The sky was black with regular bursts of orange from the explosions overhead; the sound was thunderous, followed by the empty cries of death. Two gun ships circled above battling from the sky, each with large oversized laser cannon's blasting away. With each shot they fired they smashed through the half standing buildings, tearing the fleeing people apart. Tanks crashed their way through the rubble, gunning down anything that moved, leaving no trail of mercy in their wake. Soldiers, attired in dark blue ceramite armour with patterns of lightening pasted to their legs and wearing bat wings atop of their helmets, stormed the streets. They laughed aloud, whilst killing the women and children within their grasp, who were fleeing for safety.

Syakotus stood at the cliffs edge, looking through his binoculars across the long narrow rusty grey bridge; he saw the last of the Imperial citizens fleeing from the onslaught. Many of them ran covered in flames, screaming out in agonising pain. Their screams echoed throughout, whilst the laughing of the tormenting Night Lords dampened out their mere cry's for a merciful death.

From were he stood, he saw that all whom ran had more than a terrified look of fear. He could smell the charred flesh that drifted over with the grisly winds, flapping the front strands of his neatly tied hair. Overhead the roar of the attacking gunship engines was deafening, the explosions were like watching a cabaret of fireworks.

"Lieutenant can your men hold position?" he asked, lowering his binoculars.

"Yes. But I'm not sure they can suppress the traitors for long."

Commissar Fenerson, a short stumpy man who stood akin to Syakotus covered in his long black trench coat down to his feet, turned to the Cadian Lieutenant, looking him square on with a slight smile to his pale and old face.

"They will not have to. Just long enough to get some of those civilians across the bridge."

"Forgive me for asking." The lieutenant paused, shaking with his nerves. Reels of sweat rolled from the back of his neck, even though he had to ask the question, but knowing he wouldn't want to hear the answer. "How long is long enough?"

Commissar Fenerson looked down at the nervous Lieutenant and smiled. "When they're all dead, of course, Lieutenant Tyde."

The lieutenant broke into a cold sweat from those words, feeling for the loss of his men. Syakotus put his crimson right hand on Tyde's shoulder. "If it eases your conscience, their deaths shall not be forgotten."

Tyde looked up into the eyes of Captain Syakotus then back at the raging battle across the bridge, and finally down to his men defending the fleeing civilians. "It does not."

Behind Syakotus stood Chaplain Quornas, attired in his black ceramite armour with stains of dried blood and soot across his chest plate, holding his Crozius tightly, watching the attacking gun ships launch their missiles into the escaping civilians.

He closed his eyes to say a prayer to the Emperor for their deaths.

"Can we suppress them long enough?" he asked, looking at Syakotus, who merely gave him a blank expressionless stare. The silence of his Captain answered all of his questions.

Grailin, the Company's Chief Librarian, watched from behind both men as a flurry of rockets exploded, flinging its targets upwards with the explosion.

"May the Emperor have mercy upon their poor souls," he said, softly.

Both Syakotus and Quornas turned to face him. A half smile crossed Syakotus' face. "I'm sure the Emperor will have mercy for all his people."

Grailin stood firm. His armour was coloured in a light blue, yet his hands were coloured crimson like that of the Chapter. Looming over his head was his psychic hood, with wires running into the back of his shaven bald head.

Without warning, a stray rocket flew into the cliff side from below Syakotus' feet, shaking the ground with a blast of bright yellow sparks from the rock face. Quornas stepped back, grabbing his Captain's hand to stop him from falling to the thrashing waves banging against the rocks below, then pulled him back.

"They're getting closer," Quornas said, levelling his footing.

Syakotus looked back to the far entrance of the bridge, watching the Cadians fight for their lives endlessly, yet the fight was not in their favour. The Knight Lords and cultists out numbered them greatly.

"They will not hold out much longer," Syakotus said, lowering his binoculars in gesture to Fenerson to look for himself.

The Commissar took the binoculars from Syakotus' hand to see the massacre for himself.

"It will have to be you and your Marines that storm across the bridge and take the fight within the city. Our only option is to destroy Volcane. You must try, at least until the reinforcements arrive," he said, removing his cap to stroke his neat grey kemp hair, "while I will remain here and ensure the safety of the civilians," he finished. Syakotus looked down at the Commissar with a disgruntled look pressed upon his face.

"You are Space Marines. If I am correct it is your duty to die protecting the people of the Imperium," Fenerson said, using each of his words cautiously.

"It concerns me that you are willing to waste the lives of my Marines so easily for your personal safety," Syakotus said, grimacing at the Commissar.

"Why should it bother you? We will all die at some point and if fate picks you and your marines today then so be it. We are all here to die for our Emperor are we not?" retorted Fenerson.

Syakotus fed a wired chamber connected to his pack into his storm bolter, strapping it to his wrist and cocking the chamber back with a cling. "It bothers me that you are so willing to give our lives to the Emperor's name above your own, Commissar," Syakotus said, as he walked off down the hill to the bridge.

Tyde looked at the Commissar as the Captain walked off.

Quornas tapped Grailin on the shoulder and both men followed their Captain down the grassy hill towards the bridge.

"What if they fail?" he asked.

The Commissar smiled. "Then it will be your turn to give your life in the name of our god Emperor."

Smoke rolled across the bridge like a thick layer of fog. At the foot, the explosions were exceptionally loud with more of a ringing echo. The ground raged like an earthquake from the impact of cannon fire.

"Captain," Sergeant Xaros called, stepping from the smoke to greet Syakotus.

Xaros' helmet had a deep crack embedded into the visor, his dark ceramite armour was stained with thick black charcoal.

Watching Librarian Grailin and Chaplain Quornas follow his Captain, he nodded at them in acknowledgement while clenching his bolter tightly to his chest. Retaining his stance he stood still before his Captain, as did the rest of the ten man squad Xaros.

"Get your men into the Rhino, Xaros, we're going to cross the bridge into Volcane."

Syakotus unsheathed his Power Sword from the scabbard on his back. Tactical squad Korde, followed by assault squad Gevedin, approached his side waiting for orders.

"You ride with Korde. Gevedin, mount up your men follow our rears," he ordered.

Another explosion rocked the ground, this time with a heavier impact at the far entrance to the bridge. The Crimson Fists watched as the defending Cadians were flung high into the air.

"Tyde's Men," Syakotus muttered. Raising his sword high above his head, he flicked the switch; across the handle and the sword there was a low hum, before the blade began turning slightly red.

Behind him on the battered road the Rhinos started roaring as the drivers revved up the engines.

"Quornas, remain here. Make sure the Commissar doesn't betray us."

"Do you think he will?"

"He is a coward, and all cowards have the taint of betrayal."

"Good luck Captain Syakotus." Quornas finished stepping back from the Rhinos.

"Grailin I need you to return to the Forge hand and get us some reinforcements."

Grailin bowed his head in acknowledgement. "As far as I know the Salamanders are the closest to our position," he explained, stepping back.

"It matters not whom is closest. As long as they can fire a gun they will do."

"Understood," Grailin replied.

"Crimson Fists, saddle up!" Syakotus bellowed, stepping up inside the bulky armour plated lead Rhino.

Mounted atop was Grissom, his crimson fingers clutching the mounted storm bolter.

Korde stepped in behind Syakotus, watching as the defending Cadians at the far entrance began to lose more ground as they were cut down by more bursts of gun fire.

"C'mon, get your arses in. Now!" he bellowed at his squad, giving them a stern glare as they stepped in one by one.

The lead Rhino spat out a burst of black fumes the moment it revved up with a release of heavy smoke from its aft engines, then stormed across the entrance onto the bridge. The eleven man crew felt the wrenching of their stomachs while they jerked backwards in their seats, gripping their bolters tightly.

Grissom clenched his fingers around the trigger of his mounted storm bolter, with his eyes trained on any sign of their oncoming adversaries, as the Rhino sped up across the smoke filled bridge. Behind him another three of the company's Rhinos followed in hot pursuit.

Suddenly, without any warning, gun fire came at them from the approaching entrance. `Bolter fire danced off the front of the Rhino in wisps of dancing sparks the moment it hit the armour, creating a scent of burning metal filling up the air.

Grissom squeezed his finger on the storm bolter, trying to hit anything he could see. The bolt shells thumped out from both barrels, streaking across the bridge.

The Rhinos closed in on the far entrance, to be greeted by several Chaos space marines: Night lords.

The lead Rhino swerved, smashing its way through the dead Imperial Guards' barricades, skidding off the bridge into two of the Night Lords, instantly crushing them under its huge tracks. The clanging of the Rhino screeched, with flying sparks, grinding to a sudden halt, rocking its crew from the sudden stop.

Syakotus stood from his seat, clenching his power sword. "Lower the ramp, we're going out."

Korde stood behind, grabbing his bolter plasma combi-weapon from the gun rack. Bullet shells echoed through the Rhino as they slammed against the outer hull with a clatter, rocking it side to side, forcing the marines to stumble.

Korde clenched his Thunder Hammer tightly as he swiped it from were he sat.

Grissom kept his finger on the trigger, killing another before receiving a killing shot to his head followed by his upper torso, his body slumping forwards. The back ramp of the Rhino opened up with eleven Crimson Fists charging out, led by Syakotus.

Gun fire came from within the smoke filled burning city of Volcane, killing the first two Crimson Fists instantly.

"Get to cover," bellowed Syakotus, dodging bolter fire, ducking down behind the half destroyed tower that stood before them.

The Crimson Fists dashed to the smashed tower and its half broken wall for cover. Korde crept up besides Syakotus.

"Your orders, Captain?" he asked.

