For once, Kaesar was speechless as Valeria engorged him in power. The sheer ease of he dealt death to his enemies and the blood that was spilled in his wake, all he could do was cackle ruthlessly while destroying his victims. The last one he killed by tearing its throat out with a clawed hand. For a moment he just stood there hunched, legs wide, in the middle of the carnage soaked in blood. Ork blood dripped between his fingers onto his left boot after tearing the throat out. Kaesar just stared at the ground, laughing quietly, grinning widely underneath his helmet. He murmured a quiet "thank you" to Valeria. This day was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. Thû yelled. Time to go. Kaesar straightened his back and removed his helmet, breathing in the blood scented air of the battlefield one last time before departing. Fast as he could he boarded the Raider. Smiling, pleased with how things had turned out, still high on the rush of being the ultimate killing instrument. He sat down, resting his hands on the pommel of his klaive as it stood between his legs, helmet beside him. After that feeling has faded, he knew not how to handle what was to come. Was this a weakness in his personality he had just given into, shamelessly letting himself be manipulated? Could he really trust this Valeria to only ride along? Did Kaesar even care at this point? Whatever the case, he was on top of the universe, feeling magnificent and all powerful. To Valeria and himself, he hummed his favorite lovely tune, smiling widely.
Baeleris panted heavily after her performance an absolute euphoria spreading through her body, the life's blood of the beings who had not wronged her like a balm for the aching scars of servitude. She couldnt help but let out an excited giggling. The echoes of her song hung about them before being overwhelmed by the moans of the dying and damned. the thrill of it flowing through her as she opened her eyes a smile across her face. What she saw sent that fell smile far from her face A field of slaughter , countless dead , bodies shredded to a bloody fleshy confetti , she turned away from the dismembered arm of an ork still grasping as it tried to continue only to find at her feet the gaping wide eyed head of guardsmen his face contorted to an expression of agony. She buried her face in her hands before recoiling away at the feeling, splatters of blood decorating her hands. She felt everything begin to spin and then the draining effects of her efforts kicked in She hunched over holding herself up by viture of the staff alone she let out a feeble sound as she staggered towards the raider , the seemingly drunken manner almost humorous , as her vision began to swim she stumbled on her way to the raider
<Fear the Reaper> @kanila @Draconion @Maleth @Kalle @Skarboy @bossaroo @Wata @Vlayden Remaining Scions were quick to board the Raider, Thû getting behind the "driver's seat" while one of the Kabalites stood at the nearby console, ready to assist him in case he needed it. Inquisitor Kraus, who was a bit forgotten at that point, was still unconscious but the Kabalites didn't take their chances and they chained him next to the central mast in case he wakes up and finds his new company not to his liking. Seeing that everything was working and that everyone was here and accounted for, the Mandrake activated the grav engines and Raider surged forward, straight towards the exit. Thû was not the most skilled of pilots however initially, it was easy for him to dodge the small-arms fire as well as couple of lascannon shots that were throw at them by the angry Space Marines. Flying away from the main battle and past dozen of spires everyone could see that pretty much the entire Hive was being besieged, the Greenskin assault they experienced was only one of many as while they flew through the night they could see numerous impact areas created by Rokk drops, from which the Orks flooded the streets and brought war to Hive Helenia. Not much of a sightseeing value in it, especially when couple of missiles flew above their heads and exploded nearby. Turning around they could see three Stormtalon flyers giving chase, the Hawk Lords intent on not letting a single Dark Eldar flee this place. Assault cannons roared and the air around the Raider was set on fire, hyper velocity projectiles screaming through the air. Some impacted on their hull and this quickly became a game of cat and mouse, the damage the