The Empire of The Multiverse

Chapter 63 - Ahriman's Observations

Amidst the relentless conflict in the fortress city, Ahzek Ahriman continued his meticulous observations. The Eldranthii's tenacious assault had been held at bay, but they managed to seize a foothold in the heavily fortified complex, a development that Ahriman had foreseen. He watched with a calculating eye as they poured unit after unit through a portal, a testament to their determination to gain ground through sheer force.

"It seems that brute force is not beyond them," Ahriman mused, addressing the Eldranthii's ability to press on despite the fierce resistance. For a race that typically favored finesse, grace, magic, and lethality, their willingness to resort to raw power spoke volumes about the exigencies of this conflict.

As he continued to gather data, Ahriman delved deeper into his understanding of the Korrks, a race bred and meant for war. His keen intellect discerned a peculiar facet of their biology. Wherever Korrks fell and fought, they released spores onto the ground. These spores were unique in their adaptability, for they could feed on virtually any form of matter—blood, air, water, or even corpses. They had the capacity to thrive in the harshest of environments, with the exception of the most uninhabitable planets close to stars.

Over the span of the few days since the war's commencement, Ahriman witnessed the remarkable transformation of these spores. They sprouted into various forms of Korrkoid species, each with its role in the Korrk ecosystem. There were the diminutive Kretchen, the slightly larger Krotlings, the hulking Squigs, and the mighty Korrks. This ecosystem, designed for perpetual warfare, provided an unending tide of Greenskins to assail the battlefield.

Ahriman's keen insights led to a crucial revelation: "Gauss Flayers are exceptionally effective against the Korrks, and the use of flame weapons can hinder the spread of their spores. It is clear that the Men of Iron have proven adept at countering them, making them our chosen opponents in future confrontations."

Turning his focus to the Eldranthii, Ahriman's observations became more granular. Physically, they resembled tall, elegant humanoids, distinguished by their pointed ears and fine features. Their extraordinary speed and agility made them formidable combatants, and their magical prowess, reminiscent of their creators, the Aetherians, further heightened their abilities.

Ahriman documented the various types of Aspect Warriors among the Eldranthii, each with its unique role on the battlefield. The Dire Avengers, clad in blue, served as versatile warriors for general warfare. The white and red-haired Howling Banshees, an all-female unit, had proven their mettle by taking down many of Ahriman's battle brothers.

Striking Scorpions, predominantly green-clad, specialized in covert assassinations. Their combat prowess had already claimed the lives of several of Ahriman's brethren, marking them as a significant threat. The Dark Reapers, renowned for their long-range abilities, were yet to take down an Astarte due to the formidable nature of the Astartes' combat skins.

Lastly, Ahriman turned his attention to the Fire Dragons, the Aspect Warriors skilled in anti-tank and anti-armor combat. He acknowledged, "Space Marines have the capacity to overcome the Eldranthii, but our tactics must improve in dealing with this new adversary."

With a nod of determination, Ahzek Ahriman continued to record his findings. He expanded his analysis to encompass the Eldranthii's various vehicles and aircraft, recognizing that adaptation and refinement of their strategies would be key to securing victory in the War in Heaven.

63.2 Ahzek Ahriman

Nine days had passed since the Alpha Theatre of War found itself under relentless siege by the combined forces of the Eldranthii and the Korrks, a relentless flood pouring forth from the very heart of the Universe. General Hiroshi, of the Cosmic Militarum, delivered a report to the enigmatic Ahriman, his voice weighted with concern. "Your Excellency Ahriman, more Korrk and Eldranthii fleets continue to appear, and our defensive formations are showing signs of strain. If this onslaught persists, it's only a matter of time before our defenses systematically crumble."

Ahriman regarded the General with a steely determination in his eyes. "Commence the evacuation, General," he ordered, his voice resonating with unwavering resolve. "If the Alpha Theatre of War is destined to fall, let it fall on our terms. Initiate the evacuation. I have one more vital piece of data to gather."

With a salute, General Hiroshi swiftly carried out the orders. Across the cosmic expanse, Imperial forces began a careful, coordinated retreat. Ring Worlds, magnificent constructs of ancient design, collided with the fleets of their foes, causing chaos and casualties before self-destructing in brilliant displays of destruction. On planetary surfaces, Men of Iron tirelessly fought the Korrks, their movements synchronized and purposeful. Unused metal parts were recycled, while the rest of the Men of Iron held the line with unyielding determination.

Meanwhile, Ahriman found himself within the Eldranthii foothold in the heart of the fortress city. The air crackled with energy as projectiles whizzed by, Guardsmen falling only to be resurrected, ready to fight again. Eldranthii, their azure bodies ablaze with magic, met their demise, turning to blue ash as Ahriman's formidable sorcery took hold. Aspect Warriors aimed their weapons at him, but their bullets defied the laws of nature, returning to their senders and sealing their fate.

Cyrus, one of Ahriman's battle brothers, approached him, saluting respectfully. "Cyrus, it's good to see you are faring well on your assignment," Ahriman acknowledged. "How do these Eldranthii fight?"

Cyrus considered his words carefully. "Their Autarch is skilled, but it's evident that the Eldranthii are novices in most forms of combat. However, they will improve as the war progresses."

Ahriman nodded sagely. The reality of war was that adversaries learned and adapted, but so did the Imperium. Ahriman's eyes blazed with an ancient knowledge, the weight of centuries of battles and wisdom resting upon his shoulders.