Without warning, the streaking sound of a rocket swept past their heads. The blast exploded besides them with a deafening sound, the explosion tossed the bricks of the tower in the air and across the battered street, along with Syakotus and Korde. The shock from the explosion slammed them hard against the cracked pavement.

Covered in dust and bruised from the impact, Syakotus pulled himself up. Levelling off, he raised his power sword high in the air.

"Charge!"

The thirty Crimson Fists leapt forward in a frenzied charge, led by Syakotus.

Korde, clenching his Thunder Hammer tightly whilst swinging it gently, vibrating with its power field, into two approaching Cultists, killing them both instantly from the sheer strength of his swing.

The Veteran Sergeant jumped up and down, swinging his Thunder Hammer from side to side, knocking adversary after adversary down in pools of blood. None could match his prowess for the sheer speed of his actions, swinging one second then parrying the next, yet without breaking a sweat.

Frieh, Judson, Moref and Phanus went down on one knee with bolters poised forwards, pulsing their fingers across the triggers then letting round after round pump from the barrels of their guns into cultist after cultist.

Behind them, stood in steadfast positions with bolters poised forwards were Linnix, Horton, Niven and Damson, also pumping round after round, into the oncoming mob.

The whole of squad Gevedin fought as one, slashing their chain swords into the flesh of the weak armoured Cultists. The blood from their victims spilled out across the broken roads and onto their armour, staining the dark blue ceramite with lashes of it.

Xaros and his squad kept close to Syakotus, firing round after round at the remaining Cultists who dared get close enough to them.

Leaping over a pile of bricks and gravel, Syakotus jumped into several Chaos Cultists, swinging his power sword about violently, cutting them open. The blood from his fallen victims sprayed across his bare face and the chest plate of his armour.

One cultist crept up behind him with a las pistol aimed at the back of his head, but was not quick enough with the trigger. At the sound of crunching feet over the broken gravel, he turned to see the face of Kordes Thunder Hammer smashed his skull open.

Syakotus spun around quickly to retaliate, yet he stood down as quickly, seeing Korde stood over the corpse, holding his Thunder Hammer in one hand and his bolter-plasma combi in the other.

"Good work, Sergeant. You may have saved my life."

Syakotus stepped atop of the broken bricks to survey the area for himself. He admired the sight of his three squads, standing over their dead victims. The city was all smashed apart from the incursion of Night Lords, and those heretics who followed the banner of Chaos.

Syakotus looked on at the city as it lay in ruins of rubble. He sniffed up the stench of death, the stench of Chaos. Every direction he looked there were smashed buildings, many of which remained covered in flames, burning high. The destruction from the large thunderous lascannons had levelled most of the streets, leaving a very few buildings still standing and only a few no higher than three stories in height. Syakotus climbed up higher on the broken rubble. Jumping on to a half standing wall, laced with blast holes, he noticed the city's cathedral still standing and almost un-scathed from the massacre. Jumping down from the wall, he looked down at Korde.

"Is it me, or was that just a little too easy old friend?" he mused.

"Maybe the Night Lords retreated at the sight of us, Captain," said Phanus, with a slight chuckle, holding his flamer from squad Korde and stepping between his Sergeant and Captain.

"I doubt that Phanus, that is merely wishful thinking." Syakotus returned, turning to face Korde again. "Take your squad to the cathedral. Try to hold the position if you can, it would serve us well as a command centre. I suspect that they are doing the same, plus we may need somewhere to fall back to."

"Aye, Captain." replied the veteran Sergeant, as his squad followed him off into the smoke filled city.

"Gevedin, take your assault squad and fall back to the bridge. The traitorous scum must not be allowed to leave Volcane, no matter the cost."

Xaros gazed upon the Night Lords' Thunderhawks "What of them, Captain?"

"It will have to be that excuse for a human, Commissar Fenersons', problem. I have no doubt that he will not hesitate to use his basilisk artillery to gun them down from these smoke filled skies."

Fenerson watched from the cliffs edge through his binoculars. The Crimson Fists spread out from the bridge's entrance.

"You should watch them, Tyde, you may learn a thing or two from their tactics," he said, taunting the Lieutenant.

Tyde said nothing to retaliate, he just clenched his las pistol tightly in his hand, reminding himself that the Commissar was his ally and not his enemy.

"Tyde, order your Leman Russ cannons to shoot those Thunderhawks down," the Commissar said, pointing at the fact they were heading towards them.

"Sergeant Masson, open fire at our oncoming adversaries," he voxed to the tank Sergeant.

Suddenly the sound of cannon fire rocked the ground in heavy quakes as the Leman Russ tanks opened fire at the Night Lords' oncoming Thunderhawks.

Dark smoke consumed the sky with a burst of yellow, followed by the sound of a thunderous crackle as one of the Thunderhawks combusted across the sky.

Both the Commissar and Tyde watched in horror as Raptors emerged from the black smoke of the fallen Thunderhawk.

"Destroy the other before it reaches us, Sergeant," Tyde voxed quickly.

Watching the cannons of the Leman Russ's destroy the second Thunderhawk, then watching more Raptors disembark the burning craft, he felt his stomach clench with anxiety at the mere thought of those abominable creatures. Yet to his relief they seemed to turn about, back to the city of Volcane.

Syakotus turned his head back to the bridge at the sight of the destruction of the two Night Lords' Thunderhawks. He raised his sword in cheer with his brothers to be cut of by what can only be described as a high pitched screeching from above.

Necus bellowed "Raptors!" as a plasma blast from above took his life.

Syakotus held his arm upwards towards them. Clenching his fist tight, pushing on the trigger in his palm, he let out a burst of auto fire from the storm bolter strapped to his wrist.

Sergeants Xaros, Cuoson and Drakes held their bolters upwards as the Raptors pounced on them from above with barely any warning. Cuoson tried to hit his oncoming attacker but lacked the speed of his adversary as it landed forward of him, slamming the butt of it's chain axe at his face and thus was knocked to the floor from were he stood.

"Cuoson are you ok?" bellowed Drakes. He was trying to get to him for aid but was cut from his legs with his upper torso flung violently forwards across the road side in the attempt. One of the attacking Raptors had swooped down low at him, slicing through his legs with its power sword. With a gush of blood spilling out across the floor, the Raptor held his power sword over Drakes mortally wounded body to plunge down into his spine, but was cut open by heavy bolter fire from across the road were Icyus stood. Xaros looked across, training his bolter forwards, and lunged forward of Drakes, but was blocked by another Raptor taking a swing at him with both of its lightening claws. He jumped over the fallen Drakes, swinging his chain sword into the Raptor, cutting into its vile armour and splashing black blood across the front of his helmet. Yet another swooped in behind him, mimicking his actions. Xaros had no choice but to face his newer adversary, hoping he had wounded the other enough for it to stay down long enough to slay the newer.

Yet his luck had run out. Three more Raptors swooped in upon him, cutting into his chest deep enough to slice the ceramite of his armour and slice through his mortal flesh. Xaros dropped to his knees, feeling the pain consume his body, dropping his bolter to the ground. Defying gravity with one hand, holding himself up, the Raptor cut through the back of his neck whilst screeching out loudly in a chuckle at his pain. Moments later, his head slipped away from his upper torso.

Cuoson watched in horror as the blood of Xaros' remains dashed across the Raptors and the ground beneath him.

Drakes rolled over in excruciating pain from the loss of both his legs, clenching his bolter and firing on full auto at the butchering Raptors, also giving Cuoson's time to stagger up.

Two of the Raptors fell in an array of bolter shells splitting into their flesh, whilst the third swooped over to Drakes, slamming its cursed chain sword in to his spine and pinning him down.

Syakotus dashed over to Cuoson.

"Come, brother, they are lost. We need to fall back or we will join them in death," he said, grabbing hold of Cuoson's blood stained shoulder using his strength to yank him back from the blood frenzied Raptors.

Len Ruo gripped his flamer, releasing a heavy burst of flames into the Raptors, killing one in his attack. Without warning, five more dropped behind him; three with lightening claws and two with chain axes. Len Ruo spun again, quick enough with his flamer, hitting the first to stab at him with hot flames. It fell forwards, screeching like a hungry newborn child.

Icyus jumped the other at Len Ruo's side, armed with his heavy bolter.

"Die, incarnations of the abyss," he muttered as his finger squeezed the trigger, killing all the Raptors forward of them. One by one they fell to their deaths, their flesh pulled apart by the onslaught of bolter shells. Black blood consumed the ground about them.

Two more Raptors dropped down from the smoke filled skies, firing plasma blasts at Icyus's feet, only adding to his frenzied rage. Again he let loose another round of heavy gun fire at them, cutting them both open.

The first was ripped apart, screeching for breath as it was blown back against the smashed walls, of the dirt ridden buildings, then the other dropped to its death in screaming agony. Syakotus flung himself into the remaining three, taking them by surprise. Slicing his power sword in mad fury, he decapitated their heads, leaving a mess of blood and guts across the broken street.

Cuoson's stood at his side, reloading another bolter clip, looking in anticipation for more to come.

"I think we won this round, brothers." Syakotus said, addressing the remaining Crimson Fists.

"Captain, there are more." Icyus grumbled, spinning round and clenching his heavy bolter with pride.

Hatal and Radeka went down on one knee with their bolters trained forwards, aiming towards the oncoming Cultists rushing towards them. With the crack of gun fire, the Cultists began shooting their auto guns at Syakotus and the Crimson Fists, the bullets merely bounced off their armour.

"Open fire, shoot those bastards down!" bellowed Syakotus, with the sudden wind echoing his voice.

