095, Space Wolf: There is no wolf on Fenris (9)

Week 12: [You wear a crown of brass and steel, a symbol of knowledge and power, placed on your head.]

[As the low chants of the Iron Priests reverberate through the air, an overwhelming amount of Space Wolf knowledge is poured into your mind.]

[These ancient secrets are not just in written form but also in images, sounds, and emotions.]

[You feel as if you have experienced the founding of the Space Wolves Chapter and the glorious Great Crusade of the Imperium…]

[You seem to witness the young Leman Russ and the Emperor, whose face is constantly shrouded in a radiant light…]

[You feel the weight of the betrayal by Horus and the heroic sacrifice of the Space Wolves brothers who fought and died for the Emperor…]

[More and more ancient knowledge flows into your mind, as if your brain were a sponge absorbing it.]

[You are continually digesting this knowledge, understanding the history of the Space Wolves and the fate of their lost 13th Company…]

[You seem to see the horrific alien forces surrounding the Imperium of Man, and the tremendous costs the Imperium must pay to barely hold its ground…]

[With your eyes closed, as the knowledge crown continues to fill your mind, you hear the measured steps of Wolf Priest Ulrik, who approaches with a soft incense.]

[He is here to personally equip you with your power armor.]

[As the Iron Priests chant their sacred prayers, a far superior and more powerful set of power armor begins to slowly cover your form.]

[The armor, more intricate than the usual power armor, fits perfectly as plaststeel interfaces bind together.]

[Finally, the black ceramite power armor, adorned with golden wolf heads, is fully donned upon you.]

[You slowly awaken from the knowledge infusion, your senses returning.]

[Your hand instinctively clenches into a fist within the power armor.]

[An overwhelming strength, far beyond anything you've ever known, surges through you, perfectly in tune with your movements.]

["Be careful, little cub... You'll need more training to fully control the power armor," Ulrik warns as he stops your reckless actions.]

[You cautiously step down from the altar where your armor was bestowed.]

[Gradually, you begin to understand the capabilities of the power armor, and you follow Ulrik as he leads you out of the armory of the Space Wolves.]

[You pass several sacred shrines to fallen heroes of the chapter, heading upward towards Wolf's Teeth Fortress.]

[Ulrik guides you past the tomb of Haarek Ironhelm, a great chapter master who fell in the Battle of the Fangs.]

[Without thinking, you salute the statue of the fallen warrior.]

[Ulrik gives you an approving glance as you move onward.]

[Eventually, you reach the Wolf's Lair, where the ceremonial hall is lit brightly.]

[At the center of the hall stands an ancient Dreadnought, the immovable "Clawless" Bjorn, the most senior of the Wolf Lords and the final guard of Russ.]

[You gaze at the massive power claw of Bjorn's Dreadnought, taking in its immense presence.]

[Slowly, you walk forward with Ulrik by your side, filled with respect for the ancient warrior.]

[Just as you are about to kneel before Bjorn, a booming voice calls out from within the Dreadnought.]

["Stand up! No kneeling!" the voice commands, echoing throughout the hall.]

[Your gaze instinctively shifts to Ulrik.]

["He doesn't like people kneeling," Ulrik whispers in your ear, a mischievous grin forming on his face.]

["I'm not deaf, you little cub!" Bjorn's voice echoes back, causing the hall to tremble.]

[With a loud metallic noise, Bjorn's enormous claw gently rests on your shoulder.]

["Young cub... I am Bjorn, an old fool who hasn't died yet," the voice from within the Dreadnought says warmly.]

[You stand tall, listening carefully as Bjorn continues.]

["You are strong! Very strong... The Space Wolves need more like you! By the way... Did the Wolf King say anything to you when you met him?"]

[You share the story of your encounter with the Wolf King, leaving nothing out.]

[The enormous claw trembles slightly, and Bjorn chuckles with joy.]

["Ha! The Wolf King still remembers this old fool!" he laughs heartily, causing your armor to shake slightly.]

[You notice a few new scratches appearing on your fine power armor.]

[Though you feel some regret, Bjorn laughs it off.]

["Ha! Sorry, cub!" he says with a booming laugh.]

[At that moment, the Dreadnought's huge claw gently withdraws from your shoulder, and Bjorn calls out.]

["Loken! Get out here, you young cub!" he calls out.]

[Moments later, a tall figure clad in Terminator armor enters the room. It is none other than the Chapter Master of the Space Wolves, Logan Grimnar.]

[You stand respectfully, immediately recognizing the high-ranking figure, bowing your head.]

[Suddenly, you hear a heavy whoosh of air, and you instinctively raise your hand, catching a massive, double-headed power axe.]

[The axe is adorned with runes and has a glowing ice-blue gemstone embedded in the center, constantly drawing in the surrounding heat.]

["This is a replica of my weapon, Mjolnir's Axe. It is a rare, masterwork weapon... and now, it belongs to you," Logan says kindly.]

["Ha! If you want my real Mjolnir's Axe, that's possible too!" Bjorn laughs, a mischievous tone in his voice.]

[Logan steps forward, explaining the twelve great companies of the Space Wolves, each with its own unique traits.]

[One company, Ragnar Blackmane's, is especially eager for you to join. They believe your love of hacking into greenskin orcs would fit well with their style.]

[Logan's own Great Company is also eager for you to join, offering you a fast track to becoming a Grey Hunter, bypassing the usual Blood Claw stage.]

[If you prefer heavy weapons, the Red Moon Company welcomes you.]

[If speed and agility are your style, the Sea Wolves Company offers a place for you.]

[The Sons of Mjolnir, if stealth is what you desire.]

[Bjorn's own Stormwolves, if you enjoy straight-up battle and confrontation.]

[If you wish to start from nothing and rise through the ranks, the Firehowl and Iron Wolves Companies are rebuilding and need strong new leaders.]

[Many more companies, including the Dragon Slayers, the Bloodthirsters, the Death Wolves, and the Crimson Throats, are all waiting for you to choose.]

[You ponder deeply as you grip the mighty power axe.]

[After careful thought, you apologize to everyone and express that you need more training and battlefield experience.]

[You turn down Logan's offer to fast-track you into the Great Company and Bjorn's expectations to join the Stormwolves.]

[You decide to begin as a Blood Claw, working your way up before choosing a company.]

[Logan nods in approval, and even Bjorn, who was slightly disappointed, gives you praise for your wisdom.]

[In a moment of clarity, you remember Lucas, demoted to a Blood Claw.]

[You suggest joining Lucas's Blood Claw squad, and immediately, the atmosphere changes.]

[The room erupts in laughter, with Bjorn's booming laugh shaking the entire hall.]

[Logan walks up to you, patting your armor with a proud smile.]

[You stand confused, caught between the laughter of Ulrik and Bjorn's Dreadnought.]

["We must respect this young brother's decision," Logan says, trying to suppress his own laughter.]

[You realize with a slight sinking feeling that you have unknowingly chosen one of the most "troublesome" paths ahead…]

[Ultimately, Logan, after a brief chuckle, offers you a temporary promotion.]

[You are now the leader of a Blood Claw squad, with Lucas's infamous reputation now attached to you.]

[You realize, with a sigh, that "Big Liar Lucas" will always be a part of your journey. May he forever deceive you... or so you hope.]

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