Free Galaxy in Flames by Ben Counter Page B

There is nothing beyond the reach of the gods of the warp!’
    ‘ Gods?’ replied Horus. ‘You waste your time throwing such words around, they do not impress me. I already know that your “gods” need my help, so speak plainly or we are done here.’
    ‘Your Emperor,’ replied Sarr’Kell, and for a fleeting moment, Erebus detected a trace of unease in the creature’s voice. Such entities were unused to the defiance of a mortal, even one as mighty as a primarch. ‘He meddles in matters he does not understand. On the world you call Terra, his grand designs cause a storm in the warp that tears it asunder from within. We care nothing for your realm, you know this. It is anathema to us. We offer power that can help you take his place, Warmaster. Our aid will see you destroy your foes and take you to the very gates of the Emperor’s palace. We can deliver the galaxy to you. All we care for is that his works cease and that you take his place.’
    The unseen voice spoke in sibilant tones, slick and persuasive, but Erebus could see that Horus was unmoved. ‘And what of this power? Do you understand the magnitude of this task? The galaxy will be divided, brother will fight brother. The Emperor will have his Legions and the Imperial Army, the Custodian Guard, the Sisters of Silence. Can you be the equal of such a foe?’
    ‘The gods of the warp are masters of the primal forces of all reality. As your Emperor creates, the warp decays and destroys. As he brings us to battle, we shall melt away, and as he gathers his strength, we shall strike from the shadows. The victory of the gods is as inevitable as the passing of time and the mortality of flesh. Do the gods not rule an entire universe hidden from your eyes, Warmaster? Have they not made the warp dark at their command?’
    ‘ Your gods did this? Why? You have blinded my Legions!’
    ‘Necessity, Warmaster. The darkness blinds the Emperor too, blinds him to our plans and yours. The Emperor thinks himself the master of the warp and he would seek to know his enemies by it, but see how swiftly we can confound him? You will have passage through the warp as you need it, Warmaster, for as we bring darkness, so we can bring light.’
    ‘ The Emperor remains ignorant of all that has transpired?’
    ‘Completely,’ sighed Sarr’Kell, ‘and so, Warmaster, you see the power we can give you. All that remains is for your word, and the pact will be made.’
    Horus said nothing, as if weighing up the choices before him, and Erebus could sense the growing impatience of the warp creature.
    At last the Warmaster spoke again. ‘Soon I shall unleash my Legions against the worlds of the Isstvan system. There I shall set my Legions upon the path of the new Crusade. There are matters that must be dealt with at Isstvan, and I will deal with them in my own way.’
    Horus looked over at Erebus and said, ‘When I am done with Isstvan, I will pledge my forces with those of your masters, but not until then. My Legions will go through the fire of Isstvan alone, for only then will they be tempered into my shining blade aimed at the Emperor’s heart.’
    The sibilant, roiling chill of Sarr’Kell’s voice hissed as if he took mighty breaths.
    ‘My masters accept,’ he said at last. ‘You have chosen well, Warmaster.’
    The chill wind that had carried the words of the warp entity blew again, stronger this time, its ageless malevolence like the murder of innocence.
    Its icy touch slid through Erebus and he drew a cold breath before the sensation faded and the unnatural darkness began to recede, the light of the fire once more illuminating the lodge temple.
    The creature was gone and the void of its presence was an ache felt deep in the soul.
    ‘Was it worth it, Warmaster?’ asked Erebus, releasing the pent up breath he had been holding.
    ‘Yes,’ said Horus, glancing down at Ing Mae Sing’s body. ‘It was worth it.’
    The Warmaster turned to Regulus and said, ‘Adept, I wish the