Chaplain saw the newcomers and went up on his feet. "Brothers, what happened, did you win?"

"We lost badly"

Orichalcos watched the conversation with curiosity.

~~ Tau Empire ~~

"The forces of Kronus have fallen at the hand of the Orks and Eldar." A man reported, the Apothecary just laughing.

"Typical underestimation. Seems like your dear General did not calculate that the Orks are often used as a weapon by the Eldar." Sirius stated as he worked on fixing up the Shas'Vre who got injured from a hunting mission with the Kroot, he was the only survivor. They had hunted an unidentified species, he came back covered in scratches.

"Perhaps the circumstances were different than the messengers report?" The Soldier asked the Messenger who brought the news in the first place.

"We have to wait until the forces have returned, that was the only thing we heard over long-range communication. That and that Imperial Reinforcements arrived, a single Black Strike Cruiser, identification 'Hammer of Faith'." Sirius looked at him, stopping his medical duties.

"Any details?" But the messenger just shook his head. "I see... Anyway, you are fine, just make sure to take more troops the next time you investigate that new species. For the Greater Good of losing less skilled soldiers." Sirius said and sighed. His past caught up with him, but what would Krauz want on Kronus? Aid the Blood Ravens or the Imperial Guard? That did not make much sense, a hint must be there..... The Eldar?

"Any report on who leads the Eldar forces on Kronus?" Sirius asked before the Tau left the room. "A Farseer Taldeer of Ulthwe." And then it was all clear to him.

OOC: really? orks are freaking midgets in warcraft because of how they stand, their human foes are even taller, and if they can get killed by overzised boars, they cant be killed by power weapons and 2 much taller marines clad in power armor? even if its garrosh hes a douche, but what ever......

¨Well im glad its over, it was all just nonsense..., good thing its a simple simulation thou or we would be death allready¨

~~ Team Eldar - Part One ~~

UrianVelos: "Thank You." She said and threw some of the firewood in the fireplace, she could reach it without letting her left hand off from Noctis.

Shadhunter: "You are alright?" He asked sliding a few logs in with those she had thrown.

UrianVelos: Macha simply nodded and turned to Noctis. "Any means to start the fire?"

Shadhunter: "Could try a flare?" He asked, reaching into a pouch in his belt and producing said device.

UrianVelos: Macha just shrugged, not understanding the basic a flare is working by, only knowing the effect.

Shadhunter: Noctis grabbed a few twigs and some bark laying around and placed them atop the pile of wood they had created. He then activated the flare and placed it just above the kindling allowing the sparks to fly over the twigs.

UrianVelos: "Innovative, just as expected by a human." Macha said, making sure her hand was grabbing the one of Noctis.

Shadhunter: "Innovative?" He chuckled. "I figured you'd think it was primitive."

UrianVelos: "Innovative as in multiple purpose. But the technology itself is primitive... Fire is an element that nobody can control. You should be careful with it... But to use a device that is supposed to make a signal for fire... That is quite innovative." Macha explained

Shadhunter: "Sometimes simple works best." He said smiling beneath his helm. The kindling then caught fire and he withdrew his hand. He leaned back watching the fire engulf the rest of the wood. "How do you think you would have fared answering questions instead of this?" He asked.

UrianVelos: "I would have done just fine, I would have not lied. I rather would be afraid of what your brothers would learn... And how they would use it to kill my kin. But I sense you are different. You don't like to have secrets or to lie... But you seem to understand... You are so similar to Gabriel Angelos of the Blood Ravens." She said, her eyes upon his gace all the time, smiling beneath her mask.

Shadhunter: "But I am not Gabriel." He replied. "I would not have smashed the Maledictum.You mentioned what my brothers would learn. I've been meaning to ask, how do you feel about them?"

UrianVelos: "The Maledictum..." She sighed and lowered her head. "And your brothers... Well they are as the core of the Imperium. Capable of the greatest and the worst things." Macha looked at Noctis again.

"Some of them have a dark past and an even darker future. But there is one among you who can change everything one way or the other. Your fates are all weaved together and resulted here. For some it's the end of their journey, for others there are much greater things to come. I had seen it."

Shadhunter: He simply nodded at her reply. "To be honest, with you around, I fear what they may do, more than I do the challenges these Orichalci throw at us."

UrianVelos: "Kill me? That is not even the worst they could do. And the Orichalci...." Macha simply sighed, but shrugging it off. "Anyway, also regards me there is that one man who will have more than once the chance to cause my death or safety and to my misfortune that man is not you."

Shadhunter: "Do you know which?" He asked simply.