Hatal and Radeka opened fire on full auto, their bolter shells flung into the Cultists creating a shower of raining blood with the Cultists being ripped to pieces. Within moments they'd all fallen to their deaths.

Syakotus walked forwards, taking a look at the shadows from the distance of the half standing buildings.

Suddenly, with less then a seconds warning, the dark sky was lit up in an array of red and yellow streaks of flames, giving Syakotus chance to see that they were no bolts of fire. Gaping, his eyes wide open, he saw the closer the screeching arrows were rockets before he had the chance to warn the others. The road that they all stood on collapse in on itself, dragging them down with the blast, toppling down below, only to be crush by the nearby unstable buildings crashing down onto them.

Then one last explosion shot upwards with a large burst of ash clouds, dropping back down like snow, covering the immediate area into a large vapour cloud. The explosion also burst some of the nearby gas pipes, forcing a new and even bigger explosion. The remaining Cultists in the area were blown to pieces, or killed by the circularised explosions being carried further with the sudden blast winds. Those Cultists that remained unscathed by the destruction suffocated to their deaths, chocking in agonising pain.

The interior of the cathedral was surrounded in a blanket of darkness and shadows. The ceilings were high ranging, lofty and appeared to touch the heavens, which were held up by magnificent old oak wooden beams going across the walls to arch into the great grey granite pillars. Thrusting out of the stone ground, giving a magnificent strong appearance to the structure, it was a majestic sight to the eye.

In each corner were white marble pillars, two rising up to the lofty ceiling, around them and spiralling upwards were carved ivory into the marble. Sat atop of each pillar were carvings of white angels, all kneeling with splendorous wings arching around them, almost encasing them, as if the angels where mourning. They had their heads dipped down and in each hand, clasped before them, were the hilts of swords, laid out in front of them.

The windows were coloured pieces of glass put together to form angels, the rays of what little light there was shone through them in long beams of yellow down to the marble floors. Dust could be seen dancing through the air, silently, almost motionless.

To break the serenity of this scene, hung in chains around the calves and chest were the human remains - what was left of them. They had been stripped of all their skin. All were unrecognisable, their innards coming out and dripping blood from every inch. A brutal and torturous act from the Night Lords, now left for all to see as mere trophies.

From the far exits stood two Night Lord Chaos Space Marines, motionless and poised ready for any intruder, clenching their bolters. They were unmoving, yet their eyes seemed be looking everywhere.

Forward of them were rows and rows of benches made of black volcanic rock - shiny yet dull, rather plain in appearance yet a spectacle to look on none the less - all leading up to the lectern at the head of the cathedral.

Stood at the stand, reading the preacher's book of ancient knowledge, was Lord Cravex of the Night Lords. Adorned in dark blue ceramite armour with a metallic glow, almost looking black in places from the dark shadows, lightening was pasted down his leg armour with a slight metallic glow. His skin was whiter than white, almost as white and hard looking as the marble angels faces. His eyes were black, like two black beads where a mans eyes would be, yet shinning with a depth that could go on for an eternity. His teeth where long, pointy, razor sharp, looking needles, and badly stained dark red. On occasion his long and pronged fork tongue would lick his lips.

Upon his chest he boasted a bone coloured skull with giant bat wings sprouting from each side, it looked rather too majestic for an individual of his calibre. Hung loosely across his large, arrogant chest were his rusty chains attached to one long diagonal chain across his chest, they vanished in swaggers around his back. He wore them around his waist also, and they hung down over one leg like a curtain. Upon his back he carried a large demonic sword, sheathed and covered by one huge and impressive murky grey, giant rat fur cloak, joined at the front of his chest by the front paws, clenched together with a blood stained ruby red clasp. Upon his shoulder he wore a carved face, screeching out in fear, whilst his other carried the Night Lords' symbol.

Stood by his side was Pertude, attired in all black, an unusual black. Adorned about him he wore a long, black, heavy cloak, thick and not worn, yet old in places. He had, adorning his head, a skull cap of black with two prongs braised at either side. Half way up they branched off and curved inwards.

Lexor entered the cathedral hall, walking with a strong purpose to his stance, stopping abruptly before Cravex, who looked up at him from his book.

"My lord, Space Marines have entered the city."

"Have the raptors disembark from the thunderhawks?" came the calm response. Lexor stepped back slightly.

"My lord, I would, if not for the fact they have all been slaughtered by the Space Marines," he said, lowering his tone. Cravex looked like he was about to shoot the messenger.

"So, the Salamanders have returned."

"No, my lord, another chapter," Lexor answered.

Cravex turned his full attention to him. "How many?"

Again Lexor stepped back. "I cannot answer that," he paused, before resuming. "Am I to hunt them down?"

"No," came the steadfast reply.

"May I ask why?"

Cravex replaced the book he was reading back on the lectern, face open. "Because they will come to us," he responded.

It was this moment that Pertude stepped closer to Cravex, holding his motion, gripping his fingers tightly around his psychic staff. He tilted his head at Cravex's ear to speak. "Perhaps we should take our leave of this city and advance across the bridge to slaughter all opposition before it grows in numbers," he saidm with an almost silent pitch to his tone.

Cravex slowly turned his head to gaze upon Pertude

"What opposition? A mere handful of Imperial Guards? What match will they be to me; I personally took this city from the Salamanders and five hundred of those Imperial Guards," Cravex said, raising his tone to echo through the hall. "We will take our leave of this place when I decide," he finished, his tone still raised.

Pertude moved closer to Cravex motionlessly, as if gliding. "Do you forget that if we are to follow Abaddon's plan then the sooner we leave this place, the sooner we can meet up with the Word Bearers and double in numbers. If we stay here we will become vulnerable."

Cravex turned his full attention to Pertude, who backed off slightly.

"You are over confident. This will be your downfall unless you keep with Abaddon's plan. Remember, you pledged your allegiance to follow Abaddon's banner. Surely you dare not doubt Abaddon the Despoiler," Pertude said, directing the words at Cravex with a daring, raised tone.

Cravex danced his fingers over his holstered plasma pistol, until now hidden under the chains and asked: "Just remind me again, why you are here?"

Pertude stepped back with caution from the angered manner in Cravex's tone, his eyes fixed on Cravex's hand movements.

"Abaddon wishes it," he replied.

"I will not be taunted by your poisoned tongue, nor will I be spied upon by my so-called ally. So I ask you one last time, why you are here?"

Cravex gripped the handle of his holstered plasma pistol. Pertude stepped back further and gripped his psychic staff ever more tightly.

"Because Abaddon requests my presence at your side to merely assist you."

Cravex drew his plasma pistol swiftly from its holster and pointed it directly at Pertude's glaring face. Without warning, Cravex clenched his finger over the trigger, releasing a beam of hot plasma. The beam smashed into Pertude's face, killing him instantly.

"Wrong answer."

Pertude's lifeless body fell back on to the stone and marble floor, his face all melted and charred, with the lingering smell of burnt meat from the smoke now rising.Cravex's glare told Lexor not to ask anymore questions.

"Remove this scum from my sight."

Lexor bowed then gave a hand gesture to the guards that stood by the door that he'd entered through. Both came over and each took a firm hold of one of Pertude's still warm hands and began dragging him out. Cravex re-holstered his smoking plasma pistol.

 

Korde and his squad had finally reached the end of their journey to the gates outside the cathedral. They glanced out over the cemetery, their colours were almost invisible to the backdrop of darkness. Phanus peered past the locked gates and past the gravestones. They were carved from every stone known to man, some new, some covered in moss and ivy, others decaying, cracked or even with bolter blasts smashed into them. Not even a holy place was sacred in death.

Phanus could see the cathedral entrance with two Night Lords on sentry duty, clenching heavy stubbers. Korde stepped over to him, looking for himself, to survey the area. It was heavy with old, gnarled trees, their boughs and leaves rustling and creaking in the almost silent breeze that crept upon them.

The main ground approaching the entrance was covered with a mass of gravestones. The closer they got to the entrance doors, the more unkempt they were; ivy, weather and intervention had caused some to vanish, sink, slump, or fall completely over.

Above the two large wood stained entrance doors was a clock tower, dominant and strong in its height. A Night Lord armed with a plasma gun overlooked the cemetery from inside; he would be an inconvenience when their first goal, the main entrance.

"OK, brothers, we know that once we crack the lock on this gate they will be alerted to our presence. But what they don't realise is that they out number us. Greatly."

"So what's the plan?" Phanus interrupted.

Korde glanced at Phanus with a rather annoyed expression fixed on his face.

"As I was saying, we will hide this fact by branching into five squads of two. We shall use grave markers as our cover." came back Korde, still surveying the Night Lord and some others, barely in sight on the cathedral roof.

Judson slowly advanced towards Korde, cocking his bolter for action. "Sarge, some back up may be an advantage."

Korde glanced into the reds of his helmet's eye viewers, gripping the communicator strapped to his belt. He held it up to his mouth.

"Captain."

No response was returned to him.

"Captain"¦"

Again no response.

Frieh closed in to Korde "Perhaps that explosion was the death of our Captain," he said.

"Maybe," replied Korde.

"Do you still want to take the cathedral?" Frieh added.

"If on the chance Captain Syakotus is dead, then I am in command and I say we follow his last orders. He is, or was, our Captain, therefore it is our duty to obey his orders," Korde explained.

Korde put the comm to his mouth again. "Gevedin."

The com crackled slightly.

"Gevedin here. That you, Korde?" Came Gevedin's response.

"What's your situation?" Korde asked.

"No resistance what so ever."