Raider suffered initially wasn't that bad but it slowly began mounting up and it would tell as it started disobeying Thû's commands. What was even worse, the exit into the lower parts of the Hive was just beyond their reach, at the end of a long wide street through which they currently flew. More shots impacted and the grav engine started smoking, the entire vehicle beginning to lose speed and altitude. Kabalites braced for inevitable impact, saying their goodbyes. But then the fate decided to once again interfere with the business of the Scions and She Who Thirsts was, at least for a moment, denied of her meal. Baeleris was the first one who sensed his presence, despite her current situation it was impossible to miss it, while Kaesar being the second, his new friend speaking into his mind. "The Reaper approaches. Thread carefully, least you end up being harvested." Everyone saw it couple of moments later as a figure appeared on the roof of one of the nearby buildings, half-hidden by the broken masonry behind him. Exiting the shadows the Scions could see a figure in black armor sculpted with bone, giving him the image of death itself. Hefting a massive weapon that looked more like a scythe than anything else, the lord brought it up and opened fire. Monomolecular discs left the barrel and flew past the Scions and their Raider and straight into the Stormtalons giving chase. First flyer exploded as its engine was taken out, the incredible precision of the shooter telling right of the start. Second one suffered the similar fate as its cockpit was blown open, killing the pilots inside and the Stormtalon simply steering to the side and into a nearby spire, ending its existence as a ball of flame. Pilot of the third and final Stormtalon gave up the pursuit and tried to locate the attacker, which he managed but not in time as the long-barreled shuriken cannon once again spat fire, raking the Stormtalon all through its side and the pilot lost control, the craft hitting the hard concrete of the street below and going up in flames. Then there was a single extra shot that hit the Raider straight in its working grav engine, which suffice to say, made it not working, and Thû was forced to lower it down and bring it to a halt. The second engine was smoking and it would take a while before the auxiliary systems would kick in and repair the damage, the time the figure which just saved their lives intended on using to the fullest. Jumping from the roof the figure slowly approached the Raider, the flames created by the destroyed Stormtalon giving him a looks of a vengeful ghost from some ancient tale, the fire dancing on his skull-helmet turning into visage of hell itself. "Scions of Commorragh, my Dark Kin, how strange that I find you here and with the prize I came to collect myself," Maugan Ra, Phoenix Lord of the Dark Reaper shrine spoke, his tone low and threatening, the voice of death incarnate calling out to you. "I want the Mon-Keigh thief you captured, he has stolen something of mine and I want it back. Now be so kind and hand him over," he stated it flatly, standing dozen of meters away from the Raider now, his weapon lowered but not completely. He just stood there next, not making any sort of movement, as if gauging the reaction coming from the Scions and waiting for their response.
Kadara could hardly believe this turn of luck, surely some trick of the Laughing God himself. A disbelieving laugh was allowed to pass through her external Vox, the rasping voice harsh and near-hysteric, but for only a few heartbeats. The Scourge launched herself off of the disabled Raider and landed some yards away from the approaching Phoenix Lord, helm opening to reveal her pale face, yellow, predatory eyes, and dark lips, which were twisted in an ironic smile. She sauntered over towards the Dark Reaper himself, and regarded him. "Maugan Ra," she announced, for anyone who was in doubt about the identity of this skull-faced not-savior. "You are dark as death itself, Phoenix Lord. Collector of souls... Come now, let's not mince words: Our Archon wants this man alive and we cannot go home to the Dark City empty-handed. However appropriate, we won't allow you to ask of us to die," she said, lips parting in a morbid grin. "... But there is an alternative, kinsman; come to the Dark City, your very self, and perhaps we can reach a compromise, like friends," she offered. "... And satisfy both of our needs," she added, with a purr.
