090, Space Wolf: There is no wolf on Fenris (4)

[The engines of the Thunderhawk transport roared as it soared over the snow-covered land, crossing vast, desolate valleys.]

[Awakening from your slumber, you leaned against the cabin window, gazing out at the magnificent scenery flashing by.]

[In the valley below, Fenrisian elk scattered in a panic, fleeing in all directions.]

[The Fenrisian wolf packs, which had been hunting the prey, halted their pursuit.]

[They raised their necks, covered in black manes, and let out long howls toward the Thunderhawk transport.]

[As the Thunderhawk flew on, the valley landscape quickly faded behind you.]

[You stood up and took the jerky that the wolf priest Ulrik handed you, carefully softening it with saliva before continuing to chew.]

[With his eyes closed, Ulrik sat in the transport seat, his armored fingers drumming incessantly on the ceramic-steel of his knee.]

[From his gradually relaxing expression, you vaguely sensed a deep, heartfelt emotion.]

[It was the joy and longing of a lone wolf returning home.]

[You tore at the jerky, your gaze once again drifting to the view outside the window.]

[The Thunderhawk carried you into an endless range of ice mountains.]

[You saw shadowy figures draped in animal pelts carrying prey across the snow.]

[Not far away, a group of tall figures in power armor noticed the Thunderhawk's presence and sound, seemingly waving in your direction.]

[Unfortunately, the Thunderhawk's speed was too great, and you had no time to observe them closely.]

[By the time you had eaten half of the jerky,]

[The Thunderhawk entered an even more desolate giant mountain range.]

[White steam rose from snow evaporating on black rocks,]

[While streams of scorching magma erupted from the cracks in the mountains.]

[You stared at the terrifying magma, which reached heights almost equal to the Thunderhawk's flight altitude, for a moment forgetting to chew your jerky.]

[Then, an even more stunning sight appeared before your eyes.]

[It was a towering, majestic giant mountain.]

[Compared to the jagged black mountains surrounding it, it looked like an adult giant standing among a group of children.]

[As the Thunderhawk drew closer to the giant mountain, it began to slow down.]

[For the first time, you clearly saw the massive caves carved into the side of the giant mountain.]

[Each cave was guarded by a massive metal door, large enough to allow a battle-class Titan to enter and exit repeatedly.]

[At the same time, a number of metallic structures reflecting faint light were connected by winding, thick metal pipes, making the entire mountain look like a terrifying giant serpent lying prone, its head and tail unseen.]

["Mortal, we've arrived… Welcome to Wolf's Teeth Fort!" The powerful voice of the wolf priest Ulrik cut through the roar of the Thunderhawk's engines and reached your ears.]

[In the fifth week, you arrived at the Space Wolves' battle group's stronghold, Wolf's Teeth Fort, alongside Ulrik.]

[For the first time, you saw so many Astartes priests.]

[Clad in power armor, they were fully armed as they boarded one Thunderhawk after another, constantly flying out through the doors of blood and fire, into the sky.]

[The air in the hangar was filled with the mixed scent of oil and chemical agents.]

[Red-robed tech-priests, with the help of numerous servitors, were maintaining and repairing massive vehicles that you had never seen before.]

[Feeling tense, you wore a simple bear-skin outfit and closely followed Ulrik's steps.]

[Ulrik led you to a simple metal-forged room.]

[He removed the wolf skull from his head and, with a serious expression, told you,]

[Since you were an outsider from beyond Fenris, the upcoming trials required him to inform the Wolf Lords and the Elders in the battle group and get their approval.]

[However, Ulrik assured you not to worry, for since he had chosen to bring you back, he was confident in his decision.]

[Ulrik's towering figure turned and left.]

[You used the flowing water in the room's pool to wash your foul-smelling body.]

[Just as you were using a makeshift knife made from sea monster teeth to tend to your hair,]

[A tall figure in power armor suddenly entered the room.]

[It was an Astartes priest with red hair, and he blinked his yellow Fenrisian wolf-like eyes, signaling for you to come with him.]

[You took a deep breath and sheathed your makeshift knife.]

[The unfamiliar Astartes priest led you through long, winding passages, gradually taking you deeper into the heart of Wolf's Teeth Fort.]

[Soon, you arrived in front of a massive black stone door, engraved with a two-headed eagle and a wolf's head.]

[As the black stone door opened, the howling wind swept across your face.]

[At the same time, two deep, pitch-black entrances appeared before your eyes.]

["Follow me," the red-haired Astartes priest said, turning to you.]

[Without hesitation, he entered one of the entrances, disappearing from your sight.]

[You couldn't help but lick your cracked lips and stepped forward to enter the entrance.]

[The sudden sensation of weightlessness made your heart leap.]

[But the friction of something moving behind you slowly eased your nerves.]

[You fell into an underground cavern filled with the smell of sulfur.]

[The red-haired Astartes priest stood before a massive archway.]

["This is the Morkai Gate. Only those whose bodies and souls are worthy of the Space Wolves may pass through it, and there are only two possibilities waiting for you: death or glory…" He raised his hand and pointed to the enormous archway, which was carved with a wolf's head and mysterious runes, speaking lazily.]

["Do you… dare to try it?" The red-haired Astartes priest blinked his wolf-like yellow eyes, staring at you.]

[You faintly sensed a rhythmic, almost unearthly power emanating from beyond the archway.]

[It was a terrifying force that you could not fully comprehend.]

[You tilted your head back, took a deep breath, and boldly walked toward the archway.]

[However, just as you placed one foot inside the archway,]

["By Russ, what have you done, Lucas?!"]

[The furious shout of the wolf priest Ulrik suddenly echoed throughout the underground cavern.]

[Your gaze instinctively shifted to the Astartes priest named Lucas.]

[He blinked his yellow wolf-like eyes at you once more.]

[Before you could say anything,]

[You were instantly struck by a bone-chilling cold and a burning heat that seemed to melt your flesh, alternating in waves.]

[You felt as if you were experiencing a violent shift in time and space.]

[In the midst of the disorientation, you seemed to enter a magnificent palace, where purple and pink lights intermingled and fused.]

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