"Good, we need your help at the cemetery. I'm not sure where Captain Syakotus is or if he's even alive. All contact with him has been lost. My squad and I are at the cathedral's gates but from the look of this place we are greatly out numbered."

"What do you need from me, Korde?"

"Can you mount your men in the Rhinos and give us some assistance in taking this place out?" Korde asked.

"Consider it done, old friend. Start your attack, we should be with you shortly," Gevedin finished.

"Thank you," finished Korde, replacing his comm back on his waist.

"Frieh, open the gates," ordered Korde.

Unhooking his knife from his waist, Frieh jolted it into the lock sealing the tall gothic designed gates. He slowly wedged the blade through the key hole of the lock and twisted it about for around two minutes.

With a clang that rocked the gate, causing an echo across the cemetery, the lock broke, snapping the blade off the knife handle and dropping to the ground. Judson eased his shoulder gently against the tall gates, pushing them open, clenching his fingers around his bolter's handle. Korde slid past him, holding his combi with both hands.

"We're in. Remember, stick to the plan."

Syakotus stood alone, covered in a blanket of darkness. The soft sound of a gently humming wind echoed. Slowly, he walked through the darkness that surrounded him. In one hand he clenched his fingers tightly around the handle of his power sword. The further he walked the louder the humming became. He stopped at the sight of a glowing green light in the far distance. Come, come to me, called out a soft voice.

"Show yourself," he called.

The glowing green light began to change, different shades of green morphing from bright green to an luminous green. Cautiously, Syakotus began to approach the light. The closer he got the more he could see its shape. Come, come to me, Syakotus, come.

"Who are you?" the Captain called.

You know my name.

He took hold of his power sword with both hands while still approaching the green light, which was now in the form of a sphere.

"What are you?" he asked.

You know my name, it called.

Syakotus stopped the moment he reached the sphere, his armour reflected luminous green into the surrounding darkness. Raising both his hands high above his head, still clenching his power sword, he prepared to destroy the sphere, until he realised his power sword was gone.

You will be forgiven.

"Captain, Captain."

Syakotus opened his eyes to the sight of Len Ruo shrugging his ash covered shoulders.

"Praise be to the Emperor, you are alive," Len Ruo said, stepping back.

Syakotus sat up from the sludge of the sewers he'd been laid in.

"What happened?" he asked, regaining his conscious whilst rubbing the ash from his long hair.

"Those rockets hit the gas mains causing a compulsive row of explosions, tearing the ground from our feet," xxplained Len Ruo, helping him up from the sludgy water.

Syakotus stood to his feet, picking his power sword from the sludge.

"And the others?" he asked.

Len Ruo removed his helmet, revealing his bold head before rubbing it.

"Only you, I, Cuoson and Redeka were lucky enough to survive. The others were crushed from the fall by the buildings."

Syakotus engaged the vox unit in his throat "Korde"¦Korde, respond"¦Gevedin. Syakotus to Gevedin"¦"

"No good, Captain, we've tried. We just cannot get a signal down here," Cuoson said, walking to his side.

"We cannot stay here. Our brothers may be in need of our help for sure, as I assume by now they think we are lost to them," Syakotus explained whilst checking his wrist mounted storm bolter for damage. "Cuoson, I want you following up the rear, Redeka take point," he ordered, cocking his storm bolter whilst wiping the ash from his arm.

Redeka cocked his bolter ready for immediate dispersal, as did Cuoson.

Len Ruo readied his flamer, training it forwards of him.

The four of them began their long journey down the grim, and dark sludge covered sewer tunnels, trudging their feet through the ankle high murky water.

Korde and Phanus were the first to enter the cemetery, ducking down behind the nearest gravestone, followed through by Linnix and Frieh, creeping past them to the next gravestone. Korde and Phanus moved off again, further for cover behind another gravestone. Bealon and Horton took up cover from the gravestone behind them. Linnix moved from cover to reach another gravestone, but was brought to a sudden halt, a plasma beam missing him by inches, cutting into the soil forward of his feet.

"We've been seen, brothers!" yelled Korde. Moments later he rose to his feet, letting out a plasma blast from his combi-weapon at the firing Night Lord in the clock tower. The beam smashed into the wall, slightly lower than his firing position.

The two Night Lords on sentry duty by the tall entrance doors went down on one knee, letting out a roar of heavy stubber gun fire followed by the deafening sound echoing across the cathedral grounds. Korde ducked back down, merely dodging the spraying bullets that rippin into the gravestones, knocking chunks of stone off.

"It would seem that we are pinned down, brothers," Korde yelled over the deafening sound of gun fire.

Linnix threw himself over to his closest gravestone for cover, whilst Frieh stood to his feet once the firing had stopped, letting the Night Lords reload. He moved forward, firing his bolter off at their position whilst trying to dodge another plasma beam from the clock tower. The gun fire from the heavy stubbers started up again, giving him time to duck behind another grave.

Korde crawled on his belly across to some nearby bushes, followed by Phanus, giving Niven, and Judson chance to take cover from their position. Again the stubber fire stopped. Korde picked himself up from the bushes, running towards another grave, firing a full burst of bolter shells from his combi. One of the shells strayed out across the cemetery like a laser beam before it thudded into one of the sentry guards' neck. A lucky killing shot, moments before the other had reloaded, letting out another round.

Horton trained his plasma gun up at the clock tower. Pulling his finger back on the trigger, he managed to kill the Night Lord and then watched his plasma gun drop from the tower to the ground. The entrance doors opened only for more Night Lord Space Marines to pour out, all armed with bolters and firing off round after round.

Within seconds the cemetery became a deafening battle ground, filling the air with a layer of gunfire smoke, bringing down the smell of burning metal as the stray bullets thudded into the trees and screeched off into the distance. The Crimson Fists were slowly advancing forwards, ducking down to reload then springing up from behind the gravestone to fire off a round or two.

From the cliffs edge, Commissar Fenerson watched Gevedin's Crimson Fists advance away from the bridge.

"Lieutenant Tyde, have we got all the civilians from Volcane across the bridge?" he asked.

Tyde looked back down to the entrance where the Cadian Kasrkin stood poised, ready, then back at the Imperial gun ships loading the civilians in.

"It would appear so, Commissar."

"Then we should prepare to take our leave of this place while we still draw breath," Fenerson said, stroking his white hair.

Tyde looked up at him. "What about the Crimson Fists?"

Behind him Quornas stepped up, followed by five more Crimson Fists, holding a tight grip on his bolt pistol. "Yes, Commissar, what about the Crimson Fists?" he asked, repeating Tyde's question.

"I'm not prepared to risk the lives of my men in an endless battle that we cannot win," the Commissar said, looking back at the city of Volcane.

"What you mean, Commissar, is your life?" Quornas questioned.

"Your Captain and his men don't stand a chance. They are but mortal men like myself and lieutenant Tyde here."

"You insult me," Quornas yelled, letting the soft wind carry his words in a loud echo.

Turning his gaze upon Lieutenant Tyde, Quornas pointed to the Karskin standing poised by the bridge. "Send them across the bridge to take up a defensive position, Lieutenant," Quornas ordered.

Tyde smiled at the Chaplain. "Of course."

"Damn you, Tyde, belay that order. For if you do not I will be forced to have you shot for disobeying my orders. Is that clear?"

Quornas returned his gaze at Fenerson. "If you attempt to runaway like the coward you are, little man, I will personally take your life." Quornas said, in a firm, steadfast tone, pointing his bolt pistol into Fenersons face.

"You cannot talk to me in this manner," Fenerson retorted.

"Do not make the mistake of thinking I am answerable to your, Commissariat. If you insult me a second time it will be the last time you do. Am I clear?"

Fenerson dared not look into the reds of Quornas's eyes with their fixed gaze from his sculpted skull of a helmet. Instead he turned his panic stricken face at Tyde's. "Do as he asks."

The tunnels were long, dark, and gloomy. Everything was beginning to decay. Syakotus sheathed his power sword, taking in a breath of the vomit stricken sewage air. Redeka signalled, his hand up to stop.

"What is Redeka?" asked Syakotus.

"Someone laid half up from the sewage, Captain. I'm not sure, but it looks like another Marine."

Syakotus trudged across to Redeka.

"Let me take a look," he said, passing Redeka's position.

Syakotus walked over to the injured looking Marine, and knelt beside him. His armour was a light green with the pattern of a lizard's head on his shoulder. The Marine's bare face was badly bruised, cut and covered in dried blood.

"I recognise his armour, he's a Salamander," Syakotus said, gently rocking him.

The Salamander opened his bruised eyes slowly, groaning in pain.

"Brother, you live. Take a moment to regain your thoughts."

Redeka clenching his bolter, carried on forward, checking the seemingly endless tunnel and keeping close to the slime ridden walls in case of intrusion. The Salamander groaned some more, before looking into Syakotus's face. Syakotus helped the injured Marine sit upwards.

"What is your name, brother?" he asked.

The Salamander coughed up blood that had filled up in his mouth. "Vexe," he answered, coughing out more blood.

"Do you remember what happened to you?"

"Yes, I remember now." He coughed up more phlegm and blood. "My brothers and I tried to withdraw after our Chaplain was slain by their Lord Cravex." He paused to cough out more blood. "We were only one squad against many more. The Sarge was slain by Cravex, trying to blow the power plant. The Night Lords took the lives of my brothers. I barely managed to escape the torment of those bastards"¦"

"How?;" interrupted Syakotus.

"Inside the power plant the drains lead down here into the sewers."

"Do you know the way back to the power plant from here?" Syakotus asked.

