A Bloody Rose Story

 Locked in a cell bleeding and tormented beyond what even the imperium would have done to me, I lay awake pondering on what my captures had said… for they were looking for something, something that their dark master whispered in their ears! But what to do, for I lay attached to a bed of nails, with my senses forcibly heightened… but because of it I can't help but hear it… they say their former Brothern the Eldar are on a mission for the future… to change what is or should be. Perhaps their warlocks have seen something… something beyond what their new god has shown… 

Foolish! The first God, you had betrayed you! And now you worship another! Do you really think the same thing won't repeat itself in time? And when it does, do they truly think what is left of their dying race will be able to save itself yet again? HAHA! I laugh at their foolishness! Even as the blood escaped this dry lips of mine. OH! Emperor, show you light to these fools! Let them burn in its brightness! For they wish to change your design for our race! 

The future of man is absolute! All space will be purged by our emperor! And nothing can ever change that! 

[are you so sure?] said a voice covered in birds 

[Who's there!] 

[change is inevitable! For no one can escape its grasp! Not even me! For I embody its very meaning!] replied a voice of birds 

As the sounds of chirping echo in the prisoner's mind, the world around his eyes changes to that of darken words that overshadow two head demons! 

[by the emperor's will! Who are you!] 

[shh… silence deer instrument! I bear gifts to fix your missing limbs!] replied a voice of birds 

[Oh! You bring "gifts" and what makes you think I'll accept them? And let's say I did. what then would I have to pay for such a gift? Or better yet, how will it help me escape these Drukhari?] 

[the answer is simple… do you not wish to change your fate… aren't you tired of it all? If so, simply open your true eyes! And welcome me in! Or do you wish to stay as you are? To die a death worse than a dog death?] replied the voice of many birds 

[I…] 

[yes?] replied the voice 

[I… choose…to die by the emperor's will! So, be gone demon! For if the Drukhari couldn't break me, certainly you will not either!] 

[we shall see...] replied the voice of birds and ravens as it slowly dissipated into nothing 

As the voice disappears, the Drukhari master returns to a cellular room filled with complex machinery and blood! 

[well… well… aren't you a lively one today! I wonder what we should do next!] replied the master as the prisoner gave an unwavering gaze 

[Yes! Yes! I love that look! Even when you are reduced to such a state you still hold onto that fire of yours!] said the master as he turned on multiple torture equipment 

[Oh! How it, just makes me wish to know where your limit is! Say, why don't we find out together? Former Primaris!] continued the master with a laughing smile. 

→→→→→→→→→→→→ Exert in a dream 

As heavy rain crashed on an old train, the muddy waters revealed hideous monsters from across the stars! And as they slammed their dirty hands across steel walls, they howled their screams! As soft light given from the edges of the train, did little to show their ugly side, for the sounds told more than sight could ever tell. For as they crawled like bugs while tasting and prodding with their jaws, their lord watched over them in the shadows of red flare light! 

With eyes always searching… always thinking… and as it thought the sound of thunder erupted the night sky! Bring about haunting dreams of a man! Dreams that caused Layla to burst her eyes awake in hypertension! 

[You, ok there? Layla] said Molly with concern as she stared down at Layla's scared expression from her lap 

{... Ya… it was just a bad dream is all… anyway what happened?} questioned Layla as she just realized she was using Molly's lap as a pillow, causing a slight blush to appear on her otherwise white face. 

[do you not remember?] replied Molly 

{I remember we made it to the second cart… then nothing} replied Layla 

[Oh! Good! Then you remember the jest of it! The only part you forgot was that shortly after entering the cart, you suddenly collapsed!] replied Molly 

[Is that way my head feels like I was smacked with a brick?] replied Layla 

[I mean you did fall pretty hard I guess… but it's more likely that you overused your witch abilities…which reminds me! Why didn't you tell us you were a witch?] replied Molly 

{calm down! One, I just found out after fighting those heretics… and two, you didn't ask.} replied Layla with a sly smile 

[Wait! so, you're telling me that all this time, you didn't know that you were a witch?] replied Molly with mouth gaped 

