A Bloody Rose Story

{no pictures} 

 As the sun's warmth brought relief, and the clearing sky showed renewed hope, A train covered in sparks and holes came roaring through the debris of a fallen eagle, to the sight of a black fortress… a fortress where its spiraling towers were broken… and her guns lay eerie silent… with burning tanks and abandon trenches… where bodies were nowhere to be seen… alive or dead! 

And while the train came to port… at a gate… a gate that reminded Layla of the eternity gate. Wonderful and big, with a mural of the emperor! With an armor of gold and a halo to match! With a burning sword and foot over a pile of corpses! With painted seals and large metal sigils, with cherub children and color-changing metals! The gate looked to be much more expensive than the rest of the fortress! At least Layla thought so, as she stared at its glory! 

So beautiful is the gate, that even the blood stains and the burning husk that lay just behind those doors, didn't tarnish its shocking sight! But even with its beauty, it could not cover the scene of death that now haunts those doors! 

{what happened here?} question Layla to herself as she stared out from the open cart door… 

Smoke and blood… Abandon weapons and burning holdouts… organs and bones… a graveyard of the honor guard! And while the girls soaked up the burning pyres, Mary suddenly screamed in annoyance as her monitor exploded with error signs! 

{what's wrong?} called out Layla 

[Dammit! The train system is down! Ugh! Hopefully, it only needs to be rebooted! Or we might be walking to town… sigh, I think the damn bounty hunters cut into something they shouldn't have! It looks like we might be here a while…] replied Mary dishearten 

{umm… is it fixable?} asked Layla 

[honestly… I don't know… and the only way to find out is to examine the train! And without the system's help… this could take a while…] replied Mary annoyed 

{well, it could be worse… At least the bounty hunters are gone…} replied Layla 

[true and so are the Eldar…Hehe] replied Mary softly 

{umm… speaking of the Eldar… I wonder why they helped us…} replied Layla 

[Your… asking me that? I thought you knew… since you're the one who seems to know…] replied Mary but suddenly stopped mid-sentence, as she heard Molly banging on the door. 

[will you guys open the door already! It's creepy out here!] yelled Molly as she banged on the door, using the butt of the only functioning auto gun remaining from the second cart. 

With a sigh of relief that Molly was still alive, Layla approached the door when she finally noticed the demon's heart on the floor! But while she bends down to pick it up, a small hand formed of pure energy pops out of her left eye! 

Taken back by the sudden event, Layla was about to ask Miss A why she wanted the demon heart; when the banging outside suddenly turned into gunfire! With the sudden gunfire, Layla ignored Miss A, as Miss A grabbed the heart for herself! With the heart warped into her eye, Layla tore open the door, when a rifle shot wisped past her ear! And hit an odd-looking goat beast-men right in the head! 

With a head pop, Layla didn't bother to look where the shot came from, for she knew it came from Mary! As the smoke left Mary's gun she continued to play the lookout, as Layla stared at Molly up and down… and noticed her armor was worse for wear and had her arm in a sling… 

It's about time you guys open the door! I already had to kill a few of these… things!] called out Molly, as she pulled her gun out of the mouth of a goat. 

{your hurt…} said Layla suddenly while keeping her eyes peeled… 

[Oh! This… it's nothing… I can still fight!] replied Molly with a smile, as she backed Layla with her auto gun while scanning the area. 

{really?} replied Layla as she grabbed her injured hand! 

[ow! What was that for!] yelled Back Molly in an annoyance 

{Yeah… you're not fighting much with that hand… and before you say anything thing…how can you be our shield bearer… when your shield arm is out of commission?] asked Layla while staring into Molly's eyes. 

Shying away from Layla's beautiful eyes, Molly said nervously: 

[who needs a shield to be a shield bearer anyway? Look! I can just use my body to be your shield so…] 

{MOLLY!} screamed Layla as she pushed her away. 

With a clang, Layla blocked a beast-man's thrown axe! And return fire with her sidearm, while Mary's riffle shots ripped through the roaring beastmen chest! 

{Great! Now it's beastmen! What else lives on this damn planet!} screamed Layla to no one in particular. 

