| Denial; DAT | |
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| Topic Started: Jun 28 2012, 03:32 AM (353 Views) | |
| Dark Apostle Thirst | Jun 28 2012, 03:32 AM Post #1 |
Legio rep.
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Soooo... guys... I honestly don't know why I forgot to post this here but I did. For those of you who don't know, this is the second part of the ongoing story of the Dark Apostle Thirst, and the first couple of stories chronicle his change from a underhive thief to a Word Bearer. This first part, Birth, sets up the story and will explain a lot of what's going on here  Comments and criticism are of course welcome. I know I am not the best writer, and if there is anything I can do to improve my work I will gladly hear it On to the story... --------- "Do you know what happened to me yourself, first?" Thirst queried as he finished. The Inquisitor kept his tone and posture neutral. "I know enough." "It's an old record, but if you were looking for me you would already know that. The Inquisition does keep collective knowledge on its traitors, does it not?" The marine smirked as he said this. Gurnoth Lan, however, was not as amused. "He was no traitor, if you were really the Dark Apostle you would know this, wouldn't you?" Thirst's smirk turned into a snarl. "Fool. Only the dead and I are privy to that kind of information. Knowledge is power, as the Thousand Sons say, and I am not keen to give that kind of power to anyone." The Inquisitor leaned forward, looking at the Word Bearer who continued leaning against the psychic barrier that imprisoned him. Gurnoth knew he had the Dark Apostle now - if it was truly him, but those doubts were fading with every word from the marine's lips. "What happened, then? Seeing as we Imperials didn't have much in the way of survivors from his people..." "And the survivor that did live did so because I willed it." Thirst closed his eyes, remembering. "But wouldn't you rather hear about how the good Inquisitor fell, long before you became one?" Gurnoth reclined back in his throne again, disapointed. "Rone might have been a radical Inquisitor, but again he was no traitor. You really aren't the Dark Apostle." The Word Bearer chuckled as he heard this. "Oh, but the good Inquisitor and I have spent so much time together, and I know everything about him." He tapped a white gem on his chest plate. "How much do you know of the Eldar and their soul-stones?" The Imperial's eyes widened as he realized what the traitor was implying. "You didn't..." Thirst grinned back at his interrogator's shocked face. "I even managed to keep it as part of my armour when I ascended to daemonhood. Don't worry about him, he's perfectly safe within this little stone. Not many can claim the same type of immortality.' 'So let me tell you about the traitor and what he tried to do. Let me tell you exactly what happened..." -- Sooidam stood before the assembled recruits. "You have done well to make it this far. You have proven that you are not as weak as the others.' Here, the Word Bearer began pacing. The ragged youths knew better than to react to any of the astartes' moves. 'Yet some of you are doomed to failure still. Before, you have been taught to survive. You know that the Dark Gods favour is the only thing that will guarantee your life lasting longer than a few years.' A pause. 'Now you will learn to earn that favour. I am the First Acolyte of the 52nd Host, and I will make you slaughterers, bearing Lorgar's holy Word through blade and bolter fire. You will become the greatest warriors the galaxy has to offer, and the chosen tools of the Dark Gods. The Word Bearers are the weapons of these most holy deities, and our power melded with the support of our patrons make us matchless in the waging of war. Obey, and you will survive to see yourselves wrought into the most potent killers to grace the lackeys of the False Emperor. Resist, and you will be crushed by the more worthy just as your foes would have been. Do you understand?" "Yes, First Acolyte" The initiates replied. "Good. Each of you, take a weapon from the wall there." The recruits nodded and began to head towards the appointed racks of weapons, except two - Thirst and another trainee. Sooidam raised his eyebrows at them. "Did you not hear what I said? You must obey." Thirst bowed his head in acknowledgement. "I did, First Acolyte. You also said that we were to become the weapons. How can we make ourselves into weapon if we are wielding one?" The Word Bearer appeared annoyed at this. "You are under my command, are you not?" "Yes First Acolyte but-" A slap interceded before Thirst could finish his sentence. Sooidam continued coldly. "And when I tell you to kill the man beside you, am I not using you as a weapon against him?" "You are, First Acolyte." The former thief could barely speak after the bare-handed blow. "Good. Now kill him to show me you understand. No weapons, either of you." Thirst whirled and put his fist into his opponent's gut before he could react. A knee to the face and a leg-sweep quickly followed, tumbling his opponent to the ground. The psyker brought his knee into the other man's chest, pinning him. Shocked, pinned and unable to see out of his broken face, the initiate put up little resistance as Thirst choked him. A minute later, it was over. Sooidam narrowed his eyes at the victor as he rised. "How did you learn to fight like that?" The former thief shrugged. "I used to skirt the gangs before I was taken, and when the teachers decided we were weak they made sure we all watched their executions, First Acolyte." "Is this why you decided to question me? So that you would learn how we did it?" The master looked down at the bloodied recruit, dissaproving. "It is, First Acolyte." "I have been doing this for longer than you have been alive, half-mortal. You will learn all our methods if you can prove yourself, which I doubt." Thirst bowed his head. He had learned not to question this one. "As you say, First Acolyte." |
I tend to remember things off the top of my head as opposed to checking, so please excuse and correct any official fluff mistakes I make. A lot of it also personal interpretation and theory, so feel free to disagree as well, I won't mind
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| Dark Apostle Thirst | Jul 12 2012, 07:47 PM Post #2 |
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Legio rep.
