Pholax's laughter returned, "I guess that means Elymas is out of the race. If we have time later, I'll teach you how to count. We weren't a unit when in the other Legions, it's a question how many did we each kill for Fulgrim while with the other Legions." Pholax mused thinking about the Xenos he'd met, gutted, shot, stomped and blown up since joining with the World Eaters. "I remember this one Xeno, a large beast it was, towering over us. You should have seen it as it's leg was blown off, it fell to floor and screamed as a World Eater, Lhoer ripped it's head off. Seemed to be a hive mind, the others screeched and ran in terror as it died. Unfortunately for the foul Xenos, when a World Eater wants blood, there isn't much you can do to stop them." Pholax spoke scratching his chin.
@dx144 "I disagree, but I suppose your glory seeking has not changed, if anything the world eaters made it worse, eh? Just don't get too eager, else you might fall into a bloody cauldron eating away at more than just your flesh." Elymas said grimacing, sincerely disgusted into how Pholax talked about slaughtering monsters with such enthusiasm. Maybe they slipped some of the rumored butchers nails that the world eaters utilized into his head. But at the same time he was worried that Pholax forgot when captain Minteril charged head first into the xeno priest that got away and ever since totally changed. Maybe not everyone of the 4th squad grew as much as himself. Or maybe they just lost too much of the legions way. Surely nothing that Sidon or Leonis would tolerate for too long. The third was not a 'victory with any means' type of legion. Their image was much more important and the golden icons they wore were their constant reminder of such. But maybe, Elymas hoped, Pholax was just boasting in attempt to impress his fellows and did not mean his words as strong as he made it sound like.
"I am a son of Fulgrim, glory is my destiny." Pholax said plainly. "And if you remember it was I who spoke against going for the behind the lines strike and to slog it out with the frontline assault, and if I did fall into that cauldron I'd fight my way out of that like I do my other problems. Would you like to hear about my meeting with Angron? I found it rather... enlightening." Pholax's demeanour changed seeing Elymas becoming uncomfortable at his talk, a smile creeping across his face, which now held a few scars across his face, usually he'd got them from the fighting pits but a few were clearly from Xeno weaponry.
"I would be careful not to taunt one such as Elymas, Pholax." A veritable giant of an Astartes steps into the squad's bubble of space. The warrior carries with him a halberd of equally imposing size with a blade that was frankly a fair deal longer and broader than it needed to be- certainly not the tool of a guardian. At least the rest of Extrovious is recognizable, outwardly anyways. His eyes shift from Pholax and his newest 'augments' to the Librarian himself. Marine walks purposefully to the witch, then extends a hand, prepared to clasp a forearm as an almost relived smile crosses his features. "I did not think happiness would ever be something I felt upon seeing you Elymas, but after these past five odd decades I cannot help but welcome the devil I know after dealing with so many stranger ones." A bit backhanded, but it sounded genuine. If Elymas wanted to take a poke around inside his head, or even skim the surface of his personal aura, the Psyker would find Extrovious had become even more closed off in mind. So much time among mind readers and seers lent fervor to both paranoia and caution. "Pholax, Vitaly, a pleasure to see you two as well. Seems your secondments were kind, at least enough that you still count yourselves among the squad. Tell me, where are my little brothers? Aleph and Martyn surely cannot have already ascended to a higher rank and left us in the dust." Stepping back to seize them all up, Extrovious' smile warms more. "Sergeant, an honor to be back in familiar company. Sir Arnock, I have read little of your exploits, but that standard alone tells me we are expected to be capable hands." Brows perk and he looks around as if confused before narrowing his gaze on Jendon. "Ahah! There you are my brother, had almost lost sight of you. Spent your time well among the Hydra?" Of course Jendon had always been in plain sight, it seemed the towering legionary was in the mood for theatrics.
"Likewise, Extrovious." Pholax said giving his chainaxe a slight rev, "Hopefully I will not need your sword, or halberd now, to save me." Pholax laughed. "I hope that weapon has seen some good combat in your service, such a fine weapon deserves to draw blood." "As much as I enjoyed my time with the World Eaters, you are my brothers and I'll stand by your side, although I'd be lying if I said it does pain me not to be by their sides in combat again, there is a passion for killing your foe up close and watching the life fade from it's eyes. There was this one Alien, Eldar I think, slippery bastard. Dodging left and right, even jumped over a few blade strikes. Then finally you connect that vital strike, precise, composed and well timed, seeing it as the masterpiece needed to bring down a foe. Truly beautiful, it's rich blood stained by armour for the rest of the day as well." Pholax spoke with a bittersweet smile, recalling the event. "I know they're more brutish than us and all but they're fine warriors who know what they're doing, we'll be lucky to serve with them, shed a lot of blood with them and for them. I look forward to seeing them again one day." Pholax spoke with a smile extending an arm to Extrovious. "But, enough of me getting all sentimental. How was your time away, Extrovious. You've brought some souvenirs it seems, bring me anything nice?" Pholax chuckled.