UrianVelos: "Not certain, but my guess would be in the Grim Reaper, your leader." She said, her eyes drifting to the fire, watching it burn and warm the room.

Shadhunter: A sense of ease fell over him at her words. "Then your fate is in good hands. Stevanus will not place you in harms way intentionally. There are a few among us who I do fear what they may choose to do..." A few moments passed by. "When I said I wouldn't leave you behind. I meant it. That's a promise. One I'd wager my life on."

UrianVelos: "You are an unordinary man, you should not throw it away that easily. You never know what the future holds for you." She kept staring into the flames, knowing well what she talks about. "So if it requires my life to be taken, do not sacrifice yourself. As long as my Waystone is save and is returned to Biel-Tan, I will be fine. If my body dies, do not worry, just make sure that my being is saved."

Shadhunter: "Is giving one life..." He paused for a moment placing a hand over her midriff. "To save two, not prefferable?"

UrianVelos: "If my stone is saved, so will be my life. You understand the way of the Eldar, yet you cling too much unto the teachings of the humans. When we are sealed in a Waystone, we are not dead, we exist, we think, we live. You might not notice, but the Eldar in the stone does."

Shadhunter: "I understand that all too well. But what of the one you carry within?" He replied.

UrianVelos: "That would be quite a tragedy indeed, but I sense that the Eldar in my womb has not too much impact on the general course of fates. Therefor it would be not too horrible. It would be sad, no question. Yet, consider that my child would never have to see war. It would be untainted by the horrors, the fear to lose someone you love..." Machas mind drifted away to the father, having the bad feeling that he is not even alive in a body any longer.

Shadhunter: "Can you be sure of that? There are many times when fates once prophesied do not come to pass. I am but a Human, there are countless billions within this galaxy. There could be hundreds of my people for every one of yours. Besides, I know 9 more who could carry on in my place where I come from."

UrianVelos: "I know of the Wolf Squadron and none of them could take your place." Her face was turned back to the Astartes. "Not even Eldritch himself." She thought for a moment before continuing. "I just feel like it... Also why should the other seers have let me go on my mission if my child would be destined for something truly great in the name of the Craftworlds?"

Shadhunter: "Perhaps they have not seen it. Your Seers may be wise and experienced beyond their years, but fate has a way of playing tricks on us all. Do not forget that the invasion of Alaitoc was seen by an inexperienced Seer, something the rest of the Seers could not see, yet, it had great impact."

UrianVelos: Macha nodded. "You might be right, but I would do whatever I can to keep my child off the path of the Seers or the Warrior. So either way whoever is right of us... My child would be just another Eldar of Biel-Tan and hopefully find to something greater than the constant thought about battles and war."

Shadhunter: He nodded at her. "You say none can take my place? What have you seen that makes me special? What makes my life more important than the two lives of your body?"

UrianVelos: "Something that will happen to you once you return from this world. It would break a promise and my own ways of how I handle things to tell you. You have to experience it the 'clean' way." Her voice was serious, not leaving any doubt in the air.

Shadhunter: He nodded again. "I understand, though might I ask? Promise to who?"

UrianVelos: Macha simply shakes her head in silence.

Shadhunter: He nods once, slowly."I will not pressure you. I do not doubt you. I imagine it will all be revealed in time regardless."

UrianVelos: "It certainly will, therefor do whatever you can to survive. Even if it requires my sacrifice. I promise you, I do whatever I can to not provoke any aggressions between your brothers and myself." She took her other hand to stroke gentle over the Shoulder pad of the Space Wolf, feeling his emotions and knowing very well why.

~~ Team Eldar - Part Two ~~

Shadhunter: "If it comes down to it... I can not just stand by and watch you die." He said softly looking down to the rock below their feet.

UrianVelos: "Then do something that won't kill you at least. Your survival is important. Believe me." She leaned her head on his shoulder

Shadhunter: "I'll try... I'll try... But I cannot make you a promise." He said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself."

UrianVelos: She blushed slightly but did not resist. "You are a very emotional Astartes... Emotional beyond hatred, faith and murder... Do not express it too often, or you might get yourself killed."

Shadhunter: "I will... keep that in mind. Though Eldritch had always warned us against Blind Hatred. It is... the reason I am beyond that which you would consider normal for an Astartes... or even a human."

UrianVelos: She laid a hand on the side of his helmet. "You are almost an Eldar, someone could say." That said she made a bit distance again. "To be honest, I believe Eldritch has raised you as one, you are the youngest of the Squadron are you not?"

