The army of the City of the Sun appeared from the north, joining the battlefield.
A full legion of Cold One cavalry, a Tyrannosaur legion, and several other lizardmen legions emerged from the north. At the forefront, surrounded by legions of holy temple guards, was the ruler of the City of the Sun, Mazdamundi, the strongest of the second-generation Slann, seated upon a massive ancient Triceratops.
After receiving significant assistance from the Emperor, which restored many of their spawning pools, the army of the City of the Sun had grown strong and prosperous, far removed from the decline of its past.
Mazdamundi uttered a single word in an ancient, incomprehensible star language. No mortal could understand its depth, but the meaning soon became clear. The ground quaked, the stars trembled, and the surface of Lustria seemed to resonate as if struck by gods or an even older force. Even the skies shuddered under the might of the Slann's power.
A massive fissure, hundreds of meters long and tens of meters wide, split open the earth! An entire Chaos warband, including Vashnar the World-Ender, plummeted into the chasm. Only the Midnight Shadow, a black dragon, managed to take flight in time, narrowly saving the Dark Elf warlord.
Mazdamundi raised a hand and gently clenched it. The fissure closed instantly, sealing the cries of over a thousand Chaos warriors beneath, along with the sound of their armor shattering. An entire Chaos warband was annihilated in an instant.
"Damn lizards! Once I deal with these humans, I'll come straight to your door!" Vashnar roared furiously. Drawing his weapon, he urged his black dragon forward, joining the fray.
"Kroq-Gar!" His opponent was none other than Kroq-Gar, the Last Defender. The two titans clashed instantly. Kroq-Gar's spear, the revered weapon imbued with the power of the Old Ones, engaged in a terrifying duel with Vashnar's dark blades.
Meanwhile, the powerful Chaos sorcerer Ku'gath Plaguefather stepped forward. This supreme sorcerer of Chaos, a master of the Plague God's dark magic, confronted the divine wrath of Mazdamundi directly. The two spellcasters locked eyes, their spirits transcending the material realm and entering the depths of the Warp, where a fearsome magical battle commenced.
In the void, Mazdamundi manipulated the power of the stars. With every motion, he altered the very laws of the Warp. Streams of starlight surged around him, coalescing into a titanic void-beast resembling an ancient dragon. The celestial beast unleashed waves of starfire upon Ku'gath.
The Plaguefather, in turn, harnessed the putrid power of Chaos, summoning a torrent of beasts formed from the bodies of eagles, ravens, dogs, and serpents. These creatures, steeped in Chaos energy, surged forward to clash directly with the starlight flames.
The collision of their energies within the Warp sent shockwaves rippling into the mortal realm. The skies over the battlefield turned into a kaleidoscope of colors, dazzling and chaotic.
"Argh!" Ku'gath exerted himself to the utmost, barely resisting the Slann's relentless assault. Blood gushed from his seven orifices.
Mazdamundi remained composed. Chanting another ancient syllable, he conjured a rainbow vortex that consumed everything in its path. Following this, five beams of concentrated magic assaulted Ku'gath's mind and soul.
The swirling Chaos energies Ku'gath had summoned were devoured by the rainbow vortex. Black, putrid blood poured from his eyes, nose, and mouth. He appeared to mutter something, but the scene around him became horrifying. The Chaos warriors and Chosen nearby stared in shock as Ku'gath's body began to disintegrate. His flesh and soul dissipated into wisps of greenish smoke, blown away by the wind until no trace of him remained in the mortal world.
The Plaguefather, who had terrorized Naggaroth's northern reaches for over a century, was completely obliterated.
However, Ku'gath's desperate efforts were not without consequence. His final resistance, coupled with days of fierce fighting and the deaths of tens of thousands, caused a shift in the battlefield.
The vibrant, multicolored sky suddenly turned blood-red. Accompanying the sound of the Warp and reality fracturing, a horde of Khorne demons materialized on the battlefield.
Among them was the legendary Bloodthirster, commander of Khorne's Third Legion, and destroyer of countless worlds: Ka'bandha.
"I smell the feathers of that one!" Ka'bandha roared with laughter upon his arrival in the mortal world. The Bloodthirster, a master of the hunt and a supreme servant of Khorne, bellowed, "Kill! Kill everyone! The Skull Lord demands the soul of that bird-man! We shall offer it to the Skull Throne!"
