Chapter 937 - 936: Fulgrim: Nareth Actually Broke Through the Silver Hand's Defense Head-On

Callinedes System, aboard the Pride of the Emperor.

Fulgrim walked through the Phoenix Gate, approaching his Lord Commanders.

Ignoring their counsel, he gave his orders directly.

"Eidolon will accompany me to the Fist of Iron."

"Akurduana and Vespasian, you will each lead forces to land on the third and fourth planets and cleanse the Ork invaders."

Akurduana was taken aback. Fulgrim turned to him.

"The blade of the Palatine should not be bound by the duties of the court. You should step onto the battlefield and decapitate the mightiest Ork warriors."

Akurduana nodded, leaving with Solomon Demeter.

Walking down the avenue, his gaze swept over the pillars.

"Solomon, I need you to watch our father and Vespasian."

Solomon faltered for a moment, then resumed walking. "I understand."

Fulgrim walked towards the black iron doors of the Fist of Iron's forge hall. His flowing cloak billowed in the heat from the furnaces.

He paused for a moment at the threshold.

He knew that by stepping inside, he might be taking the path that would separate him from his closest brother. But the Warmaster's cause would succeed, and he could not miss the chance to achieve perfection.

He had promised the Warmaster he could deliver Ferrus without firing a single shot.

He and Ferrus shared a history, a brotherhood that not even the forge could melt. The Gorgon of Medusa could not possibly fail to see the justice of the Warmaster's cause.

The veil of lies had been lifted. It was his duty to expose their father's deception to his beloved Ferrus.

Fulgrim touched the Fireblade at his waist. The absence of the Blade of the Laer felt wrong.

But he needed to wear the weapon forged by Ferrus in the Urals forge. Not carrying the Fireblade would displease Ferrus.

His boots struck the deck. He looked at the Forgebreaker, the warhammer he had forged for Ferrus.

He opened his arms. "Ferrus, it is good to see you again."

Ferrus embraced him, his silver hands clapping him on the back.

He stepped back, puzzled. "What brings you to the Callinides system? Is our campaign proceeding too slowly?"

"No! The Warmaster is proud of your speed." Horus had said no such thing, but Fulgrim, skilled in diplomacy, knew that proper flattery would serve him well.

"Did you hear that?" Ferrus raised his silver hand. "The Warmaster has brought us glory!"

"Glory to the Iron Hands!"

The Primarch's Equerry, Gabriel Santor, raised his fist. The Morlock Terminators roared in response: "Glory to the Iron Hands!"

Ferrus's silver hand fell, clapping Fulgrim on the shoulder.

"Brother, besides bringing glory, what else have you brought?"

"The truth." Fulgrim said.

"It concerns the future of the Great Crusade."

The air grew heavy. Even the forges seemed to cool.

Ferrus said, gravely, "Let us speak in my forge."

The two Primarchs walked side-by-side into Ferrus's private domain. Unlike the palaces of other Primarchs, Ferrus's was a forge.

The gleaming walls were forged from smooth black basalt, hung with weapons, armor, and tools shaped by his silver hands.

Fulgrim looked at a flame-banner hanging beside a masterfully crafted pistol.

Its barrel was carved with a roaring dragon, its body of mixed brass and silver the finest craftsmanship Fulgrim had ever seen.

It was more a work of art than a weapon.

"Before Vulkan led his forces into the Acidus, he visited this place and said: 'This is a wondrous place, whose grandeur can only be described in the ancient tongue.'" Ferrus's voice carried a rare uplift.

"I forged this pistol for him."

"Then why is it still here?" Fulgrim asked, puzzled.

Ferrus spread his silver hands. "He prefers to work metal. He does not trust anything that has not been struck with a hammer and baked in a forge."

"He said he admires the way Nareth forges his weapons with golden flame."

Ferrus walked to the center of the forge, where a massive anvil of black iron stood.

"I forged the best armor for Nareth. I gave you my finest weapon, my best work."

He looked at the Fireblade at Fulgrim's waist. "Now, tell me, what is this about the future of the Great Crusade?"

"When did you last see our father? I mean, in person."

"A long time ago. Fifty-two years." Ferrus's silver eyes shifted.

"Why do you ask?"

Fulgrim walked to the anvil. "The last time I saw Him was at Ullanor, at the Warmaster's coronation."

"He told us that He believed the time had come to entrust the Great Crusade to His sons. He would return to Terra to complete a greater task."

"I wept."

"It was a great victory." Ferrus nodded, sadly.

"I was fighting in the Kailos Nebula at the time and could not attend personally. It is my only regret."

"I was never able to say goodbye properly."