Shadhunter: "I am, the most recent addition as well." He replied, curious as to where she was going with this.

UrianVelos: "Have you never wondered about the organization Eldritch had? He applied the Aspect Shrine system on you. An independent squad, setup as a Shrine with him as the Exarch. And you are their newest Aspect Warrior. The Shrine of the Orkan Wolves." She said, semi-irritated that Noctis did not recognized the system before

Shadhunter: He smiled beneath the helm. "There are many similarities there, but also many differences. The Exarchs teach their warriors hatred, vengeance, emotions your people are not naturally inclined to through the war-mask. Eldritch warded us away from those the Imperium wished to instill in us... He sought me... I did not seek him."

UrianVelos: "You are a wise man for a warrior." Macha started off, quite impressed by how much Noctis actually knows. "Also you are still a Space Wolf, An Adeptus Astartes, a man of the Imperium. But Eldritch educated in the ways, methods and logic of an Eldar. I am not sure for which purpose, but he accomplished that goal very well."

Shadhunter: "To teach us. To be what the Astartes where meant to be. Not just an Angel of Death... But a Guardian... A Guardian for those who can not protect themselves. Not a beacon of fear, bloodshed, or doom. But of hope. A hope that peace can be restored, that the bloodshed can be stopped, that lives can be saved. Whether it be a human or an Eldar, it matters not. To protect and serve... That is the purpose he has given and instilled within each of us."

UrianVelos: "Guardian." Macha repeated, with what seemed like joy in her voice. "The Militia of the Craftworlds to do exact that. Protect those who cannot protect themselves. To aid the warriors to fulfill their act... Or the right act." She leaned back a bit, sitting straight up, her hand all this time in his.

Shadhunter: "It is why our colors are not that of the others within our chapter. Eldritch desired that we be recognizable, and through our colors, what we stand for..." He said then paused for a moment and muttered. "Orkan."

UrianVelos: "Green - The Color of hope, but also one of the main colors of Biel-Tan." Macha finished for Noctis.

Shadhunter: "It is also the symbol of safety and harmony." He stated quietly, and placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

UrianVelos: "Something that is only a dream since ten thousand years. And yet just more fighting starts, more warriors ascend and more wars start. Though I sense you have something else to talk about? Or do you think it is time to move on and try to find a way out?" Macha stated, placing her other hand on the top of Noctis' gauntlet that rested on her shoulder

Shadhunter: "But we hope it can be more than a dream by doing something about it. The fact that you and I are within this cave speaking to one another is enough proof of hope for me." He thought for a moment. "I can not think of any more questions, but a statement, a promise. When you have returned to Biel-Tan, if you ever have need of me. Call for me, I'll be there. Likewise for the rest of my brothers, call of us and we will arrive, it is our purpose."

UrianVelos: "There will be no need to call upon you or Krauz, I will make sure of that. Yet I have one last statement also to say, but I won't explain it until either moment of death occurrs or we escape from the world. The Orichalci do not exist, the whole Fairytale story I made up to convince your others, yet the population played along. I believe to know who they are, but as said. No explanation until either our death is near, or we escape from here, whatever comes first."

Macha said and looked towards the cave entrance, the snow still as much and blocking as before, but alas her mind started to craft ideas how they might get out.

Shadhunter: He nodded. "I will not spread it around. You have no further questions?"

UrianVelos: Macha shook her head as she was looking around the camp to see if anything would be of use.

Shadhunter: "Do you happen to recall which basecamp number this is?" He asked removing the communication device from his belt.

UrianVelos: "Must had been four." She stated and looked with a smile as it seemed the Wolf had forged an idea.

Shadhunter: OOC:Woops perhaps a slight mistake, when Noctis was referring to "His brothers", he meant the rest of Wolf Squadron, not the DW.

UrianVelos: OOC: when where who?

Shadhunter: Noctis lifted the communication device and pressed the button on the side. "This is Noctis, Macha and I are trapped in basecamp number 4."

UrianVelos: "Roger that, Suggest cancellation of mission and emergency extraction. Though we cannot get you up there, you must get as low as basecamp number three. To make it out of the cave, there should be a secondary exit deeper in the cave."

Shadhunter: "Copy that." He replied then returned the device to his belt. He stood up, keeping her hand in his. "Shall we?"

UrianVelos: Macha nodded and stood up, looking at the cavern and just now noticing a deeper tunnel into the cave. "That had not been there before... It seems the simulations also add or remove things depending on what had been done or told..."

Shadhunter: He nodded. "Interesting... It adapts to our choices." He stated moving deeper into the cave.