[Yup! And to be honest because of that… I'm not sure why I'm still here with you girls…} replied Layla 

[what do you mean?] replied Molly 

{umm… you don't know?} replied Layal 

[know what?] replied Molly 

{that once a witch or psyker is found, they are to be sent for 'ranking'} replied Layla 

[ranking… ranking for what?] replied Molly 

{ranking… in how to be used or discarded…} replied Layla worriedly 

[well, that wasn't encrypted at all! What the hell do you mean? Layla!] screamed Molly as Layla was in deep thought 

While ignoring Molly's outburst and the noise coming from outside, Layla thought to herself: 

{that's right! Why did they not send me off? They're not that merciful to let a security liability stay behind! After all, doesn't the imperium fear witches the most because of how easy it is to fall into chaos? I don't know what the Canoness is thinking but I just hope the inquisition doesn't show up when they inevitably find out, if they don't know already…} 

But as Layla thought about the horrors of the inquisition, Molly quickly shook Layla to bring her back to reality and said: 

[Layla! Snap out of it! Those tyranids or whatever you said they were, are doing something!] yelled Molly 

{ugh? What do you mean? I hear nothing…} replied Layla 

[Ya that's what I'm worried about! Why did the noise suddenly stop?] replied Molly as she griped the flamer in her hands tightly 

{well first off Molly, swap the fuel for your flamer to something more potent! These bugs are probably now covered in mud and muck, so if you don't want to be overrun by their sheer numbers, make sure you get something that can roast them quickly.} replied Layla, as she searched through the pile of weapons in the cart. 

[hey umm... Layla, I know you told me to swap out the fuel but, umm. What if I use this instead?] replied Molly 

{is that a Cognis Flamer! Why is that here?} replied Layla in shock 

[Cognis flamer? Is it better than the standard issue flamer?] replied Molly 

{umm... That… I'm unsure… but I know one thing… you better be nice to it! The weapon spirit within won't hesitate to burn you alone with the bugs!} replied Layla seriously 

[Ha, there you go again believing in such nonsense!] replied Molly as the flamer in her hands suddenly jolted a flame! 

[Ok! I will shut up now!] said Molly apologetically as she carefully wipes the flamer with a cloth 

With the flamer calming down, Layla rejected weapon after weapon, from heavy flamers to heavy bolters to simple handguns. Until she saw it! The blade of admonition! With admiration Layla lifted up the sword, to see her own reflection in its mirror-like polish. And what she saw in that reflection was of pure Beauty! The beauty of her soul! Untainted and uncorrupted in pure serenity was the color! 

{this… could this be the real thing! Is it not a mere imitation of the true blade? For if it is not… then why is it here?} said Layla out loud 

But as she was busy admiring a blade, the Tyranids could no longer wait! With a terror-like roar, the sounds of trees could be heard falling over! While many thud-like noises sounded in unison! Like a drum! The bugs slammed their beat into the night sky to compete with the heavy rain that shared their sky with the thunder! As the earth shook like a feeble leaf in the wind, out of the mud came out a creature that should not be! 

Hearing and feeling the sudden change happening outside, Layla rushed to a nearby window to see nothing! Worried Layla rushed to a nearby camera and gestured to Mary to send out another flare! But as that light lit up the night, only horror was plastered on the girl's face! 

For as that light shined onto the Tyranids, they stood there in silence as an ancient bug showed itself! 

{It can't be! How can they have one of those already!} said Layla out loud 

[you know what that thing is?] said Molly as she turned to face Layla in shock 

While nodding her head slowly, Layla said with extreme caution: 

{It is a Haruspex!} 

Realizing what the foe before her was, Layla quickly sheaths her new sword and picks up a bolter meltagun! 

[oh! Are you going to kill it with that gun?] asked Molly 

{oh! Hell no! Who do you think I am? The son of the emperor! This is for melting us free from the third cart!} replied Layla 

[wait… So, we're not going to try to kill it!] questioned Molly 

{it's not about trying! It is not possible! If it was alone then maybe, but with so many bugs out there… there's just not enough time!} 

{just cover me!} yelled Layla as she stormed outside into the wind and rain