"Let us begin the final battle," Ahriman declared, his voice resonating with power. He unleashed a torrent of spells, the very steel of the fortress city responding to his will. Lightning danced, fire consumed, and Eldranthii Aspect Warriors and Guardians turned to ash under his relentless gaze.

Amidst the chaos and the unforgiving onslaught of Ahriman's sorcery, the Eldranthii Autarch, Elaris, found herself compelled to confront the enigmatic Thousand Sons sorcerer. However, the confrontation swiftly devolved into a one-sided struggle. Spells and mystical fire crackled in the air as the two adversaries locked eyes.

Ahriman remained an unwavering pillar of resolve, his mastery over the arcane arts proving nigh unbeatable. Elaris, on the other hand, was forced to dance, to move, to dodge—her every step a testament to her desperation. The clash of their powers, a cataclysmic exchange of forces, raged on. Elaris' spells were countered one after another by Ahriman's unparalleled finesse. He was the immovable object against her irresistible force.

With an explosive burst of power, Ahriman hurled a searing firebolt towards Elaris, which struck her power armor with devastating force. Her chestplate melted, a searing wound seared into her flesh, yet she clung to life. Ahriman, however, was unimpressed. "I expected more from a General of my enemy," he mused as he prepared a spell that would obliterate the Autarch. But before he could deliver the finishing blow, his attention was diverted.

A squad of Striking Scorpion Aspect Warriors had emerged, led by their Exarch, Amseith Bloodthorn. Ahriman, his powers never faltering, cast a quick spell that sent the attacking Aspect Warriors hurtling to the side, their attempts to assault him thwarted, all but their fearless leader.

Ahriman acknowledged the Exarch, his spellcasting uninterrupted. "Care to introduce yourself, Aspect Warrior Exarch?" he inquired, his curiosity piqued. Ahriman had delved into the minds of countless Eldranthii Aspect Warriors, seeking knowledge and combat data. The Exarchs were a subject of particular interest, and now, Ahriman sought to acquire valuable information through combat.

The Striking Scorpion Exarch identified himself without hesitation. "Amseith Bloodthorn," he declared with unwavering determination. In the blink of an eye, the Exarch closed the distance between them, his speed bordering on teleportation.

Ahriman's staff, an instrument of both wisdom and destruction, met the Exarch's advance. Time itself seemed to slow around the sorcerer, and space stretched and warped under his control. The Exarch's swift movements appeared to outsiders as though he ran in place while attempting to close the gap.

Amseith Bloodthorn, undeterred, called upon his own mastery of magic to counter Ahriman's spatial manipulations. It was a clash of arcane prowess that defied the boundaries of reality.

In rapid succession, Ahriman unleashed a flurry of spells. One of them sliced through space, striking the Exarch horizontally, leaving a painful gash on the warrior's armor and drawing blood. Yet, the Exarch pressed on, closing the distance once more, undeterred by his wound.

But Ahriman was not to be outdone. The sorcerer's staff became a conduit for his will, and a bolter hidden within it fired, striking the Exarch's knee. The leg was torn asunder in an explosion of blood, rendering the warrior immobile.

"That's all you can muster?" Ahriman asked with a hint of disappointment as he ended the Exarch's life, the fallen warrior's body collapsing to the ground and turning to blue ash.

Ahriman's gaze shifted to where the Eldranthii Autarch once stood. She had vanished, her retreat swift and calculated. "It doesn't matter. Retreat!" Ahriman commanded, knowing that he had acquired the invaluable combat data he sought. With the data in hand, he now prepared to submit his report to his Primarch, a harbinger of wisdom and power amidst the unending War in Heaven.

With the culmination of his data-gathering mission, Ahriman and his Corvidae brethren initiated a tactical retreat. They reclaimed the fallen bodies of their battle brothers, ensuring that their geneseed remained within their grasp. The Combat Skin, too precious to fall into enemy hands, was carefully retrieved, preserving the technology that had become synonymous with the Astartes.

As they withdrew, Ahriman gazed upon the remnants of the once-formidable defensive structures that had been a bastion of Imperial might. These massive edifices, erected to withstand the relentless onslaught, now imploded like supernovae, casting an ominous glow across the void. Ahriman stood on the bridge of the Corvidae Mothership, surveying the desolation.

"Set sail," he commanded, his voice tinged with authority. "Return to Prospero, and let the fiery retribution of Exterminatus rain upon these planets. We shall not yield Imperial territory lightly. We have the power to forge planets anew."

The Captain of the mothership nodded in acquiescence, swiftly issuing orders to the crew. In a macrocosmic scale, the once-mighty defensive lines of the Alpha Theatre of War had been forsaken and abandoned. Explosions erupted across the void as the defensive structures were detonated, creating havoc and devastation among the Korrk and Eldranthii forces. The brutal resolve of the Imperium Dominus, an unyielding spirit that would incinerate entire worlds rather than surrender them, had been unveiled.

It was a chilling realization for the Eldranthii, and perhaps even more so for the Korrks, who remained largely unfazed by the prospect of entire worlds set ablaze. With the fall of the Alpha Theatre of War, the cosmos lay vulnerable to the impending invasion of the Korrks and the Eldranthii. It was no longer a matter of the Imperium alone; all civilizations, Imperial or otherwise, faced the unrelenting tempest of this Universal War.

"In the clash of titans," Ahriman mused, his words resonating with a dramatic gravity, "the world trembles, and even the innocent earth beneath them bears the scars."