As the Reaper himself makes his presence and demands known, Thû's mind immediately flashes back to the Warp vision that had visited him during his latest foray into the Beyond. Here was the Reaper of Souls himself - beyond all doubt - standing in the midst of the Mon'keigh city burning from root to tip. All that remained were the lone, lightning-struck tower in the grey desert, and the silver star bringing change both wonderous and horrifying... ...and that damnable bird watching it all from above. Self-preservations screams at Thû to cut and run, to live to fight and serve his lord another day. But the discipline and dedication built by years of self-sacrifice to the hidden banner of Kheradruakh holds him fast. There was a mission to accomplish, and it would be done, by hook or by crook. "And what is this thing you wish returned, Lord Maugan-Ra? I note that you have yet to name it, amidst all these divers alarums," he says, turning on his courtly voice and manners as he sketches a stage bow to the Phoenix Lord. @Colapse
The Incubus gave off a low, quiet sigh in response to the sight - surely seeing such a magnificent Eldar, a legend, was one to be celebrated and honoured. And yet... Sadly, inside, Venessia was merely frustrated with another delay, and undoubtedly something that was unnerving. Her glance at the Scourge was one that Maugan could certainly see as distasteful, perhaps not agreeing with their words. But all the same, she did not speak up. Instead, she pulled up her Punisher Halberd and came to one knee, bringing herself to a respectful state for the Phoenix Lord.
With their unexpected rescuer from Space Marines pursuit being Maugan Ra, Heltherith herself was wondering (if that was even the reason why, and she wasn't being paranoid) what she had done to merit a Phoenix Lord intervening in their mission. Suffice to say, she quickly covered up her shock at seeing the Reaper, given that the Reaper seemed to be asking for the lone human in their number. The Wych herself wasn't bent down in any form of respect but was instead engaged with the far more practical issue of tending to the Beastmaster's wounds, and didn't jump in to speak into what could potentially be situation that resulted in those that offended the Phoenix Lord being cut down.
Resigning himself to being treated by Heltherith, Aesra thought it best not to tempt fate with dealing with the Phoenix Lord. Better to have their 'diplomats' deal with the issue at hand. Aesra had escaped She Who Thirsts once already, no reason to risk it again over his inelegant diplomatic skills.
Kholivaz stood straight atop his Skyboard, Hellglaive in both hands but the haft resting across his legs. His normal bouts of insolent mouthing off were squelched by the presence of a Phoenix Lord making an explosive appearance. His good mood despite their frantic escape had been brought down as well. He had taken a moment with Saghiar to discuss the future, as the former Corsair dethroned the Lord Helliarch. Speaking of the future and the true nature of their wild kind. The Helliarch had looked at him as if he had been gripped by insanity, Kholivaz's vision of outlasting every pillar of Eldar society.. the Craftworlds, Vect, even Slaanesh. He would outlast the cycle. The victorious Commorrite had ended their exchange on philosophy there, activating the spinning chainsaber once more before slamming his defeated foe into the prow of the Raider, a dark stain all that was left of Saghiar as Kholivaz boarded. Yet here stood one possible of that which he sought. Bound by legend not to, but fully within the realm of possibility to deny the cycle which bound every Eldar. An immortal Phoenix Lord.. His eyes were daggers and his knuckles were white as he practically strangled his trusty Hellglaive. Behind the fury, a glint of avarice.
Truly? Now that is interesting. Kaesar replied to Valeria inside his mind. He walked over to the side of the Raider to peek outside and catch at least a glimpse of a living legend. After landing and finally getting a proper look upon the embodiment of death that was Maugan Ra, Kaesar laughed quietly to himself and winked at him. (If he even could do anything just by himself anymore.) One day, I'll reach the same skill level in what I do as the Harvester has in his. Fantasies and ultimate goals flashed through his mind, determined to keep improving himself. He didn't notice that he was biting his lip excited throughout this little moment of his. First goal would be to kill the current Hierarch in a duel, see where that takes him after that. All in due time. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Baeleris, nearby. @bossaroo "Oh look, everyone's favorite, still alive." He spoke in a low voice, inching a bit closer. "That massacre you pulled off earlier by singing. Starting to enjoy it, are you?" Kaesar bowed down to her level. "I know I want to see and hear more of that."