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Hey guys! 'waves hands' Update time! ------------- Gurnoth Lan interrupted the Word Bearer here. "What does this have to do with the Inquisitor Rone?" Thirst's reply was a growl. "You won't understand what happened unless I explain why. Now, silence." As soon as the words left his lips the Puritan squad once again dropped into a combat stance, their glaives pointed at the traitor marine. Gurnoth waved his hand to order the squad to return to their at the ready position. "I think I am capable of understanding on my own." The Dark Apostle shook his head in response. "No, you won't. The Inquisition has many capable individuals at its command-' That's debatable, the enthroned Inquisitor thought. '-but it is better this way. You will understand when the time comes." "Fine. Continue, then." Gurnoth leaned back as he said this, and Thirst began again. ------- The young recruit wasn't sure if he was grateful for the Apothecary or not. That faceless helm kept him alive to fight another day, but then it also kept him alive to deal with the Word Bearers. Thirst was tired of this miserable ship. The First Acolyte continued to train the dwindling recruits in the art of war. It had been too many cycles since the time when they had first begun their training with him, and almost all of them had accepted the Black Carapace. Those who had it were allowed to roam the ship much like the first time they had exitted the Apothecarion. Thirst didn't know how long ago that was or how old he was now. He knew so much more since the Word Bearers had claimed him. Some of it came from his geneseed, they told him. He had picked up six swords one day. Every day before, they had all felt the same, but this day he could feel that each was unbalanced until he came to the last one. Other recruits had started doing the same thing as they all changed into giants. Much more of it came from the extensive studies the astartes had forced upon them. Texts from the many Coryphii and Dark Apostles on faith and war. Books on how to construct and destroy grand fortresses from their allies in the Iron Warriors. Tomes of sorcery from the Thousand Sons. Histories of the growing Hosts of Word Bearers. And always, the Book of Lorgar was there, in strips laid alongside the points made from other Legions, in small volumes handed to each recruit, in every bookshelf and the centre of every hall of worship. It was scrawled in the flesh of countless sacrifices and on the skulls of a thousand different xenos beasts that hung on every wall. To say anything to contradict it was a death sentence, and their teachers paraded those corpses in front of the others to prove the Word's truth. Thirst hated it all. It was all wrong. The universe couldn't exist this way, in this hell. The recruit could feel the pain of those who died here clinging to the walls and watched countless horrors here. This couldn't be the way everything was supposed to be. Not like this. At least the Emperor had promised a better life. |
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I tend to remember things off the top of my head as opposed to checking, so please excuse and correct any official fluff mistakes I make. A lot of it also personal interpretation and theory, so feel free to disagree as well, I won't mind
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| Terrorblind | Jul 13 2012, 03:57 AM Post #3 |
Renegade
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I'm keeping an eye on this. Keep going Thirst! |
 
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| Eetion | Jul 13 2012, 05:34 PM Post #4 |
Chosen
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Yeah. Its really enjoyable. |
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| Dark Apostle Thirst | Jul 14 2012, 03:57 AM Post #5 |
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Legio rep.