Towering at six or seven meters, with massive wings, bulging muscles, and radiating an aura of sulfur and brass, Ka'bandha's every breath spread the oppressive stench of Khorne's domain across the battlefield. His mere presence swung the tides of war, as if hellfire and molten blood surged through the air with each inhalation.
As if heralding his arrival, waves of Khorne demons joined the fray.
Ka'bandha's lieutenants included Skaegh, a Bloodthirster of great renown, and Korax, another mighty demon. Additionally, squads of Skull Cannons, Flesh Hounds, and Bloodletters descended onto the battlefield.
The arrival of Khorne's demonic army granted the World-Ender's forces a reprieve. Meanwhile, Ka'bandha charged directly toward Mazdamundi, seated atop his golden throne on the ancient Triceratops.
The lizardmen fought valiantly, but no creature could stand against Ka'bandha. The Bloodthirster's every move tore apart dozens of lizardmen warriors. Even the mightiest beasts fell in a single blow. Not even the elite temple guards could halt the advance of Khorne's forces.
"Our ancient enemy has returned," Mazdamundi murmured, bowing his head. He began chanting a long and ancient incantation. Around him, the temple guard formed a tight shield wall, buying him time.
Sensing the Slann's formidable spell, Ka'bandha exhaled clouds of sulfur, rampaging like a tornado of death. Even the finest temple guards of the City of the Sun could not withstand his devastating power. Lizardman corpses filled the air like a bloody rain, their deaths fueling Khorne's insatiable hunger and delighting the Bloodthirster.
But just as Ka'bandha was about to reach Mazdamundi, the Slann's incantation was complete. He raised his hand, unleashing a primordial wave of energy.
The Great Spell of the Old Ones: Dissolution!
A pillar of pure magic struck Ka'bandha, blasting the Bloodthirster backward. One of his massive wings smoked and charred, but what would have instantly annihilated any other demon merely inflicted a minor wound on him.
Mazdamundi was not surprised that his spell had failed to defeat Ka'bandha. Calmly, he cast another spell, raising the land by several meters and erecting a magical barrier to isolate Khorne's forces.
Ka'bandha's bovine face twisted into a gruesome smile. Few knew that this Bloodthirster was no mindless brute. Beneath his fury lay cunning and strategy. He masked his intelligence with rage and his wit with recklessness.
For now, the lizardmen could not aid the defenders within the city.
Perfect. He had unfinished business with the bird-man.
Ka'bandha immediately ordered the Khorne army to continue its assault on Constantinople. As for him, he sought the souls of Sanguinius and his brother, Fulgrim.
Within Constantinople, the battle raged on.
With the arrival of the lizardmen reinforcements, the defenders gained a moment of respite. The undead pirates faltered after Luthor Harkon was wounded, their combat effectiveness waning. The World-Ender's forces were forced to engage the lizardmen, leaving Fulgrim and his Ashen Legion to face only the southern forces of the Pestilens Skaven.
Fulgrim began reorganizing his forces. As a Primarch, he had long anticipated the possibility of the city walls falling. Constantinople, built as a near-military fortress, had inner walls and numerous fortresses within. At Fulgrim's command, soldiers took cover and fortified their positions, fighting off the seemingly endless waves of Skaven. The ratmen, for all their famed ranged weapons, were forced into close-quarters combat within the city.
In a battle of attrition, the Skaven were no match for the disciplined human defenders, especially the elite Ashen Legion. Moreover, many Skaven began looting and pillaging instead of focusing on the fight, allowing the defenders to repel several Pestilens assaults with ease.
The tide of battle seemed to be turning. Fulgrim personally led counterattacks, displaying flawless martial prowess and unyielding determination. Despite suffering heavy losses, Julius' cavalry continued to shield the army with steel and resolve.
Victory was within sight.
Then, a massive shadow descended upon the city.
Ka'bandha had entered the fray.
The Bloodthirster landed amidst the human ranks, effortlessly cleaving an entire phalanx in half with a single sweep of his axe. His next strike instantly killed a captain.
General Pedro, a gene-enhanced Phoenix Guard who had served Fulgrim for over a decade, courageously confronted Ka'bandha.
"It's a good day to die!"
Ka'bandha roared with laughter, gesturing for Pedro to attack. The brave Estalian charged, his blade moving faster than his battle cry.
