This is a very ordinary day.
The weak sunlight shines on the land that is not covered by poisonous clouds on Naisen IV, and the heat haze and dry air are as unbearable as usual.
Less than thirty warriors lined up on both sides of a kilometer-long avenue. The wind blowing from the distant mountain range swayed dozens of flags with double swords and eagles.
Everyone in the Chapter was present, including Thor, and they even attached some decorations to their armor, such as holy symbols and ribbons.
It was an ordinary day, except for one thing.
A band of brothers is coming.
As early as a week ago, the Astropaths had already sent news that a small Astartes fleet had jumped out of the vast ocean and was approaching Nessen IV at an alarming speed.
Like a sharp blade cutting through the water, the fleet followed the shortest path through the outer reaches of the galaxy and headed towards the stopping point in the planet's orbit.
They immediately stated their identities and intentions.
The Chapter Master of the Ascetic Chapter personally came to visit the Astral Knights who made great sacrifices in the Battle of the World Engine.
Soshyan did not appear surprised when he received the news, but simply ordered his warriors to prepare.
Because he knew in his heart that the other party would definitely come, it was just a matter of sooner or later.
The Ascetics first appeared during the Second Founding of the Army and are considered the oldest group.
After consulting the Emperor's Tarot Cards, the founders of the Ascetic Chapter were guided by the Emperor's will to the planet Bosule in the Storm Sector, which is equivalent to saying that they are neighbors of the Astral Knights Chapter.
The Ascetic Chapter strictly adheres to the regulations of the Codex Astartes, but due to the influence of the native culture of the planet Posuul, the Chapter still has some unique characteristics.
Their fortress monastery, the Temple of Death, is a star fortress orbiting Bosulla. The fortress hall is filled with rows of skulls cut and carved from dead Space Marines, and the main chapel is filled with skulls after victory. Skulls taken from enemies.
The funeral rites of the Chapter are led by Chapter Chaplains, who are recruited from the priestly class of the native inhabitants of Bosuul and are called Death Chaplains. Many of the Chapter's religious characteristics come from the planet's native culture.
The brutal tribal wars on Bosule created a number of candidates to become space warriors. This planet is a dark night world with no light all year round, so ascetics are used to fighting in low-light conditions.
Under the guidance of a certain ideology, even if the newcomers underwent transformation and implant surgery and were guided and indoctrinated with ideas from the Adeptus Astartes, they still retained a large number of customs from the planet's primitive tribes.
These traditional practices include meditating before battle and eating the flesh and blood of their enemies after the battle - then cutting off their heads and skinning them to remove their bones.
But to others in the Empire, such behavior made the ascetics appear to be teetering on the edge of heresy.
They are often viewed with suspicion by other Chapters, but to this day, they remain the Empire's staunchest defenders.
Soshyan had already heard a little bit about the barbaric culture of this chapter after coming to Naisen IV, so he not only welcomed the meeting, but also had a more cautious attitude.
In addition to the Astartes, there are thousands of servants serving the Chapter gathered here, but they can only watch from a distance.
Chroniclers of the Chapter's history were also kept at arm's length, including Soshyan's personal scribe servitor.
The dignitaries of Naison IV were completely blocked from today's ceremony, which made their frustration obvious.
But this was a meeting between Astartes, a private matter, and Soshyan did not want to admit irrelevant persons.
Although the weather is very good, the tension here is hard to ignore. The soldiers' too stiff and standard posture also exposed their tense emotions.
This is more than just an honor guard welcoming a brother Chapter - it is also a show of strength and a gesture of determination.
Although if you just look at the numbers, their determination is actually pitiful.
Soshyan stood at the front of the team, but there was not even an honor guard around him.
Fully armed, he abandoned some of the fine decorations on his armor and chose a simple aesthetic that was more suitable for straightforwardness.
A dark mail cloak hung on his back, a helmet decorated with sideburns stood as high as a peacock's long and luxurious tail, and the Holy Flame Sword hung on his waist.
Beside him, besides the priest Yazdan, was Thor.
The opponent was wearing a simple armor and helmet, and looked like an ordinary warrior.
Soshyan looked up and saw that the sky was like a white-hot metal plate that was about to hit the top.
He probably wouldn't have seen those iron-gray vehicles until they were so close, but he kept looking anyway.
"It took them so long to get here, but by the time we lined up to greet us, they were no longer in a hurry."
In the team, Armin couldn't help complaining, their voices only being transmitted inside the helmet.
"The so-called local snake's bad habit."
Farzad said that he deliberately created an appearance closer to a rough warrior today.
"Isn't that right, Ustad?"
Ustad nodded imperceptibly and said nothing more.
"I heard that their home planet is a barbaric world and they recruit from the barbarians."
"ha!"
Farzad chuckled and said:
"They sound just like me, and I'm almost starting to like them."
"Yes, your kind."
Armin teased:
"You will definitely hit it off right away."
"You can say whatever you like, but don't think I can't see you shaking."
At this time, the uneasiness emanating from Armin brought Ustad's thoughts back to reality. He raised his head and saw two angular gray Thunderhawks swooping down from the dark yellow sky, falling rapidly as if their engines had failed.
They screamed, wingtips trailing bright, fiery trails.
"They're quite anxious."
Farzad also noticed, and his voice changed its tone.
"Is this a good thing?"
"No."
Farzad's voice was full of caution.
"I don't think so. It's a kind of hostility, just like when two tribal leaders show off their strength and weapons to each other when they meet."
"Can you feel their thoughts?"
Armin asked curiously.
"It's not difficult, like you said, we are all savages and I know their way of dealing with people."
Farzad tried to keep his voice steady.
Ustad did not participate in their conversation. He just watched the two Thunderhawks fall from the sky quietly, calculated their trajectories, and realized that they would miss the scheduled landing area.
"Something's wrong."
He said softly:
"They missed the target."
As soon as he finished speaking, those meteor-like thunder eagles changed their trajectory again and swooped directly towards the team, seemingly about to create a large, devastated crater in the square outside the monastery fortress.
Soshyan also realized that there was something wrong with the opponent's flight trajectory. He couldn't help but guess whether it was a mechanical failure or other darker reasons.
Just when everyone was convinced that it was too late for them to land safely, the Thunderhawks suddenly started their reverse engines and crashed into the square at the end of the road with a tsunami-like roar.
Exhaust fumes and smoke erupt from their landing points, and the hot air resembles a hurricane.
All but the Astartes struggled alone against the Thunderhawk's jet stream.
Before the thick dust cloud dissipated, Thunder Eagle's springboard had already crashed down.
Figures wearing black and bone-white armor emerged from the swirling smoke. They were clad in skeletons, swift and steady, as deadly as polished blades.
Leading them was a tall figure, a warrior whose whole body was carved with bones. His whole body was full of pure and streamlined aggression, coupled with the sharp scythe blade with shining silver and the faint light of ebony on his shoulders. The huge scythe with the handle is like the embodiment of the word "death".
There is no doubt that he is the Chapter Master of the Ascetic Chapter, Lord Magyar.
