti-psyker devices... Necrons?
Hades pondered, where would he dig up Necron tombs now?
Unknown, unknown.
A black obelisk stood in the city center, surrounded by smooth marble. Praises and hymns were etched on the walls, intricate patterns all around.
This place should be filled with hymns.
But the people were gone.
Not even the stench of decay remained.
Hades stood on the ground, leaning against the vehicle, feeling nauseated from his dream. Mortarion stood beside him, and in the distance, the unique enhanced binoculars of the Tech-Priests flashed.
"Return to the Legion quickly," Mortarion said, "The Legion's orders have been issued. Once the Barbarus star region is clear, the Death Guard will advance to the front."
Hades took a deep breath, trying to shake off his weakness.
He knew of the Death Guard's first battle.
Galaspa.
In this battle against the massive Hive City, the Death Guard suffered heavy losses, and the opposing Tyrant paid a bloody price.
Bodies piled up like mountains.
In Galaspa, it was also the first encounter between Karastefon and the Necron psykers.
The first battle of the Death Guard had a profound impact on the culture of the Legion.
Hades' eyes were filled with mixed emotions. Before the battle began, he had to return.
Initially, his rush to Mars was because of this battle.
Hades wanted to participate in this battle, so he had to return from Mars quickly.
"Understood," Hades said.
Mortarion nodded, watching Hades leave.
But the moment Hades stepped into the Tech-Priest dormitory—
"Dueling cage! Now! Immediately!"
"Hades, who are you not familiar with?!"
Wolf Mannings lunged at him.