Vexe tried to stand, but slipped back into the murky sludge. "The way is simple, Crimson Fist, this tunnel is two miles from the plant, it's merely a straight walk. If that is your destination, keep your path with this tunnel it will lead you directly under the compound."

Syakotus rose to his feet. "Redeka take Vexe back to the Guardsmen holding the bridge."

Redeka came to stand by Syakotus, nodding in compliance and then bending down to help Vexe to his feet.

"Len Ruo, you have point," Syakotus ordered.

Vexe draped his arm around Redekas neck. Just before they began heading back to the bridge, he turned to Syakotus.

"Captain, the people who built this city used the volcano beneath it for the main source of power. It's like a vortex at the ground level of the plant in the main hall. If you survive long enough to reach it," he paused whilst he began coughing out more blood. spitting it down his chest, "you will find the charges have already been set. You will just need to detonate them," he finished, holding his hand out to give Cuoson the detonator. "I wish you the God-Emperor's speed, Crimson Fists."

Korde was the closest of his squad nearing the entrance, still bobbing up to fire off a shot from his combi before bobbing back down. In turn, the remaining Night Lords would reload and fire a full burst on auto in the direction of the advancing Crimson Fists. Bullets flew through the air as if slicing through water, leaving a trace from where they came, to where their destination would end, lighting up the place in an array of a deafening white noise.

Phanus took up the rear from Korde, with Frieh taking up his rear, leaving Moref covering Frieh's back.

The moment the remaining Night Lords defending the cathedral doors would reload their bolters, all ten of Kordes squad would rise up from behind the gravestones taking a shot at the reloading Night Lords. Then they would advance slowly to the next gravestone, dropping back down behind it for cover. The entire cathedral was lit up in an array of yellow sparks from the roaring gun fire.

Glancing back at the sound of growling motors, Korde looked to watch the first Rhino tear through the front wall in a waterfall of shattered marble and bricks, riding high on a wave of rubble and plunging into the cemetery with a growling vengeance. Standing up to full height with his Thunder Hammer vibrating in one hand, his combi in the other, he let out a roar of his own "CHARGE!"

The Crimson Fists all rose from cover and began charging their way towards the main entrance, whilst gunning down the Night Lords, who were still shocked from the oncoming Rhinos. Korde jumped over the last of the gravestones, charging into the approaching Night Lord, revving its chain sword. The Night Lord jumped into Korde, knocking him off balance before kicking him in his stomach, knocking him back again. The Night Lord raised his bolt pistol up too shoot Kordes face off, yet the chamber clicked empty.

Looking through the reds of his eyes at Korde, he dropped his bolt pistol to the ground, revving up his chain sword. The blades rattled loudly the moment he swung it down to cut through Kordes chest, yet Korde anticipated the attack, blocking the sword with his Thunder Hammer. Confusing the Night Lord, he spun around, bringing the Thunder Hammer to bear. Pausing slightly to take one last look at his victim, he plunged the hammer into his face, shattering his winged helmet open then splitting his skull.

Phanus kicked the cathedral doors open, charging in with his bolter blazing on full auto, clenching it tightly with both hands. Dropping from the marble pillows above, a Night Lord Champion, Tallis, landed behind the over eager Crimson Fist. Phanus spun round, clicking, his bolter on empty, meeting the over sized power sword clenched within Tallis' hand.

Phanus dropped to his knees in a pool of his own blood; he hadn't even seen the blade slice through his upper torso. Releasing his bolter from his grip, Phanus slumped onto the marble floor in two halves. Korde stood in the doorway, horrified at the death of his brother Crimson Fist.

"You'll pay for that," he said, dropping his combi to the floor and gripping his Thunder Hammer with both hands. He took a swing at Tallisr, who merely jumped back then jumped up onto the benches.

Behind Korde Frieh, Linnix and Horton, stepped up. bolters poised in their hands, trained forwards. At the far side of the hall, Cravex stepped aside from the lectern with a bemused look dressed upon his white face. Seconds later, the stain glass windows at either side of the cathedral's hall smashed simultaneously. Gevedin's assault squad jumped through the shower of coloured glass, armed with bolt pistols and chain swords. The broken glass shattered across the benches, like water spilling onto the marble floor, forcing Tallis to duck down between the benches for cover. The Assault Marines landed with their feet face down on top of the benches' back rests.

Cravex stepped forwards slightly, watching the whole spectacle in amusement.

"Oh, please." he clapped. "Is this the best you have for me?" he said, laughing louder this time.

Two of the Assault Marines jumped down from the benches, then charged at him with their chain swords rattling an echo through out the dimly lit corridor. Cravex unsheathed his mighty daemon sword from the scabbard strapped on his back over his fur cloak, then jumped down from the lectern's stand. The swiftness of his actions was more than a match for the two.

Ducking down at their charge, using the full skill of his actions, he cut into the two Crimson Fists, slicing them in half with a spill of blood, that showered across the chains that hung from his chest and down to his feet. Both Marines dropped to their deaths.

Licking his lips, Cravex smiled once more. "Anymore takers?"

All the Crimson Fists stood looking at their dead brothers in sheer shock. By his swift actions, Korde realised that this was no normal Chaos Space Marine but was, in fact, a Chaos Space Marine Lord.

Tallis rose up from behind the benches, lashing out at Gevedin, swiping his power sword at his feet, trying to knock the Sergeant off balance. Gevedin was flung from his feet and landed hard on his back between the benches. Three of the Assault Marines who were stood at his side all jumped down, swinging their rattling chain swords in to Tallis's armour. Although Tallis knew he was finished, he still managed to plunge his power sword's blade into one of his attackers whilst the other two took his life from him.

Korde knew that if he were to engage the Chaos Lord he would face certain death, yet he chose to charge at Cravex, swinging his Thunder Hammer from side to side. His Thunder Hammer vibrated gently in his hand, its power field eager to get to Craxe's face.

"Aaarrrgh," he bellowed.

Cravex watched the desperate veteran sergeant come at him, raising his hand up, holding his palm out flat. He waited for Korde to reach him then, like a fly, he then swatted him off his balance. Korde landed on his side, rolling over into the benches, knocking himself out cold. Cravex put one foot on Kordes' chest, un-holstering his plasma pistol and pointing it at the two Assault Marines that stood over the corpse of Tallis.

"He was one of my favoured champions," he said, squeezing the trigger back moments before killing them from the plasma bolts.

Gevedin stood to his feet, aiming his plasma pistol at Cravex's face. "It pleases me that we have angered you," he said regaining his breath.

Cravex looked on at him. "Does it?"

Frieh, Linnix, Judson, Horton and Moref were all poised, ready to fire their bolters at Cravex. Frieh looked at Korde, not knowing if their Sergeant was dead or not.

"Fire!" he bellowed.

The four of them let out a roar of bolter fire from their guns, watching the tracer bullets head towards Cravex. Cravex saw the rain of bullets head towards him, raising his arm, still gripping his plasma pistol. A grapple came out of his wrist, shooting up to the pillars, taking him with it.

The bullets missed their target, moments before he was thrust up to the ceiling. He fired his plasma pistol into the roof's side, blasting a hole big enough for him to slip through, whilst managing to use his weight to swing his legs through the hole he'd just made, disappearing into the darkness.

Korde groaned out before pulling himself up off the marble floor. Gevedin stood over him, ready to help him to his feet.

"What now?" he asked?

Korde stood to his feet, feeling bruised, and removed his helmet. Taking in a breath of air, he looked to Gevedin.

"He'll proberly retreat to the power plant, to the bulk of where his traitorous scum will be."

"What are we to do in the mean time Sarge?" Frieh asked, handing Korde his Thunder Hammer.

Korde stroked his white hair whilst taking his Thunder Hammer from Frieh.

"Exactly as the Captain ordered. We will hold the cathedral. At least Gevedin will, while I have assumed command of the mission. I will take my squad to the power plant, unless we make contact with the Captain and he orders us otherwise."

Captain Syakotus and his two Crimson Fists moved quickly through the darkness of the sewers, trudging on through the sludge. Len Ruo who was on point stopped abruptly, signalling the others to follow suit.

"What is it, brother?" Syakotus asked.

Igniting the flamer he grasp tightly in his crimson hands Len Ruo went down on one knee. "Captain, it looks like two Chaos Marines on sentry by that ladder."

Syakotus crept up to his side, followed by Cuoson.

"What now?" asked Len Ruo.

Flexing his fingers over the trigger placed in his crimson palm for his storm bolter Syakotus looked above them at the dank ceiling. "If I'm correct, we're directly under the power plant. It looks like that ladder is our way in."

Cuoson pulled out his auspex, looking at the screen through the darkness that covered them like a blanket. "Lucky us ,it's just the two of them," he said, looking up at Syakotus.

"How are we doing this, Captain?" asked Len Ruo.

"Burn the bastards."

With that Len Ruo jumped up and charged forwards, splashing sludge across his legs, gripping his flamer tightly, and squeezing his finger over the trigger. A gush of flames shot out into the two Night Lords. Taking them by surprise they barely had time to react. Gripping their bolters to attack, the flames engulfed them totally.

Both of the Chaos Marines fell forwards into the murky sludge, screeching in pain whilst the flames burnt through their dark blue armour, lighting them up and burning into their corrupted flesh. Len Ruo stood over both of the dying Marines and let out a second burst of flames, adding to their already agonising pain. Dropping their bolters, the two Marines screeched out loudly, letting the screams of their dying breaths echo straight down the sewers, soon to die out.