[well... At least it was only two of them…] replied Molly 

{sigh, and that's what worries me… there never only two of them...} replied Layla with eye squints. 

[well either way… do you think they're the cause of this fortress… looking the way it does?] replied Molly 

{No… I doubt that… they're way too weak of a species… to be honest, I'm more shocked the imperium let any of them still live on this planet…} replied Layla 

{well, them being here tells me one thing…} continued Layla 

[??? what do you mean?] replied Molly 

{It means this world is either a class A or G world…but then…} replied Layla 

[But then?] pressed Molly 

{its… nothing… anyway… what about the second cart?} replied Layla while thinking: 

{But if this planet is registered as an A-class world... then why does the imperium want to change this world into an ETA world…} 

Not noticing Layla's deeper thoughts, Molly said: 

[It… pretty bad…] replied Molly with a sigh. 

[how bad?] replied Mary who just finished reactivating the auto turret. 

[All the normal weaponry and ammo were destroyed by the bounty hunters'… only the fuel containers for the Flamers survived… Even the extra armor suits that we have are in bad shape…] replied Molly 

{umm… but is the cart itself still useable?} interjected Layla 

[it should be… why?] replied Molly confused 

{what do you mean why? So long as the cart is usable, we can always restock on the essentials! Look at where we are!} said Layla as she pointed to the fortress. 

But while the girls calculated their next moves, Papa Nurgle was having a fit! 

Nurgle short POV: 

Deep within the realm of chaos… within a golden green fog... lay Papa Nurgle as he flipped over his poisonous soup! 

[grrrrr…. Those damnable brothers of mine! ...err…. Always getting in my way! Damn you! Khorne! Don't you dare think for a second this is over! SHE WILL BE MINE!] 

Now, seeing Nurgle flipping his cauldron over in rage, Isha seized this moment in her blackened chains and spiked cage, to reach out from her diseased bonds and quickly sent out cures for various diseases the 'all father' had sent out into the galaxy! 

[ugh! {insert fat gurgling noises} Mortarion! Your kindred have failed me again! I grow tired of your consent failures! Now! Either bring her to me alive or I'm going to test out my new diseases on your chapter brothers!] threaten Nurgle 

Fearing his patron god, Mortarion swore his brothers would not fail again! And with his oath, he sent out his best brothers… terminators with huge power scythes! And while he watched them leave… he envied them… for he couldn't leave the warp! At least not yet… 

But while Mortarion watched from the safety of Barbarus, A general of 'she who thirsts", Synessa was throwing her own fit similar to Nurgle! 

Bounty hunters' POV: 

[the mistress is not pleased with your results…] said the centurion demon through a portal mirror. 

But while two beautiful dancing demons dressed in purple, circle its circumference, laughing all the while; Nova replied: 

[I beg understanding my lord! We can still finish the mission!] 

[oh! And how? You lost two ships that we accrued for you in great difficulty and sacrifice! And you repay us by losing them on your very first mission! All this effort and nothing to show for it!] 

[it's not our fault! If the Eldar didn't…] 

[Enough! The mistress does not tolerate excuses! That being said…You're lucky that the planet defenders are busy dealing with the bugs and mutants, if it wasn't for them, you wouldn't even be given this next opportunity!] 

Hearing the word opportunity, filled Nova with exuberates, and excitedly waited for the demon's next words. 

[you are to begin a ritual to allow our mistress to arrive on the planet's surface! Even a simple human like yourself should be able to pull this off…] continued the demon 

[It will be done, my Lord! We will not fail her a second time!] replied Nova 

[for your shake… you better…] said the demon. 

But while the portal began to turn to static, the demon turned around and said: 

[Oh! Yes… The mistress would like to give you a warning… it seems the other chaos gods have found out about our prey, and wish it for themselves… we can't let that happen… so lord Slaanesh has sent his favorite to join our mistress in this campaign! You do know what that means right…human...] 