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What, you mean like this? -------------- Rone stood still before the circle of Inquisitors before him. "I know I am young, and have no great deeds to my name. You have assigned me to the Black Ships on the day I left the Interrogator position behind me, and since I have done nothing but serve faithfully." This earned an encouraging nod from his former teacher, Molike, and the Lord Inquisitor Noma, a large man who bore a plain white mask. His three other peers, however, remained motionless. "My psyker assistant has often had prophecies and murmours from the Warp. Some proved fruitless, yes, but the majority have proven their worth one way or another. I can give as many examples of this as you desire, and it is safe to say that he has proven key in at least three major engagements against the forces of Chaos." One of the Inquisitors, Maveir, commented here. "You believe the Emperor guides him." Rone almost smiled despite the speaker's neutral tone, for this is exactly what he wanted to hear. "Yes. I'll cut to the matter then - my assisstant has prophecied about a being, destined to represent true holiness. We found this being, a small boy, and realized he might grow to represent the Emperor to our foes and the people of the Imperium. We were attacked by an entire Astarte fleet that bore Word Bearer colours. They boarded us, took the boy, and let us flee." There were no reactions, of course. None of them dared betray their emotions to the others. Politics may end Thirst's only hope, Rone thought desperately. "I hereby request any aid I may gather to regain possession of the boy. This is a resource that we can not only deny the enemy but use for ourselves. The Emperor has willed it to be so." Again, there was no response as the gathered individuals considered his request. Finally, the Lord Inquisitor spoke, his tone disapproving. "You had a chance to eliminate him and anything else the Word Bearers might have taken by self-destructing the Black Ship. Instead, you chose to believe that the followers of Chaos would do anything other than take your ship and everything in it. I think only the Emperor's blessing spared you, and I am tempted to execute you where you stand.' Then Noma sighed, his mask muffling the sound. It was still abundantly clear he was displeased. 'It is not my place to contradict the will of the Emperor, however. That the Word Bearers spared you is evidence enough that the Emperor wills our action in this. But you are not fit to lead this mission to reclaim the being." "I know my pupil better than anyone, my lord. I will gladly serve here." Molike's voice was solemn, patient. A difference from the anger that Rone knew so well. The superior shook his head at this suggestion. "You failed to teach him well, apparently. No, you will serve elsewhere." Then he turned towards Mavier. "I know you will not settle for half measures. Show the true way to the incompetent one, and take task force Alpha and Beta to regain control of the prophesied being.' Noma made the sign of the Aquila over his chest, and the other Inquisitors mirrored the gesture. 'So it has been decreed, so it will be. Go and do as you have been commanded." |
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I tend to remember things off the top of my head as opposed to checking, so please excuse and correct any official fluff mistakes I make. A lot of it also personal interpretation and theory, so feel free to disagree as well, I won't mind
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| Terrorblind | Jul 14 2012, 04:38 AM Post #6 |
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Renegade
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Moar! |
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| Dark Apostle Thirst | Jul 16 2012, 05:38 PM Post #7 |
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Legio rep.