Syakotus stepped over the charred bodies of the two Chaos Marines. Gripping onto the ladder's sides, he began climbing the long ladder upwards. Once Syakotus had reached the top he began turning the squeaking circular handle, unscrewing the sewers lid, pushing it upwards. He pulled himself out. He took his power sword from its scabbard, then flicked the handle switch. The sword began a gentle humming before the blade began turning slightly red. Cuoson and Len Ruo followed him out gripping their weapons tightly.

"What now, Captain?" asked Cuoson.

Syakotus took in his surroundings. The corridor in which they had climbed up in was very wide, wide enough for three tanks to travel side by side. The top was arched much like the inside of a holy church, the whole structure was dark and grey with an old gothic look. The floor was made up of marble, with square patterns across the sides, with the shapes of circles all down the centre.

"We find the power source of this place and destroy it."

Both Len Ruo and Cuoson looked each other in the face, then Cuoson cocked his bolter for immediate disperse.

Syakotus engaged the vox unit in his throat. "Korde..."

"Captain...Captain. Good to hear your voice. We thought you were dead," came Kordes' voice.

"You should know me better than that, Sergeant. What's your location?"

"At the moment we're en-route to the power plant...we managed to take control of the cathedral...but we assumed you were dead, so I took command leaving Gevedin at the cathedral...trouble is we are badly out numbered down here...Quornas voxed me. He says the Salamanders have arrived...He's ordered a pick up for Gevedin's squad...may I ask your location?"

"Good news for you, Kordem I'm at the power plant. So get here fast."

Overhead the deafening sound of the Thunderhawks could be heard. Here and there their salamander green colour could be seen by all through the bellowing debris and dust. They began lowering to the ground, shaking all the debris across the air in gushes of a forced wind, blowing the grass below around. Their roaring engines drowned out any other noises.

Several of these large bulky armoured vessels descended from the rising dawn sky, and lowered to the ground. With a mighty last roar, they touched down, shaking the ground once more in one final defiance. A last burst of flames came from their aft engines, before falling silent. They'd come to rest by the cliffs within the same location as Quornas, Commissar Fenerson and Lieutenant Tyde.

Quornas approached the lead Thunderhawks ramp whilst it began lowering for the Salamanders Commander to greet Quornas himself. Fenerson followed Quornas, with Lieutenant Tyde at his side, placing his Lieutenant's cap above his short cropped, fair hair. The Salamanders Commander stepped from the ramp, followed by Grailin.

"I am Commander Volorie of the Salamanders Fourth Company, and we have come as requested," he said, speaking in a deep tone.

Grailin bowed his head before Quornas. "I found them en-route to our location, so it seemed the right thing to do and thus I joined them," he explained, while stepping from the ramp to stand with Quornas.

"Under these circumstances it appears you have done the right thing," Quornas returned.

Quornas looked Commander Volorie up and down. He was a dark skinned man with short blond hair, he wore many purity seals across his eagle spread chest, along with his terminator honours chain. His left shoulder pad was marked with the Salamanders symbol, whilst his right shoulder pad bore the mark of his terminator honours sculpted permanently for all to see. Jis flapping cape was made up of a giant salamander's skin.

"From the air we saw at least five hundred Chaos Marines headed towards the bridge. So if you would, I believe the time has come to evacuate this place."

"My Captain is currently in the city, trying to destroy it," explained Quornas.

"Have you managed to evacuate all the civilians?" Volorie asked, looking at Fenerson.

Fenerson removed his cap to scratch his short white kempt hair. "The last is about to leave now."

Then Commander Volorie looked across the thrashing river into Volcane. "If we're going to do this right, I need all of your guardsmen and your Leman Russ battle tanks at this side of the bridge fending that scum off, if they try to cross, whilst we try to find the Crimson Fists' good Captain."

Lieutenant Tyde saluted Volorie. "Consider it done," he said nervously, thinking how he'd just agreed to his death sentence whilst walking off down the hill to lead his men into almost certain death.

"Chaplain, you and your retinue will, of course, join me in the skies."

A sudden noise from a loud splash, followed by a glint of sunlight across the river, caught Quornas's eye. He stepped to the cliff's edge to see Redeka and Vexe drop into the thrashing water from one of the drains leading from the city-side cliffs.

"There!" Quornas yelled, pointing at the two Marines struggling to swim in the thrashing water.

Switching to the com in his throat, Volorie ordered to one of the Thunderhawks; "Jisener, we have two swimmers. Pick ‘em up,"

The loud growling sound of the engines ignited up, once again lifting the mighty vessel up into the air. Tilting forwards, it began flying down to the river.

Fenerson had been looking through his binoculars across to Volcane, only to see an armada of hundreds and hundreds of approaching Chaos Marines accompanied by cultists, many of whom were mounted up on the Chaos Marines' Rhinos and Land Raiders. They headed in the direction of the bridge. Putting down his binoculars he looked on at the last of the escaping vessels, carrying the civilians. "I believe it is time for me to take my leave," he said, scuttling past the Salamanders' Thunderhawks and down to the last escape vessel.

Grailin watched as the man boarded the escaping vessel. "Coward," he muttered under his teeth.

"Swimmers picked up, Commander, one of whom is Vexe," came Jiseners voice over the com.

"What of the other?" asked Volorie.

"Just getting to that Commander. He's a Crimson Fist, says some of them are at the city's cathedral."

"Does he know where their Captain is?"

"The power plant."

Quornas, accompanied by his retinue of the five Crimson Fists and now Grailin, followed Volorie up the ramp of his Thunderhawk.

"If I know my Captain, he will be there to destroy it," Quornas said with the ramp closing behind him.

Pipes and wires covered the ceilings and half of the giant floor, entwined within each other much like that of a Terran snake. Tears of mostly water ran slowly down the wires like snakes themselves. The whole place was practically covered over by a blanket of darkness, every crack and orifice loomed giant shadows across the dank floor. The walls were covered in greasy cog wheels, all slowly turning and making a grinding noise. The sparks from the pistons flared up every time they would meet, pumping fuel up then down again, spitting out glutinous bits of water.

From the centre of the giant hall three huge pipes ran down deep into the void. Every few metres they had cog wheels grinding in different directions, much like the inside of a clock, all damp and rusty, spitting out bits of hot lava mixed by oil on its journey upwards. The void in which they ran straight down took up most of the ground level floor, with wires spilling downwards, and smaller pipes joining the bigger pipes upwards, onto the walls, their dark shadows looming across the floor hiding the pools of clammy water.

The atmosphere was very humidly warm, steam gushed out from every pipe, turning into sticky goo, running out from the three larger powered pumping pipes. Hanging from the balconies, tied together by the wires, were the dead bodies of the Salamanders that had first tried to destroy the place. They had being tied hanging from their feet, almost naked yet disembowelled, with the remains of the intestines hanging from their stomachs and still dripping blood to the ground. The faces from these mighty warriors had being removed, from the looks of their cuts probably while they had being alive.

Narrow bridges ran across to each wall, on every level. all the way up the tall hall. Some of them had severed heads placed from them on spears welded to the sides of the bridges.

Clenching his sword tightly whilst holding his storm bolter arm out, Syakotus slowly stepped over the entwined wires. carefully followed by Len Ruo, clenching his flamer tightly with the blue flame dancing off the barrel. Cuoson followed up on their rear, holding his bolter upwards, looking for possible targets from the balcony's and the thin narrow bridges.

"How the hell does this place tick?" asked Len Ruo.

"If I knew the answer to that, then I would be a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus," Syakotus said, taking a closer look at the large metallic pipes within the centre of the void.

Syakotus stood on the edge of the void looking down into the mouth of the volcano. A strong smell of sulphur filled his lungs.

"OK Brothers, this is the place."

Cuoson, still holding his bolter upwards, stepped up to Syakotus to peer down himself.

"Guess they didn't notice the explosives the Salamanders packed then," he said, dropping his guard to take the detonator in his crimson hand.

"Probably didn't care. I don't think they plan on staying here much longer," Syakotus said, with a slight smile to his face.

Cravex stood, gripping the balcony of the bridge with both hands, looking down and watching the three Crimson Fists entering the power hall. Stood at his side was Lexor, gripping his chain axe in one hand and his bolt pistol in the other. His face was pale, but not as white as Cravex's. Like Cravex, his eyes were like black beads, his long dreadlocks hung from the back of his head halfway down his spine, and like all the Night Lords his armour was a dark metallic blue with the same patterns of lightning pasted across his legs.

"The attack out of Volcane has begun, my Lord," he said with a gruff tone.

Cravex unholstered his plasma pistol and aimed it down at the three Crimson Fists. Lexor daringly stepped a little closer.

"My Lord, there is other news. Several Space Marine Thunderhawks are crossing the skies over Volcane."

Cravex turned his gaze back at Lexor, who was now stepping back.

"Is this going to be a problem?"

"No my Lord. General Tyslore is leading the troops towards the bridge. I believe the Thunderhawks are trying a last ditch rescue attempt," Lexor said, looking down at the three Crimson Fists himself.

"Then we need not concern ourselves with the Thunderhawks. Tell General Tyslore to cross the bridge and start the invasion of the next city, and that I will meet him there to take command. For now I have some unfinished business to take care of."

"Yes, of course, my Lord," Lexor said, walking off from the bridge whilst Cravex took his aim back at the three Crimson Fists below.

A plasma blast from above blasted its way through Cuoson's back, bursting one of his two hearts before shooting out of his chest. Cuoson dropped to his knees letting his bolter clang across the floor before sliding off down the void. Syakotus spun around, aiming his crimson fist upwards whilst clenching his palm trigger, letting out a full burst of auto fire at the bridge above. Len Ruo rushed to aide Cuoson, helping him remove his dark blue helmet.