Knowing who the master's favorite was… Scared Nova to her core! With great difficulty, she was barely able to utter the words: 

[yes…] 

Meanwhile Khorne Short POV: 

On a throne that drowned in skulls and sank in dirty blood! With a chaliced filled with never-ending cruor, Khorne looked at his hound champion in boredom! 

[sigh, so many wars and battles raging in the galaxy… yet my pet has yet to show me… the revelation I desire… maybe I should send him…] thought Khorne with a devilish smile as he looked over the demons in his court… 

Meanwhile in the courtroom of Tezeentch; a short POV 

[Oh! So, that the future that my brothers have chosen… Hehe! Good! Very good! Finally, Something different!] yelled Tezeentch with overwhelming glee. 

But as his smile died, he turned to his Primaris and said: 

[my loyal servant… you are to continue to observe and relay everything to me! And though my brothers seem to have their plans... Your job is to maintain distances for now… but don't worry… your time will come… As for the gnats in the hole… well… they pose no threat… their campaign is destined to fail! At least in anything meaningful…But just in case… I'll be sending you a few Arcanites in preparation for the show…Hehe!] 

Meanwhile in a Tyranid reclamation pool: short POV 

In the void… was his conscious… and in that void, he felt a pull… a calling… and with his weak mind… his eyes opened to the vile stare of the hive mind! A pool of conscious birth from the countless worlds consumed since the Tyranid's inception! And in that pool of consciousness, one mind stands above the rest! 

One who holds it all together… though they don't call it a god… its unquenchable need to devour… is much like a god… and its burning mind zeroed in on the poor mind of the once Necrolord… studying it… prodding it… and a thought came to it, as it went through its child-feeble memories… 

When the blackness that surrounded the Necrolord faded into a greyish light, it saw a room filled with flowing blood and rotting corpses… as black blood rained from everywhere, the Necrolord felt so small… so weak… to the great mind before him… A great mind who held the mothers in their places across the stars! He could see them in the body of the great one! The countless star systems! 

And in that star map, the Necrolord saw the mother in charge of his system… and she was beautiful and strong! With a curvy figure and a fleet that numbered beyond the count of sands! Oh, how he longed to join his mind with her… 

Sensing the Necrolord mind through the hive, the queen hissed as she latched onto his mind! With a scream, the Necrolord felt his body twist and bend until he woke up in a crater! 

[were… I'm I…] said the Necrolord 

As he shook his head in confusion, he looked up to the sight of several Tyranids surrounding his crater! But just as he was wondering what was going on, he felt a sting in his mind say: 

[FINISH THE WORK! THE HIVE IS ALMOST READY!] 

Instinctively, the Necrolord recognized that voice to be his queen to serve… and while that voice left, the Necrolord, noticed that his body was not that of a Necrolord but of a Necrotyrant! 

[But how???] questioned the Necrotyrant, as he looked around the empty reclamation pool in utter confusion! 

But as he questioned the impossibility of his rebirth, within the shadow of the warp, stared one glowing eye! 

Meanwhile back in the fortress 

[so, what's the plan?] asked Molly 

{well first we need to patch up the holes in the train... Then…} 

[then what?] pressed Mary 

{well, we need to resupply our home here, and more importantly, we need to get this huge gate open! Get comfy girls! It looks like we're going to be here for a while…} replied Layla as she stared at the black walls of the fortress. 

[But do you think we have enough time for that?] replied Molly with a frown 

{we will just have to make the time… because if we don't… forget about failing this 'training' we'll be lucky to get out of this alive!} replied Layla with a shrug 

Hearing Layla's words, Molly nodded her head, as she looked down at the back of Layla… and saw her bleeding trail! 

[Layla your leg!] said Molly with concern 

{It's fine… my 'witch powers' are healing it…} replied Layla as she studied the outside of the train. 

{you know Mary…} continued Layla abruptly 

[yeah?] replied Mary with a head tilt. 

{do you think you can patch up the train, while I'll go check out the fortress?} asked Layla to the girl's confusion 

[wait! Hold up… what do you mean 'you'll go check out the fortress'? You're not seriously thinking of going it alone! Do you think we'll just let you? Just like that!] interjected Molly 

[what choice do we have? Your arm is badly injured and we don't have time to waste…and Mary is the only one who knows how to even begin to fix this mess, Or do you have any alternative solution!] replied Layla with a head shake. 