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One by one, the last surviving recruits filed into the room. In it was power armor, unmarked or warped in any way, and the First Acolyte. Thirst was surprised at the sight of anything that hadn't been touched by Chaos in some way, especially something that was so close to the Word Bearers themselves. These suits may well have been destined for loyalists based on their complete lack of ornamentation. He idly wondered if they had been stolen or forged, before deciding he didn't care. All that mattered was that they were there, and they were perfect for his needs. He showed none of this to the First Acolyte, however, standing at attention in the presence of his teacher. Sooidam waited patiently for all the recruits to assume their positions as they had done so many times before. Finally, he spoke. "Your training is not yet over. But only the harshest tests remain, that of true combat with the forces who seek to deny the Dark Gods their holy right over the galaxy. You are almost ready to join the 52nd Host.' The teacher turned and gestured to the suits. 'Take one of these for yourselves and take the next step to becoming a full astarte." A chorus of acknowledgements answered him, and for the first time in a long time, the psyker heard eagerness from his peers. They were being given a gift, and they were going to take it. Three of the recruits walked over to the power armor immediately. The rest, however, bowed their heads to indicate a question in the face of an order. Sooidam seemed pleased at this, which terrified Thirst. The First Acolyte was never happy when questions had asked. Today seemed different as their mentor turned to one of the recruits. "Stogan. State your question." "My lord, there are many different types of the blessed power armor. Which one is the best?" The Word Bearer smiled as he replied. "Mine is, of course.' The former thief almost fled to the suits when he realized that Sooidam had made a joke. Stogan and the others hesitated, unsure of how to respond. 'But that is not what you are asking, is it? Look at these suits. They are all Mark Sixes and were new technology during the Great Crusade. They are much quieter than the other Marks. The ones to the right of them are Mark Sevens, developed after the event the Imperials call the Scouring. They have better technology than the previous Marks, but are slightly bulkier than Mark Sixes. There is no template for Mark Fives - there were many custom suits made during Horus's war, and they were all given the Mark Five designation." And so Sooidam continued on. Though they had learned many techniques for waging war and fighting their many enemies, the developing astartes has learned little of the tools almost all Word Bearers would use, always because they were not deemed ready enough for them. Thirst had longed for the day they would be given their power armor and bolters. And now, after so long, it had come. ---- Sooidam walked into the antechamber that connected the rest of the ship to the Dark Apostle's personal quarters. The room was empty, of course, and so the Word Bearer sat down in the guest seat. Very few were allowed to even request an audience with Rithra, and only the First Acolyte could enter the private meeting room at whim, aside from the Dark Apostle himself. Eventually, Sooidam was joined by his lord, who seated himself opposite of the younger astarte. The leader of the 52nd Host nodded to Sooidam he settled. "Speak, my apprentice." The First Acolyte began as ordered. "My lord, the prophesied being has shown no signs of psychic power at all. All we have to even support this gift is the Apothecary claiming that the marks on his throat were due to a null's effect on a psyker, and that his genes show signs of the touch of Chaos." Rithra pondered this for a moment before answering his pupil. "Then he simply has not had reason to use them yet. Give him one. It is doubtful he himself knows of his genes, so do not hesitate to give him whatever pressure he needs." "Dark Apostle, there is little on this ship that has not been affected by the Dark Gods-" "Enough. I know you do not have faith in the sorceror.' The senior Word Bearer shook his head as he said this. 'But Tzeentch has shown him favor. Regardless of the fruits this prophecy bears for us, one of our masters wills our action here. So we will act." Sooidam clenched his teeth for a moment, then relented. "As you say, my lord. I will force his gift or watch him be broken." Edited by Dark Apostle Thirst, Jul 22 2012, 03:57 AM.
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I tend to remember things off the top of my head as opposed to checking, so please excuse and correct any official fluff mistakes I make. A lot of it also personal interpretation and theory, so feel free to disagree as well, I won't mind
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| Terrorblind | Jul 17 2012, 03:51 AM Post #8 |
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Renegade
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Can't wait to see what the Acolyte is going to do. |
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| Dark Apostle Thirst | Jul 21 2012, 03:53 AM Post #9 |
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Legio rep.