A second plasma blast screeched downwards at them, again slicing its way through Cuoson's leg.

"Aaaaarrr!" he bellowed from the impact.

Syakotus ran for cover behind one of the larger pipes, still firing his wrist mounted storm bolter upwards in the direction of Cravex. A third plasma blast smashed through Cuoson's stomach, forcing him to roll onto his back in spasms of pain, his short black hair covered in his clotted blood from being spat out once it had filled in his mouth.

His face was covered in sweat and the blood gushing from his nostrils. Inside his chest he could feel his body slowing down, pumping blood from his three wounds, yet he kept his left fist clenched around the detonator Vexe had given him.

"Len Ruo, get to the stairs, and flame those bastards coming down," Syakotus bellowed trying to make his voice heard over the gun fire that was ricocheting across the hall.

"What about Cuoson? He's wounded badly, Captain."

"You have your orders, I'll see to Cuoson."

Len Ruo rose to his feet, flipping his finger across the trigger and a release cap to ignite his flamer, then charged towards the metallic stairs. Once he'd seen the amount of Chaos preachers and cultists, all armed with shotguns, auto pistols, clubs with spikes embedded in and chain swords, all racing down the steps at them, he understood Syakotus's orders. With a large gush of flames from his beloved flamer the first of the worshippers were engulfed in an array of his hot flames.

Syakotus rushed to Cuoson's side, and knelt by him.

"Captain," Cuoson groaned spitting out large amounts of blood. "I have failed"¦uurrr."

Syakotus lifted his head up. "No, Brother, you have not failed, but I will not lie to you. Your time grows short and we are greatly out numbered."

Cuoson spat out more blood, letting his eyes roll whilst his body became more floppy with the spasms from the agonising pain of his mortal wounds. Syakotus raised his head slightly higher. as if cradling it in both his blood stained crimson hands.

"We can not let this scum be victorious today, and for that reason I regret the next thing I must say, but I have one last order for you, Brother."

Spitting out more blood as it filled in his mouth, Cuoson regained some control over his eyes. "Say no more Captain. I understand."

Syakotus dragged him past the continuous ricocheting of the oncoming bullets and las blasts that bounced from the pipes. He helped Cuoson sit upwards. "We don't have much time."

Syakotus held Cuoson's fist by rapping his around it. "You will not be forgotten, Brother. Your name will live on within the chapter halls."

More gunshots bounced around their position in an array of white noise.

"Go, Captain."

"All we need is five minutes to try and get clear, try to hold on. But if you cannot, Brother Cuoson, do not worry. One way or another this city is coming down."

Syakotus released his grip from Cuoson and rose to his feet, taking one last look at the fallen Marine's face. He turned and ran through the ricocheting of gun shots that were bouncing around the hall, off the pipes and pumps. Steam came gushing out from each bullet hole made in the pipes. Some of the larger pipes blew from a release of pressure once the blast shots smashed them open, followed by small explosions of hot steam gushing out from the bullet. Len Ruo watched his Captain approach his side at the bottom of the stairs.

Cravex watched the two Crimson Fists charge their way up the stairs. A smile of victory fell upon his face, thinking he'd killed the third. Aiming his plasma pistol at both of them, flexing his armoured fingers around its golden handle, he fired shot after shot, watching them duck down behind the rails whilst each plasma blast missed them both by mere inches. He watched whilst the one carrying the sword sliced his way through his followers, thinking to himself that this warrior was indeed a mighty opponent. By his decorated markings he was, indeed, a Captain.

Cultist after cultist jumped up in front of Syakotus, trying hard to kill him, but their lack of armour was against them.

Syakotus stopped half way up the stairs, aiming his wrist mounted storm bolter at the remaining followers of the dark gods. The front strands of his long hair danced about his face, clinging to the sweat upon his forehead. With a slight glimmer of light from the new dawn, coming from the opening in the ceiling above, he caught a glimpse of Cravex watching them.

Turning his gaze back at the lunatic followers, he opened fire with a full burst of bolter fire spraying upwards into each of them, slicing through their cursed flesh. He began charging upwards, creating a blood bath on his way up, whilst still watching the Night Lord, now knowing that he would not leave this city until he met this foe in battle.

The chamber in his storm bolter clicked empty, thick smoke gushed out from each barrel. The Captain then stopped to disconnect the weapon from his wrist, dropping it down the steps, followed by the wire that had been connected to the ammo pack placed on his back. Both the ammo wire and wrist mounted storm bolter dropped with a heavy clan that echoed. Syakotus flexed his fingers around the handle of his power sword then took a tight grip with both hands. He charged up the remaining steps, swinging the blade from left to right, slicing through anything that approached him.

A plasma blast shot down from the upper bridge, leading out of the hall, into Len Ruo's shoulder, knocking his empty flamer from his hands and forcing him to fall backwards down the stairs. Cracking his head on one of the steps, he managed to summersault back over to his feet, regaining his balance only to find he was surrounded by dozens of the Chaos followers who were all armed with clubs, axes, auto pistols and large blades. One of them lunged forwards, plunging a chain sword into his side, splitting through the ceramite of his dark blue armour and letting the razor blades rev up inside his stomach, cracking his ribs.

Falling back with the chain sword stuck in his side, Len Ruo fell backwards into the crowd behind him, knowing that his death was going to be very painful indeed. Feeling more sharp objects penetrate his armour, followed by a powerful blow across the back of his bald head from something heavy, probably a club, he stumbled back from the many hands grabbing him and pulling him down. Len Ruo gritted his teeth through the pain of something sharp enter his neck and closed his eyes; all went dark for the last time in his life.

Cravex began climbing the ladder to the roof from his bridge once he'd seen Syakotus climb up to the far side of the bridge.

"Do not run from me, coward," bellowed Syakotus, who was now running across the bridge to catch up to him, swinging his power sword from side to side.

Cravex climbed up out of the giant hall of the power plant onto the metallic roof. The dawn had almost broken through the sky, gleaming down on to the city. From up here the flames of the burning buildings could be seen followed by the smoke filled clouds, drifting around the city with the grisly winds. Cravex walked away from the great hole on the ceiling, watching Lexor climb up the tall watchtower, looking over the entire city. He pulled his daemon sword from its scabbard, whilst still gripping the golden handle of this plasma pistol. He then turned to face Syakotus, who had now climbed up and out onto the roof himself.

Cravex squeezed his finger back over the plasma pistols trigger, yet nothing happened, "Damn, must be out. Oh well, I guess we'll have to do this the hard way."

Syakotus flexed his fingers around the handle of his power sword. "There is no place for you in the world of mortal men. I will take great pleasure in taking the life from you, betrayer of mankind."

Cravex lifted his sword out forwards, clenching both his hands around the trigger, "Oh, please. Do spare the speeches. It is you who will join your false Emperor in the grave."

Cravex slowly walked forwards towards Syakotus, swinging his daemon sword about as if mocking him, then stopped about several paces from where Syakotus stood. A slight grin raised on his white face.

"Prepare to hate me. This night will hurt you like never before," he said looking at the moving faces within his daemonic blade.

Both men stared into each others' eyes for a few moments and then simultaneously jumped forwards to do battle. Cravex moved swiftly, carrying his daemon-sword with a steady ease. He moved with a motion of quickness, making it harder for Syakotus to anticipate his next move, yet still blocking his attacks with eagerness.

Keeping up the prowess of his power sword, Syakotus matched each attack made by Cravex: advancing, stepping back then forward, taking a swipe with his blade. Both men moved across the roof doing battle as if they were dancing, neither causing an injury to the other. Back and forth they lunged, sparks flying from them both every time they would cross blades. Each was trying to make a striking cut, yet each keeping up the blocking stance at every attempt.

Cravex swung his daemon blade down, trying to cut into Syakotus's skull. Syakotus managed to jump to the right in time for Cravex's blow to miss by mere inches. Then, following suit by using the same attack, Cravex stepped back with a swift motion to his actions, before bringing his blade about, towards Syakotus's chest, but failing to slice through when the crimson fist moved back dodging the attack. Not giving any warning Syakotus swung around lashing his power sword up to Cravex's face. Just missing with Cravex tilting himself back, then ducking down letting the chains around his waist clang loudly together, bringing his daemon sword across, with a quick reflex to make a lower cut, of which Syakotus anticipated, by leaping the wait of his body back.

Suddenly, in a momentarily slip of thought, Syakotus failed to block Cravex, who brought the daemon sword across, slicing deep into his left shoulder pad, cutting deep through his armour into the flesh. Blood seeped out in a splatter, then slid down the dark blue ceramite of his left arm, colouring it red before clotting. Cravex pulled back his daemon sword from Syakotus's shoulder only to make another swing. This time he aimed at Syakotus's face, failing to make a new cut. He watched Syakotus duck down with his quick reactions whilst blocking the attack by raising his power sword to match the strike at him. Syakotus grtted his teeth from the pain of his mortal shoulder wound.

Cravex paused slightly in his next strike and saw from the expression of pain on Syakotus's face that he was starting to weaken.

"Your emotional expression fails you, Crimson Fist," sniggered Cravex. He moved from left to right, taunting his opponent, then made a swift and sudden forward lunge, violently stabbing his daemon sword into Syakotus's stomach. Blood spilled out onto the blade, dripping onto the floor and across his chest and legs. Cravex thrust the blade forwards again, causing more pain and damage, before retracting it back and letting Syakotus stagger forwards, thrust from his balance.