UrianVelos: "I wonder then what happens if you go against the setup circumstances... As in breaking the rules. For example we were supposed to climb down the mountain, what might happen if we just would not move or jump down or something... Not that I am foolish enough to attempt, but the consequences would be extreme I can imagine." She stated with a slight shrug.

And as the group made their way through the icy tunnel, they indeed found an exit on the other side of the mountain. Macha looked wide around to look for the flag.

Shadhunter: “See it?” He asked examining the area in search of it as well.

UrianVelos: Noctis eventually spots it on the far east, roughly three hundred meters below their current location. Macha was looking towards the West. "Not yet, perhaps the other side?" She said while having climbed on Noctis back in one swing, wrapping legs and arms around him.

Shadhunter: “I see it. There.” He said pointing. “Hold on tight, I’d rather not have you fall off.” He said turning and getting ready to begin his descent.

UrianVelos: "I would rather not fall as well." She said happly, clinging on him as he made his way.

Shadhunter: Some time had passed and Noctis had managed to climb all the way down to the next basecamp without any trouble. Upon reaching the camp he grabbed the device from his belt. “We are at basecamp number 3.”

UrianVelos: "Affirmative, Chopper dispatched, stand-by for a few minutes." The Voice replied and in the distance the Two climbers could see one again a threat.

"Those creatures again..." Macha stated, rising her hand to be ready for unleashing her psychic power if the enemy closes in.

Shadhunter: Noctis grabbed the bolter and raised it. “I’d rather not have to fight these.” He stated

UrianVelos: "If I think how these simulations work it is necessary. All was easy, but this is our Last Stand. Survive and stay together, we get extracted. Flee further, we will face more complications. Either fight and succeed or run and risk more." Macha expressed her opinions, it just being a few seconds longer until the bird-monsters would be in range

Shadhunter: He nodded. “We’ll have to fight together then. As one.”

UrianVelos: "Indeed." She looked into the sky, seeing three creatures in a triangular formation. Feeding Noctis' mind with her thoughts. Showing him that she would unleash lightning upon the front one. Recommending him to do spread-fire to get them off their attack trajectory

Shadhunter: He nodded and aimed his bolter at the one on the left preparing to spread the fire from his bolter across them all.

UrianVelos: Just as they closed in their attacks were unleashed upon the enemy. Machas Lightning Bolts hit the first head, grilling it insides. It fell towards the ground as it could not maintain it's flight due to the pain. The other Two creatures disengaged and flew straight up and beyond their firing range.

Shadhunter: Noctis moved closer to the mountain wall glancing in each and every direction. “This... Complicates things.”

~~ Team Eldar - Part Three ~~

UrianVelos: The two came soon back with three more, being five now in a widespred formation closing in on the two. "Rinse and repeat, like you humans would say." Raising her right hand to unleash another psychic lightning bolt on the leading animal.

Shadhunter: Noctis aimed his bolter quickly and aimed it at the one on the far left and began firing and moved it from left to right, attempting to coat each and everyone of them in bolter fire.

UrianVelos: Noctis' Bolter clicked empty after the salvo, but having two given a headshot, again two survived. the first right and the one on the far left. They also disengaged. "They will continue until we cannot defend ourselves anymore.... Check with the device how much longer."

Shadhunter: Noctis reloaded the bolter quickly then fumbled for the device. “What’s the ETA on that extraction!?”

UrianVelos: "Sixty Seconds." The man answered and out of nowhere they could start hearing the engines of the Chopper in the distance.

"Told you it varies on how we act.... I assume that is two more waves of those birds." Macha stated, the next wave closing in, being 7 creatures now in an arrow formation.

Shadhunter: “Can you confuse one or two of them? Or same plan?” He asked readying the bolter once again.

UrianVelos: "I can't enter their mind, seems this simulation aims for brute force." She stated, unleashing a barrage of more psychic lightning, aiming for the center, which allowed to grill the ones behind as well.

Shadhunter: He nodded and began the previous motion with the bolter allowing the projectiles to spread across as many as he could.

UrianVelos: Four survived this time before breaking off the formation. "That will be troublesome....." Macha whispered, breathing a bit harder as the use of her powers exhaust her, but her legs were still strong around Noctis. In the distance besides the growing sound of the Chopper, there was also a loud sound from the birds.

Soon it was revealed.... That must had been the mother. A huge beast, thrice the size of the others.

Shadhunter: Noctis reloaded the bolter quickly. “Just a bit longer...” He said reassuring her as he noticed her breathing. “I have an idea.”

