As the cell door opened, the prisoner looked up.
Iron chains as thick as his wrists bound him tightly to the bare wall, surrounding him like a rusty snake.
They had taken off his power armor - now he was almost naked.
The small cell resembled the lower deck of Echo of the Curse, with damp walls and distant torches that shimmered with the footsteps of those who entered.
The light of the fire caught the prisoner's eyes, and when he looked at the statue, he also saw sparks flickering in the distance.
The shadowy gray robe surrounded the visitor's body, and the prisoner could see a smile at the corner of his mouth hidden under the cloak.
The iron door was closed and locked as the other party entered.
All was silent again except for the hiss of the torches.
"Talos Valcolan."
The figure stopped ten meters in front of him, and then said in a calm tone:
"Since I'm here to find you, you should know exactly what this means."
"Then do what you have to do, I'm not afraid of your methods."
"For now, I'm here to find answers, not to cut you into pieces."
As the figure walked forward, the prisoner saw the liquid-like black eyes shining behind the mask.
He was a head taller than an average Space Marine, and he was not wearing armor.
The prisoner blinked, his gaze sharp, but here he could not concentrate, nor could he see through something about this man.
The interrogator looked at the corner of the prison, as if waiting for something.
Finally, Talos let out a low hum.
"Tell me, what kind of simple question made you insist on tying me here?"
"A matter of loyalty."
The man in robes took off a lighting ball from the wall and brought it closer, spreading the light across the prisoner's pale skin.
"Have you ever thought that you would one day be judged by the Empire, in the worst case scenario... Since the Heresy, you have been responsible for hundreds of exterminations and massacres, and you have killed many loyal warriors, including Noble Captain of the Blood Angels, Captain of the Ultramarines, Champion of the Imperial Fists, you and your companions have committed countless crimes, but have you ever thought that one day you would be escorted before the Emperor's icon? accept punishment?"
“Is this an interrogation or a sermon?”
Talos asked with a smile.
"Is it necessary to distinguish between the two? An interrogation means that we are enemies, that goes without saying, and a sermon means that I am trying to convince you that I have to do this."
"That's not what these chains tell me."
"Any traitor who is caught will die. Thank me for letting you retain your life."
The man in robe placed the lighting ball in the metal bracket, and the greasy light immediately pushed away the darkness at the edge of the cell.
"The chains are only a precaution. I have given you all my respect, but you have failed to improve your shameless behavior in return, and you have not even introduced yourself in response."
The prisoner leaned his head back and felt a coolness coming from the wall on his scalp.
"Ha, my name is Talos Valcolan, a sergeant of the 10th Company of the 8th Legion. I used to be a pharmacist, but I am no longer."
"Ah, an ancient legend. As you have made your choice, I will temporarily respect you in return. My name is Soshyan Alexei, Chapter Master of the Astral Knights Chapter."
Talos looked at the person in front of him carefully. Just like what he saw in his dream, he was the type he hated - hypocritical, pretentious, and disgusting.
"Speaking of the issue of loyalty, distinguished Chapter Master Soshiyan, I am curious, has Sevatar been pardoned by the false emperor?"
"Is this issue important to you?"
"Yes, that question will determine how I curse him."
"Do you care about him? Even though he has been 'dead' for ten thousand years.
"If he really surrenders, then this incident will be a more serious blow to the Eighth Legion than the death of the original body. This means that we are almost useless, and it also confirms that the mark engraved on us for ten thousand years is correct. … We are just a capricious bunch of little people, even the best among us.”
"He chose the right path."
Talos laughed so hard that the cell shook.
"What is right?"
When his laughter paused, he asked a question of his own.
"Sevatar is the son of the Eighth Legion, and your right will never apply to him."
"Then tell me, what is right?"
Soshyan's question silenced Talos.
After a long time, he replied calmly:
"Punishment, revenge, self-pursuit."
Soshyan looked at him and suddenly smiled.
"Yes, but it's also right for us."
"What?"
"We also recognize punishment, revenge and self-pursuit. Talos, you have served much longer than me. Can you tell me why you wanted to become an Astartes in the first place?"
Talos looked at Soshyan and said nothing.
"It's just you and me here. Savita has told me a lot about you, but I still hope to hear it from your mouth."
"Why doesn't he come? Why you."
"This is his condition. He has said that he will not be involved in this matter again."
"Hmm...hypocrisy."
Talos sniffed, raised his head, and said with a mocking expression:
"What lofty ideals do you think I have? No, all I hope for is three meals a day and enough food and clothing. I just don't want to die in unnecessary bloodshed on the streets. I just want to become strong."
Soshyan nodded.
"I recognized."
"What?"
"I recognize your reasoning and deeply agree with it."
"Ha, put away that hypocritical face and leave your sympathy to those who need it more, kid."
"Do you think I'm pitying you?"
Soshyan tilted his head.
"No, I'm just confused. These reasons of yours have no connection with the path you will take in the future."
Talos frowned but said nothing.
"You have no ideals or ambitions. I can understand that you just follow the crowd. So the rebellion started by the original body is just a conditioned reflex of obedience for you? But I heard it from another person, you always said Full of hate, always resentful, always longing for revenge, but where does your hatred come from? Do you really have that much affection for that mad Primarch? I'm afraid not."
"What are you talking about?"
Soshyan took a step closer and stared at Talos' face.
"I know that you don't hate the Empire, you hate the Eighth Legion, and you hate yourself, just like the crazy Primarch, but you have nowhere to vent your hatred, and you can only choose the seemingly natural Empire. But no matter how much massacre you cause, no matter how many atrocities you commit, the hatred in your heart can never be filled, because the objects of hatred are always around you, but you must always call them brothers."
Talos gritted his teeth and assumed a posture of resistance.
"Admit it, Talos, soul hunter, what you hate most is the Eighth Legion!"
