|Anthonio – Praetorate of the Second Legion, Void Stalkers|
I was nervous. I didn't show it, but I was. Even with everything we had been through, I could see that the others felt the same way I did. Just like me, they would never show it. We are the Sword of the Imperium. We are the builders of the broken. We are Void Stalkers. We would not sully our father's name by showing weakness.
However, the feeling that made my two hearts beat faster than their optimum speed remained.
We were eager to meet our Father. However, what if he finds us unworthy? No. He said he is proud of us, and that is enough.
We had seen what the other Legions did when they had their Primarchs with them.
When those legions received their Primarchs, we watched as they changed for the better. The 6th Legion was still a band of savages, but Lady Lofn Russ shaped them into disciplined warriors who could follow orders, unlike before.
However, it was the 16th Legion that changed the most. They had been led by their Primarch since their inception. They became a proper Legion when the Emperor found her, Lady Hathor Lupercal. The already tight-knit Legion became even more cohesive in the presence of its Primarch. Their movements became fluid, and their coordination reached perfection.
And now, we would finally meet ours as well.
"Praetorate! The Gateway is responding! Our Father is accepting our probing, and we are ready to activate!"
"Then we shall depart! Activate the Gateway!"
I watched from the bridge as the massive construct in front of us spun, an energy arc exploding from within before stabilizing into a portal. With one command, the three main ships of the Void Stalkers flew through the gateway.
According to our Father's knowledge, we did not even need to raise the protective barriers required for entering the Warp. We trust our father and follow his instructions. We watched as we passed through the gateway; I saw a kaleidoscope of colors for a few seconds before we arrived in an unknown region.
"Status!"
I barked the order and watched as one of the Tech Marines summoned a hologram.
"We are somewhere in what the people of the Imperium call the Ghoul Stars. Supposedly, this area is known for horror and despair. There are only around 200 colonies in this sector, according to old data from the Age of Exploration."
"I see. Log the area and open a communi—"
"Sir! Someone is hailing us!"
"Put them through."
"Yes, sir! It is on."
The hologram lit up, and I held back a gasp at the sight. An unbelievably handsome man appeared before us. His golden hair flowed down his shoulders, and his golden eyes held a kindness and sternness I had missed for a long time.
This man was our Father.
"Welcome to Eternius, my sons. Please follow the directions we are sending."
He looked at us with a bright smile and continued.
"And welcome home."
Home. Such a simple but powerful word. We were home. This was our home.
== Line Break ==
One hundred landers descended upon the planet. When the doors opened, I was the first to leave the ship. The first sight I saw was him, our Father, wearing simple white clothes that failed to hide his majesty.
He looked as if he were glowing under the soft sunlight.
I snapped out of my thoughts, ensuring I did not make a fool of myself. I slammed my fist into my chest, and the others followed. We knelt as one and shouted.
"WE ARE VOID STALKERS! WE ARE YOURS TO COMMAND, LORD PRIMARCH! COMMAND US!"
I heard heavy footsteps walking toward us. I felt my Father's hand on my shoulder and heard him speak.
"Stand up, all of you."
We stood up and saw our Father up close. He looked at us with a pride that made us stand taller.
"I am proud of you. You have worked so hard, and now this is your reward. Come, my sons. Come and enjoy your homeland."
We followed him and immediately noticed four women waiting for our Primarch. I could feel their unique auras, a familiar aura, like that of our Father and the other Primarchs. These four women were also Primarchs.
"You noticed them, huh?" he asked.
"Yes, My Primarch. They are Primarchs, just like you."
"They are my sisters. Treat them like you treat me, okay? They are people dear to me."
"Of course, my Lord."
"Good. Come on. We shall have a feast!"
== Line Break ==
[Vanessa Nur-Kalles – Documentarist Remembrancer]
I looked out the window with a smile. This planet, Helum, has now officially become the homeworld of the Second Legion, the Void Stalkers, and my home from now on. It is a beautiful planet with incredibly advanced technology.
I can see all kinds of machinery at work, and even from here, I can see a massive project underway in the void. By the look of it, the people of Helum want to create a ring around the planet. I don't understand the technical reasoning, but if I had to bet, I'd put all my money on it being a defensive structure.