"That was the second most heartbreaking moment of my life." Fulgrim's voice was choked with emotion.

Ferrus stepped towards him, his silver eyes filled with concern.

"You said that was the second most heartbreaking. What was worse?"

"Of course, it was learning that our father had betrayed us, abandoned us, to ascend to godhood alone." Fulgrim's voice was filled with anger.

"Fulgrim!" Ferrus shouted.

"Have you gone mad? Betray us? Ascend to godhood?"

"Do you know what you're saying?"

"Of course I do." Fulgrim walked to face Ferrus.

"Horus showed me the truth. He is spreading the worship of Himself."

"He lied to all of us."

"We are merely His tools for conquering the galaxy and ascending to godhood!"

Fulgrim revealed his purpose, then laughed with ecstatic relief.

Ferrus pushed his brother away. "All I see is betrayal."

"My brother." Fulgrim pleaded.

"The Mechanicum has pledged to support the Warmaster. Many of our brothers have done the same. War is coming. Fire will sweep the galaxy."

"When the war ends, those who have chosen the wrong side will receive no mercy."

"Ferrus, for the sake of our brotherhood, I ask you to join me and the Warmaster!"

"Brotherhood?" Ferrus roared.

"When you decided to become a traitor, there was no longer any brotherhood between us!"

Ferrus roared, raising the Forgebreaker. Fulgrim parried the blow with his sword.

"We swore a brotherhood of honor. I have not lied to you."

"I know you haven't. That is why you must die." Ferrus said, with sorrow.

The two weapons roared, turning against their creators.

The forge was filled with explosions. The anvil hummed, trembling.

Fulgrim leaped, his burning sword tracing an arc of flame.

Ferrus raised his warhammer to meet it. Fulgrim's blade slid down the hammer's haft, stabbing at Ferrus's face.

"You once challenged me to a duel. I refused."

"Now, it is time for you to learn that I am the more perfect one."

'Akurduana, you will see. Nareth defeated Ferrus. So can I.'

The burning blade scored Ferrus's cheek, blackening his skin.

He was briefly blinded, staggering back. Fulgrim followed, his left fist raining blows on Ferrus's face.

His right blade arced, aimed at Ferrus's throat.

Ferrus's silver left hand rose, catching the descending blade.

The force numbed Fulgrim's arm. He wrenched the blade.

But the silver hand held it fast. It rippled, solid turning to liquid.

Fulgrim felt the metal blade in his hand begin to liquefy. Flame pulsed within the silver grip.

Ferrus opened his eyes. Fire blazed in their liquid depths. He snarled.

"I forged this blade. So, it is only fitting that I be the one to end it."

Boom!

The Fireblade exploded into a cloud of flame.

Fulgrim and Ferrus were hurled back. He gripped the shattered hilt, staring at Ferrus, who lay unconscious on the ground.

He looked at those silver hands, radiating destructive power. 'It's hard to imagine. Nareth actually broke through the Silver Hand's defense head-on.'

'If Ferrus hadn't crushed the Fireblade, if the explosion hadn't breached his defense, I would have.'

'No, I could have!'

Clang!

Fulgrim looked at the Forgebreaker lying on the ground. He walked over and picked up the weapon he had forged for his brother.

He looked at Ferrus, lying helpless on the ground. He hesitated for a moment, then hefted the warhammer over his shoulder, and walked proudly to stand over Ferrus.

Ferrus propped himself up on his elbows. "You'd better kill me. Because next time, I will kill you."

Fulgrim raised the Forgebreaker. The warhammer trembled in his hands.

His black eyes met the burning silver eyes. He lowered the warhammer.

"Ferrus, I would have lived and died with you."

"Why won't you do the same for me?"

Ferrus spat. "You are not my brother."

A faint whisper echoed in Fulgrim's ear. "Kill him!"

"I will always be your brother." Fulgrim said.

The hammer fell, striking Ferrus's jaw.

He crashed to the forge floor.

Ignoring the distant screams, Fulgrim tossed the shattered hilt of the Fireblade onto Ferrus's body, and turned to leave.

The forge doors opened. Santor saw Fulgrim emerge with the warhammer.

"Phoenician!" Eidolon shouted.

The Phoenix Guard activated their disintegration fields, striking the Morlock Terminators by surprise.

Clang, clang, clang!

Ten bodies fell.

Eidolon's throat flexed. His modified organ unleashed a piercing shriek.

His power sword shot out, piercing Santor's armor, through his chest.

Fulgrim opened the comm channel, giving the order.

"Every ship of the 52nd Expedition Fleet is to immediately execute attack orders."

"Target: the Iron Hands warships."

"Open fire."

....

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