Licking the splashed blood from his lips, Cravex took full advantage of Syakotus's weakened state. He used his full strength to lunge his daemon blade into Syakotus's stomach again, making the wound far more mortal by twisting the blade inside his stomach. Using both his hands he ploughed the daemon sword further into Syakotus, the blade barely missed his spine, cutting out of his back.

"Guurrrrgh." The Captain's legs began weakening. Pulling the blade out, still clutching the handle with both hands, Cravex backed off to watch Syakotus stagger forwards, dropping to his knees, slamming his left hand at the floor, tilting his head forwards, spitting out the blood that had filled in his mouth.

Cravex raised his daemon blade above his head with both hands, "And now it ends," he taunted, bringing his daemon sword down to strike Syakotus across the back of his neck.

"I'm not out yet," he retorted, rolling over swiftly with all his weight while raising his power sword up straight through Cravex's chest. A large splash of dark blood spilled down across him and the ash covered floor in what Cravex thought would be his killing blow. The further Cravex had lunged forward using his weight, the further the power sword sliced into him. At that moment both men gazed into each others eyes, for Syakotus was watching the life drain from Cravex.

"Your over confidence fails you, Night Lord."

"Funn-y," Cravex muttered, spilling his dark blood from his lips.

"And so I believe the pleasure is all mine," Syakotus said, letting Cravex almost touch him before both men rolled and collapsed together onto the floor. Cravex was dead the moment he slammed into the ash covered floor, releasing his daemon sword from his grip. Overcome by his wounds, Syakotus slumped over on to his back and lay in a pool of his own blood. His wounds were fatal enough to take his life.

Gathering his thoughts he attempted to move, trying to sit upwards, looking at the dead corpse of Cravex who laid spread on his back with the power sword stuck firmly in his chest. Syakotus sat up and reached over for his power sword. Clenching his fingers around the handle, he began yanking it from Cravex. Once out, more of Cravex's blood spilled across the floor. Syakotus tried to stand. Looking up at the watch tower he saw another Night Lord watching him.

Lexor stood looking out from behind the smashed glass of the watch tower. His large dreadlocks swung about his face, from the grisly winds yet his body remained still in defiance. The Crimson Fist had slain his lord, making the rest of the Night Lords his to command, and for that he was pleased. This warrior had done what he'd being afraid to. But the Crimson Fist was still his enemy and it would make him weak to his followers if they thought he'd let him live.

Lexor raised his arm, clenching his fingers around the trigger of his bolt pistol. He pulled the trigger back, watching the first bolt shell thud straight through the Crimson Fist's ankle, creating a shower of blood. Again he fired his bolt pistol, aiming slightly higher. The bolt shell thudded into the Crimson Fist's arm that was clenching the power sword. Lexor watched the Crimson Fist release his grip, again he took another shot and this time he aimed for the face.

The bolt shell impacted into the Crimson Fists face, plummeting into his left eye. The Crimson Fist fell back down on his back. Lexor stopped firing from the sight of more Crimson Fists climbing out onto the roof.

The first thing that Korde saw was Lexor taking pot shots at his fallen Captain. Raising his combi-weapon up towards the watchtower, gliding his finger over the trigger, he let loose a burst of full-auto fire. Judson, Horten, Frieh followed suit, firing their bolters upwards towards the watch tower; the sound became somewhat deafening from the combined bolter fire.

Korde dashed over to Syakotus, dropping his combi to the ground, "NOOO!" he bellowed, dropping down to his knees, "Captain"¦stay with me."

Lexor ducked down from the continuous blockade of bolter fire that was trying to gun him down, fired by the angered Crimson Fists. Realising that he was not going to win this battle, he took his over sized power sword from its scabbard. Dashing over to the back of the watchtower he began cutting a hole large enough to escape through.

Korde looked up to the sky from the growling sound of the Salamander's Thunderhawks echoing through the skies The lead Thunderhawk started lowering its landing legs while it lowered for landing, blowing the ash from the roof, twirling up in the air.

Korde picked up the fallen body of Syakotus in both arms and began walking towards the Thunderhawk.

"Captain, stay with us. It is not your time to go yet," he said, walking across the roof towards the Thunderhawk, which had landed, with its ramp now lowering for them to board.

The only thing Cuoson could smell was the clotted blood that had filled up in his nostrils. Whilst he stopped panting out deep breaths he could feel his innards slow, his once strong arms weakened drastically. Cuoson felt the weakness spread through his mortally wounded body, like a virus shutting down a computer system. Limb by limb he felt death reap him. His eyes widened at the face of a Night Lord standing over him. The Chaos Marine clenched a chain axe in one hand and a bolt pistol in the other. He towered over Cuoson, staring through the reds of his helmets eyes, which was moulded like the face of a giant bat with bat wings sprouting out on either side.

Cuoson looked up at the Chaos Marine. Using what strength he had left, he mustered a smile. The Night Lord bent down, putting his face straight in to Cuoson's.

"What are you smirking at? You have no weapon to defend yourself, and I am going to torture you before death takes you."

Cuoson smiled, "You"¦are wrong," he said, revealing the detonator clenched tightly in his hand.

Cuoson spat out the last of the clotted blood that filled up in his mouth and pressed his thumb over the detonator switch, then collapsed in a heap onto the floor before rolling over the edge of the void into the mouth of the volcano.

The Night Lord peered over the edge to see the beginning of the explosions from the detonation of the fixed explosives. The sound of the giant pipes placed over the centre and deep into the volcano's mouth echoed throughout the giant hall the moment they came crashing down. The tore the marble floor apart like shredding through paper, tossing the Night Lord upwards along with the other Chaos followers in a mass of compulsive explosions that started spreading throughout the whole complex. The sound became somewhat deafening, with the fire's turning into back drafts, shooting down into every corridor adjacent to the great hall. With the walls tearing themselves down, the cog wheels began spinning through the hall and flames like flying blades. They were cutting deep into the pipes, creating more explosions from the gas igniting with the open flames, tossing debris up and down as if creating its own tornado within.

The ground beneath their feet began ripping apart from the vibrations of the explosions down below, with the roof beginning to cave in on itself. Frieh stood over the edge looking down at the ball of fire that engulfed the whole power plant below.

"I think it's time we take our leave of this city," he said, stepping onto the ramp of the Salamander's Thunderhawk, followed by the others.

Korde was the last to step foot on the ramp, carrying his Captain. Once inside, the ramp closed up. Quornas stood from his seat to take the Captain from Korde's hands.

"He still breaths," Quornas said, looking into the saddened eyes of the all of Korde's squad.

Grailin stepped up close to Quornas and gently hovered his hand across Syakotus's forehead. "His aura is strong, I sense the Emperor is with him today."

The Salamander's Captain Volorie came from the cockpit to greet the Crimson Fists. Both Quornas and Korde placed Syakotus on the floor of the vibrating Thunderhawk. It was battling for control of the sky, trying to escape the grip of explosive winds it had being caught up in.

"So this is your Captain?" Volorie asked in his deep tone.

"It is," Korde answered, wiping the soot from his face.

"Then I'm honoured to meet him. If we survive this rain of explosions we will get him to your apothecaries."

The Thunderhawks managed to escape the grip from the black smoke with the growling engines drowned out from the loader explosions. The power plant behind them imploded in on itself with a loud roar moments later. The turbulence rocked the Thunderhawk violently, the pilots battled for control from the rocking and rattling against the hull. One of the other Thunderhawks became engulfed by the dark clouds spreading across the sky, covering the new daylight over like a blanket. Darkness once again claimed the city of Volcane.

The smell of sulphur filled the air, choking hundreds of the Chaos followers, cultists and even the Chaos Space Marine Night Lords. The atmosphere became so un-breathable that it began killing those on the ground who were advancing towards the bridge. It was followed by the violence of the ground shaking, tearing itself apart then crumbling into fountains of rubble followed by the toppling of the buildings that still stood from the Night Lord's invasion.

The sky filled up with black smoke, and then followed by an even louder explosion. The volcano erupted in a roar of more dark grey clouds, forming a giant mushroom before falling back down, setting the scene as if it were snowing. The explosions took mere seconds to spread through the city in all directions. The Night Lords were brought to a stand still, moments before they were tossed up high into the city, killing most of them instantly whilst the flames spread through the streets, ripping the tanks open before the strong violent winds picked them up, throwing them into the last of the buildings. All traces of the sky became covered by darkness, the magma blew twenty five cubic kilometres, carried away with the ash, floating down like snow covering everywhere in a grey ash. The magnetic explosions began bringing everything electrical to a stand still, including the last Thunderhawk that had been trying hard to battle the winds. The Salamander Space Marines sat in its cockpit watched the winds carry them to their deaths, smashing the Thunderhawk into the streets below in a ball of explosions.

Lieutenant Tyde stood on top of one of the Leman Russ battle tanks, watching the cliffs of Volcane crumble into large balls of rock, then slam into the violently rocking water below. He watched the dark cloud cover Volcane in a blanket of flames and grey ash, floating across the river, trying to set like a layer of snow. His Cadian Guardsmen stood watching the bridge rock side to side It was creaking with every motion before the centre gave way and cracked, snapping the bridge into two, like a twig, then falling apart and crumbling into the thrashing waves of the river.

Tyde opened his eyes wide at the mere sight of the circularised explosions heading towards him and his guardsmen. Knowing that this was it, this was his end, he turned his back to the fast approaching cloud, closing his eyes the moment if engulfed him and his men. Seconds later the flames followed.

Quornas, Korde and Captain Volorie stood behind the pilots in the cockpit of the Thunderhawk, watching the last of the Salamander's Thunderhawks try to catch up to them.