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Oh, you will  ------------------------ The recruits assembled outside of the thunderhawk launch bay. Thirst was shocked at how many there were - at least three dozen, possibly more, a far cry from the six that he had claimed his armor with. A few true Word Bearers were there too, four that the former thief could see. The First Acolyte was one of them, and he stood on a pedastal, flanked on either side by six thunderhawk landing ramps. A few of the trainees nervously approached the empty aircraft, but after a few moments they would quickly go back to their peers. And for the first time, there was talking between the other recruits. Many were silent and stood by themselves, but small groups had formed and even the few that Thirst had trained next to seemed to stay close to each other. Stogan spoke first. "Ok, squadmates. We'll be-" "What makes you think we'll be in the same squad?" Ticrashin interjected. It was the first time the psyker had heard his voice. Ticrashin seemed to accept the geneseed better than the others, always being the first to recover from the surgeries performed on them. Sooidam once commented that physically the recruit was the model of a son of Lorgar - high cheekbones, pale marble skin, lithe body and dark hair. The trait that set him truly apart, however, was his eyes. His pupils had become golden since the last implant, and most of their teachers had chosen to treat him with a modicum of respect once they noticed this. Stogan, by comparison, had accepted the geneseed, but he seemed to affect it just as it had affected him. Before the implants he was considered a large recruit, now he stood half a foot over the others. He had chosen Mark Three armour, impressed by its faceless helm and bulk, and that had only aided his stature. What had truly set Stogan apart was his confidence. He seemed to be the only one that wasn't surprised they had made it this far. "They'll keep us together. I doubt they want us killing each other after we've proven ourselves this far." Thirst spoke here. "I know they've spoken of many combat trials and how you will have to fight for dominance and leadership of a squad, but I think that comes after we've all become full Word Bearers." "I agree. We'll have plenty of time to decide which of us is the worthiest after we've all finally been proven worthy." This came from Vathir. He alone was considered likeable by the former thief, and so it seemed the rest as well. Vathir was also the most vocal - asking questions of the teachers that pleased both their masters in their tone and led to answers that greatly aided the group. He has once warned two fighting initiates of a coming Word Bearer, saving their lives. His body had accepted the geneseed well, though not near the level of Ticrashin. He held respect, however, and that made him valuable to all. Ticrashin's golden eyes narrowed. "So they want us to keep peace with each other. I doubt keeping us in the group we've been training with will help that." Vathir's reply was calm, his tone relaxing the conflict. "We've been through hell together. You know what we all had to deal with and what we're all capable of because of it." "What's your point?" "His point,' a new voice entered condescendingly, 'is that you have all fought and bled together. You know each other's skills better than any of the others in this bay, save perhaps the vaunted First Acolyte. You can trust the skills of these brothers, because you have witnessed it. The same cannot be said of any of the other aspirants." The speaker was undoubtedly a full Word Bearer. Stylised features were painted onto a helm that was perfectly smooth, except for the curling horns that swept backwards. No metal trim adorned this suit of armor, instead thin lines of white swirled around the edges, forming bands over the many interlocking plates. A staff, topped by a pure, unblemished crystal, was held in one gauntlet, the other was empty. A few pouches hung from the belt that kept his tabard secured. Thirst recognised him instantly. "Prophesied one,' the sorceror said as he inclined his head towards the boy he had once taken. 'It has been a while." The other recruits started glancing at the former thief nervously. The Word Bearer laughed as he noticed this. "Did the First Acolyte not tell you? I made a prophecy about you, young one. Since the night I received it I have been able to feel you pulsing across the Warp.' The helm moved back and forth after he stated this. The others were starting to back away now. 'But that is not why I am here. The Dark Apostle has granted my request that I lead your squad in your first true combat. You will need eight other aspirants. Choose carefully." Thirst looked at those he had trained alongside for so long. They looked at him warily, then looked at each other. Finally, Stogan stepped towards him. "I'll earn the Dark Gods' favour faster if I can out perform someone they think is special. I'll join your squad, Thirst." A few murmurs of agreement followed this proclamation, and the two recruits shook hands. The rest of the group quickly followed Stogan in joining the swelling squad. That left two. The former thief scanned the crowd. He needed people who would support his plan, but that would be difficult to find. Finally, he pointed towards a pair of twins. The sorceror called them over, then signalled the First Acolyte, who nodded his assent, then raised his fist to his chest. Instantly, the assembled recruits recognized the sign and became silent. It had been their first lesson. Sooidam almost smiled as he watched how well he had taught them to obey. Then he began to speak. "My young astartes, today you will use your skills. Today you will begin to understand what it means to be a Word Bearer. Today you will be made or broken. Today, you will go to war." |
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I tend to remember things off the top of my head as opposed to checking, so please excuse and correct any official fluff mistakes I make. A lot of it also personal interpretation and theory, so feel free to disagree as well, I won't mind
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| Brother Cambrius | Jul 22 2012, 03:49 AM Post #10 |
Loyalist
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Moooaaaaar! Mooooaaaaar! I'm really enjoying this Thirst! Very nicely done thus far.
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 The Oblivion Warriors - Coming soon to a Heretical Forum near you! Current Progress: 2x completed Chaos Marines & 1x Aspiring Champion Next: 5x Possessed to build. | |
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