UrianVelos: "Mind to tell me your idea so I can prepare?" She asked, looking upon the huge monster they had angered.

Shadhunter: “Im gonna try and clip a wing off as many as I can, perhaps they’ll fly into each other.” He replied taking careful aim.

UrianVelos: "Good idea." She whispered, the enemy closing in. She raised her right hand for the wings of the Mother, nine others flying next and behind her. But Macha assumed, with her down, the others would rather try to save her rather keep attacking.

Shadhunter: “Guide my fire Macha, if you can.” He stated as he fired upon the wings of one of the beasts nearest the mother.

UrianVelos: Macha tried her best, but could not do much as her powers drained most of her stamina and concentration. Yet it paid off. At least a bit.

The bird next to the mother crashed into her, bringing her off track and forcing her to crash into two others on the side, the impact too strong so they flew face-front against the mountain wall. The Mother though evaded and flew in a circle, her children following her for a second attack. This time though completely spread apart, adapting to the two climbers' fighting style. The Six children and the mother engaging them now again.

Shadhunter: Noctis gritted his teeth as he reloaded the bolter once more. He glanced back at her and saw the fatigue beginning to overcome her. He pulled the blind grenade from his belt and held it tight in his hand.

UrianVelos: Macha wondered what a grenade would be of use. "You cannot throw it that far!" She stated over telepathy.

Shadhunter: “No I cant...” He replied. “But we cannot stop them with our previous method. Do you trust me?”

UrianVelos: "Of course I do trust you, Noctis." Macha said seriously, breathing a bit hard, trying to catch her breath while clinging upon him

Shadhunter: “Close your eyes then.” He replied waiting for the creatures to draw closer.

UrianVelos: She did as told and closed her eyes, hanging tight upon Noctis.

The Bird-Creatures were just around eight seconds in distance before they would clash into the climbers.

Shadhunter: He waited a mere second or two then pulled the pin on the grenade and tossed it just in front of himself and Macha and immediately averted his eyes. “If this doesnt work...”

UrianVelos: The Grenade flew high, towards the beasts and exploded in a bright flash just right infront of the Monsters, being completely blinded they screamed in confusion, anger, frustration and pain. Closing their eyes tightly and blinking furiosly to get their eyes adjusted they started to fly blindly, crashing into eachother and ultimately against the mountain wall, splattering their skulls.

With the danger gone, the two climbers could take a breath, seeing the chopper coming up from the distance. The technology was distinct and strange to them. Having insignias of red crosses on both sides and painted red and white it closed down unto them.

"That was.... close." Macha stated, breathing fast, clinging on the Space Wolf.

Shadhunter: “But we did it.” Noctis replied moving closer to the helicopter.

UrianVelos: The chopper hovered near to the edge of the mountain, opening it's side a simple human stood there, completely dressed in red. "You alright?!" He asked, having the same voice as the one over the communication device, stretching his hand out to help them into the chopper.

Shadhunter: “We’ll be alright.” Noctis replied taking his hand and stepping into the chopper.

UrianVelos: Macha kept clinging on the back of Noctis as they climbed back on the chopper, then stepping carefully down and holding on his hand as she sat down. "Just a bit stressed, thank you." She said to the human as the Chopper headed for the basecamp on the foot of the mountain

Shadhunter: “You did good Macha... You did good.” Noctis said quietly taking a seat beside her.

UrianVelos: "So did you, Noctis." Looking at him, the man with the red clothes just sat opposite of them, as if it was completely casual to see an Astartes and an Eldar. After a couple of minutes the chopper landed at a heli-pad at the base camp and Noctis and Macha left the chopper. There was the flag waving, in the center of the camp.

"Shall we then?" The Farseer asked.

Shadhunter: He nodded. “Lets get this done.” He said moving closer to the flag, his hand in hers.

UrianVelos: She kept his hand tight in hers, touching the pole of the flag and pulling it out slow.

Shadhunter: He watched as she removed the flag. A sense of triumph came over him, theyd finally done it.

UrianVelos: OOC: and back to thread

Shadhunter: OOC: KK

OOC: #1 Its a simulation, I could even make a ripper that can't die. #2 It was a PARODY on WoW, so using their names, not their facts. #3 It's a set of challenges set by a mysterious species that uses simulation (which is not known in Wh40k to exist at all). #4 Brute Force is not always the best course of action and as a Dark Angel player you should know that very well as the DA are VERY codex-oriented if it comes down to tactics. Just in organization they are less adherent.

~~ Hall of Challenges ~~

Macha and Noctis appeared next to the others, still holding their hands.