Knowing she didn't have a way to refute, but still not liking the current situation, Molly replied childishly: 

[Alright I get why Mary has to stay… but why do I have to? I can still fight! And you're just as injured as me, if not more so! At least I can still walk normally!] 

{true you can, but someone has to stay out here to help protect Mary! Look! I know what you're trying to say, but right now the train systems are down, which means the turret must be manned manually! 

Do you still not get it? I'm going into an allied fortress! So, I couldn't possibly be anymore safer, but what about out here in the middle of the battlefield? Sigh, even you should be able to understand where I'm getting at!} replied Layla with her hand on Molly's shoulder. 

With reluctance in her eyes, Molly was about to back off when a thought came to her: 

[Wait… you're right this is an allied fortress! So, why hasn't anyone come out to meet us yet?] 

[well either they abandon this position or…] said Mary with a pause 

[Or what?] pressed Molly 

{their all dead…} said Layla interjected-lye 

[Dammit! That is even more of a reason to not go in by yourself!] yelled Molly with a bloody fist. 

{sigh, Molly! Someone has to take the chance! How about this I will just scout the area! And if I find it impossible to do it myself, I'll come back here and brainstorm a new plan… how's that sound?} replied Layla 

[ughhhh…find! But if anything happens in there… promise us that you'll at least call for us…] said Molly as she couldn't handle the look of determination from Layla anymore. 

And so, with a smile, Layla replied: 

{of course! I mean our radios still work…Hehe…} 

Hearing that annoying Hehe, Mary punched Layla in the arm and said while hiding her eyes: 

[You better hurry and get that door open… forget anything else if you have to!] 

{relax girls… you worry too much… I'm sure I'll have plenty of time to open the gate and grab some much-needed supplies but speaking of supplies… Molly why don't you go looting the battlefield for anything useful… even if the only thing you can find are Lasguns…} 

With a plan in motion, Mary and Molly went to work, As Layla walked through the trail of glory! A road paved with blood and organ matter! Bones and skeletons… and burning hot boxes littered Layla's sight for a good distance… 

With a hard sigh at the scene of death, Layla stopped for a second as she spotted a working Lasgun! And seeing it sparked her inner nerd! 

{so, this is a Lasgun… that I always read about… tsk… the book always describes it as some amazing weapon… but it's just some cheap weak weapon, that imperium gives out like candy to the honor guards…} said Layla to herself as she was playing with the weapon. 

{well, I guess it's better than nothing… after all, I'm not sure I'll even find bolter rounds for my gun here…sigh… poor bastards can't even get proper equipment…} continued Layla as she continued to stare at the mountain fortress. 

But as she continued on her lonely walk, a faint camera caught her trail! With static and in black and white, the survivors looked through the camera and said to each other: 

[No! We have to warn them! The fortress isn't safe!] 

[Aaaand hhhhooow are weeee going to do that? Steve! Were locked in here ourselves!] said Oliver with an eye twitch 

[Maybe they can help us! Right Dylan…] asked Steve 

[Yeah… they can help us escape…] replied Dylan with a sly smirk. 

[Dylan don't go getting Oliver's hopes up like that! Great… now his dancing… sigh, the poor man has already nearly lost his mind with the constant battles…] replied Steve with a facepalm 

[Steve…] replied Dylan with a pause. 

[what…] replied Steve annoyed 

[do you know how to drive a train…] asked Dylan as he stared at the screen. 

[depends on what type of train but more or less… why?] replied Steve 

[because… I think I found our way out!] replied Dylan with a smile. 

Meanwhile Eldar short POV: 

[should we help them farseer? We could just blow open the gate for them…] 

[patient's sister… this is yet another trial she must go through… for what lays ahead will teach her more about herself than any other time… Now, that's enough about her!] replied the farseer as a hateful roar echoed throughout the rails! 

[For we have a mad dog to stall!] continued the farseer as he stared down the champion of Khorne.