Ka'bandha did only one thing: he unleashed a piercing roar. The chaotic shockwave covered a two-kilometer radius. Humans and Skaven alike clutched their ears in agony, screaming in torment. Only the stout-hearted dwarves could endure the Bloodthirster's roar.
The roar alone killed over 500 defenders and 2,000 Skaven, their heads exploding on the spot.
"Argh!" Pedro, closest to the source, clutched his ears in agony as black blood poured from his eyes, nose, and mouth. Stunned and defenseless, he stood no chance against Ka'bandha's axe, which effortlessly decapitated him.
From Lustria to Constantinople, Pedro had faithfully followed his Primarch, earning countless honors. Today, the Phoenix Guard fell in battle.
Ka'bandha prepared to continue his slaughter, but a golden light illuminated the city.
Pure white wings stretched toward the heavens. The golden image of Sanguinius enveloped Constantinople. The angel's presence dispelled Ka'bandha's roar and banished Khorne's influence. The Primarch of the Blood Angels looked at Ka'bandha with hatred: "You've come to die again, demon!"
Ka'bandha hesitated momentarily before laughing uproariously. "I came for you, angel. My master, the Skull Lord, never forgot you. I long to taste your blade. But what are you now? Where is your sword, you wretch? You had countless chances to join us!"
"My sword is Sanguinius' sword." Fulgrim stepped forward, interposing himself between Ka'bandha and Sanguinius' avatar. The Primarch glanced at the fallen Pedro, his blood soaking the ground. A faint twitch crossed Fulgrim's face. He didn't know how many of his forces he had lost in this war, but one thing was certain: he would have vengeance.
"And I will stand with you, brother," Sanguinius said, merging into the Sunfire Amulet around Fulgrim's neck. "Now is the time for us to fight together."
"With honor," Fulgrim replied, smiling faintly as he handed command to Pilazzo. Then, he strode forward.
An epic clash began over Constantinople.
Fulgrim unleashed the full extent of his strength and skill. Each of his attacks caused the skies to ripple and the earth to quake. A single strike from the Primarch could obliterate everything within a hundred-meter radius. Fully unleashed, Fulgrim's combat prowess was godlike. Thunder, whirlwinds, and fire engulfed him, forcing even the Skaven to flee from their battlefield.
Dazzling lightning streaked across the sky, white-hot sword trails swirling around Fulgrim. Golden brilliance rained down like a torrential waterfall, crashing to the earth like a comet.
This was the full power of the Emperor's son.
Facing him, Ka'bandha recognized a formidable foe. The Bloodthirster summoned his full strength, cloaking himself in crimson clouds and unleashing the imagery of Khorne's domain: brass citadels, skull-strewn mountains, and rivers of blood. His rage and bloodlust knew no bounds.
Ka'bandha uttered a single word: "Kill!"
Gold and crimson collided in a blinding explosion.
Within a three-kilometer radius, all structures, life, and air were reduced to ash.
The Hive Master, Typhus, observing the battle from a distance, could only watch the epic duel in awe. He desperately wished to attack Fulgrim while he was occupied, but he knew that only a Primarch could defeat another Primarch. Moreover, his forces were too few.
Frustrated, Typhus sent yet another request to Mortarion, urging him to bring the Death Guard and Nurgle demons to the battle. Typhus argued that this was the perfect opportunity. Without Fulgrim, Constantinople could not withstand the forces of Nurgle and the Death Guard.
Once again, Mortarion coldly refused. "I will not risk my last troops. I am millions of light-years from the Eye of Terror. I will not gamble with the Death Guard," Mortarion replied.
After dismissing his messenger, Mortarion continued watching the battle while exhaling mustard-colored fumes from his respirator. Muttering to himself as if to reassure his own caution, he said, "Not yet. The time isn't right. It's not the moment."
Pulling a plague censer from his robes, Mortarion immersed himself in the eternal decay and stagnant joy that brought him comfort. He imagined his father's approving smile after retrieving both Fulgrim and Sanguinius.
"It's not the time. Let them weaken each other first," he muttered.
Mortarion then began chanting Nurgle's sacred number to console himself: "Yes, my true father, I know what I must say. Seven is the answer."
"7777777."
"77777777777."
"7777777777777777777."
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