Extrovious clasps arms with Pholax and brings him in for a clattering of chest plates, figuring the Devastator might appreciate it. World Eater charms could be infectious it seemed. "I would have brought you back a bayonet were the sons of Magnus worthy craftsmen. Alas, nothing to be found on Prospero or among their armories better than what is in our own- barring their psykers anyways. How appropriate you bring up the Eldar, my first deployment alongside the Thousand Sons saw us driving the capricious bastards from one of their own worlds." Extrovious' eyes dull recalling the most poignant memory from the campaign, that one dastardly moment of sorcery gone wrong. Face brightens as mind turns back to conversation at hand. "You know, if you lament the big guns so much, perhaps it is time for a change of kit? I would not mind an extra hand in the vanguard. Someone with similiar tastes in getting up close and personal, perhaps?"
"You dishonour our brothers of the Fifteenth, they might not be of Fulgrim's blood but I've seen some of their workings of art, it is different... but still has a beauty of its own. I'm sure they were just hiding it from prying eyes." Pholax jested. "The Eldar was a tricky foe, striking from the shadows, always having to watch your back, saw one too many cousins die to their blades but we drove them out eventually. Got a close shave from one of them after my helmet was smashed." Pholax pointed to a scar across his cheek. "A few inches deeper and I'd have lost my jaw. but that is a tempting offer. If I did that though, when would I ever get the chance to use my Autocannon, it tears through Terminator Plate like a hot blade through wheat. I might join you up front though if I get the chance, we don't always need me wasting ammo. The Orks do like to get up close and personal, perhaps we will get the chance to shed blood together back to back soon." Pholax smiled at the tempting offer. "Do you think you could keep up with me? As I've learnt, a chainaxe is a lot more effective in melee than a heavy bolter." Pholax laughed sharing a moment with his old squad mate reliving the last time they served together.
@DeranVendar Responding to the forearm clasp equally, Elymas smiled up to the taller Astartes. "The Thousand Sons have taught you well in how to maintain your fortress, Extrovious. I already have heard about your exploits before you arrived here. Partially." He tapped the Wyrm-icon on his chest with the emerald and sapphire gems in the eyes. "The Wyrms of Knowledge are not bound to a legion, but to a shared gift of our witchcraft. I also sense your suspicion upon me, but fret not. I have learned better control of my powers since that forsaken jungle world." Elymas gave the warrior a clasp on the shoulder. @dx144 & @DeranVendar After listening for a while the back and forth between the two proud Emperor's Children, upon the mention of Orks the librarian decided to give two coins of his experience with them. "Do not underestimate the greenskins. They might be brute, but their technical prowess is if at least to be aware of. And that is when we will be thankful for heavy weapon support, Pholax. Everyone has a place in the machinery of war we are. And each cog must do it's duty where it serves the best." It was much how the Iron Hands operated and key to the happiness that Elymas had found in himself through their display of trust and precise teamwork. "I have seen them not only steal but retrofit one of the Iron Hands most glorious vehicles. It was a shame to have to destroy it. But it was necessary to prevent further losses. At the end of the day luckily none of that matters. Like I spat in the Dark Eldar faces before. Do not suffer the alien to live. It is the age of Mankind and we are the Emperor's Children. There will be nothing but death to his foes." The Librarian started to itch for a fight. Like before, it should bring them closer together once more. Time has fragmented the squad too much. But harboring the secret of what makes Fulgrim and Ferrus Manus such close brothers, Elymas would focus on humanity to his millennium and the drive of perfection against weaknesses. Weaknesses of all forms, especially those that stood in the way of improving the Imperium, such as selfishness over graciousness, glory over brotherhood, hatred over love.
Turning to Elymas' contribution, Pholax felt more like he was being chastised like a child speaking about things he didn't understand. "I know the Greenskins aren't to be underestimated brother, but they are brutes who think of nothing more than the kill. Bait and lure them then strike killing as many as you can, always look for the biggest. Such simple minds." Pholax grimaced at the Librarian's words. "But I guess you are true, a heavy weapon is always appreciated. Provided it's on your side." Pholax chuckled. "I am sorry to hear of the Tenth losing a prised vehicle. I have seen many Legion vehicles blown apart but I don't think I've ever had to destroy a once friendly legion vehicle. Quite a few Malcador and Leman Russ tanks of traitors but never Legion Vehicles. My condolences." Pholax bowed slightly at the Librarian's pain.
@dx144 Arnock let out a sigh, "This banner...This symbol is so much more than a cloth. Nevertheless, you are entitled to your opinions. Just know that whether you choose to believe in what this truly stands for or not, to let it fall would detract from this glory you are so keen on obtaining." @DeranVendar Arnock nodded to Extrovious, masking his shame. All whom had seen him believed he had won the honor of this banner. However, to Arnock, this was not the case. This 'honor' was not won or earned, it fell into his hands through the death of a one greater than he. Arnock had yet to earn such an honor, but in truth there were only to options he had before him. Honor or death.