I've been exploring the main city, Thessan City, and speaking with the residents. One thing remains consistent: the people here are former slaves of a Xeno race, and Lord Theodore rescued them, nurtured them, and built his piece of an empire here.
However, what truly blows my mind is the fact that Lord Theodore was able to transform this entire star system into something new in just three years. I know he received help from his sisters and his fellow Primarchs, but according to Lady Aurelia, Lord Theodore was the one who created the grand plan, commanded the fleet, and held them all together.
It is true that the others helped him build the things people need, but he is the one who ties it all together.
That makes him even more admirable than I initially thought. I still remember the first time I met him. If his 'Sons' are all handsome demigods, he is truly a being with a face that would make the gods envious.
I should not say those things, but those words are the only fitting thing for them.
When I first met him, it was as if his entire being was made of light, shining warmly upon me. His very existence makes me feel safe and welcomed. It is a feeling I have never experienced before.
"Oi, Nessa! Are you in there?!"
I snapped from my thoughts and opened the private security system. When I accessed the door camera, I saw Niu standing there. I opened the door to let her walk inside.
"Niu, what do you need?"
"Have you not heard?!"
"What? Hear what?"
"There will be a festival in a few hours, and I hear Lord Primarch Theodore will be attending the festival and even performing!"
"What?!"
Now that I think about it, I noticed construction happening near the park earlier.
"Yeah. Take a bath and pick out something nice. We don't want to look like beggars, right?"
"I know more fashion than you, Niu."
"We will see about that."
== Line Break ==
The festival is going strong. I can see all kinds of people here. I can see the Astartes, outside of their armor, walking around, talking with mere mortals, laughing with them. I can see some of them even picking up children, letting their bodies be a playground for the innocent.
I wrote down everything I saw and smiled. Following the Void Stalkers is truly a blessing.
I have seen other Astartes. They often see themselves as above mere mortals, and the situation would be very different if they were here instead of the Void Stalkers. I don't think there would be conflict, but it would be a colder place, lacking this warm atmosphere.
As I wrote the last line, I heard people shouting to my left. I turned around and saw Lord Primarch Theodore walking toward the podium in beautiful white and green clothes that enhanced his natural beauty.
I could see the other Primarchs sitting in front of the podium with eager faces. Lady Aurelia was the loudest in her cheering, while Lady Petra kept her usual expression, though I could see she looked softer than usual.
I watched as Lord Theodore took a seat at a giant piano, sized specifically for a Primarch, and began to play. The notes were simple at first, but played so well they created a beautiful melody. I could feel the people around me enjoying the music, but the mood shifted when I heard the most beautiful voice I have ever heard.
"Sjool paran moy'hi. Ar jar'ruk noy' sin"
I didn't know the language, but for some reason, I could feel the emotion behind the words. It was a song about salvation, about a person seeking redemption after a long walk through the desert.
"Dha gya'left tal fooyryuu. Malich fuide aslaat erensboiye"
I could see it in my mind. A young man walking through a desert, alone and lonely. He continued his journey, holding onto a flicker of hope that salvation would one day grace him.
"Yool migietta ya krokran no hai khai'meri kara"
As his hope started to fade, a light appeared in the distance. That light turned into a beautiful woman who followed him on his journey. The young man had found his salvation. His lonely heart was lonely no more.
"Yool ta tiera hareiku hare. Falan leiu hoo"
The two of them then explored the stars. They traveled the galaxy, rescuing others and offering the same salvation the woman had given him. Without even knowing it, the young man became the very thing he had once searched for.
"Yool migietta ya krokran no hai yama. Tei khai'meri kara. Dhai iirah jyou."
As the music slowed, I could see him rescuing his family. One from a world of endless darkness, one from a world of corrupt authority, one from a world of torture at the hands of cultists, and finally, one from a world of savage slavers.
As the last note played, I could see them standing together, happy, with massive grins on their faces. Each of them had found salvation and a happy ending.
The silence lasted for a few seconds before we all stood up, giving the loudest applause we could. Lord Theodore has given me inspiration, inspiration to create a piece worthy of him. That will be my life's goal. I will create a work worthy of his name.
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