3rd POV – Warp-Space, Aboard The Ember Vow
The Warp howled like a chorus of twisted gods beyond the reinforced hull, a formless ocean of screams and madness. Yet, within the sanctified chamber of the ship's core, serenity reigned.
Shawn Newman sat cross-legged at the center of a circular formation, joined by Vulkar, Tahak, and Basur. Their armors shimmered with silvery-black hues, and liquid Haki flowed across the floor like a river of molten spirit. They breathed in unison, Haki extending in threads that fused into the very bones of the ship.
The Ember Vow groaned, then steadied.
Their combined willpower pressed outward, creating a metaphysical shield that the Warp could not touch. The Warp recoiled like an animal burned by light. For the first time since its refitting, the ship sailed smoothly.
"This vessel is no longer just steel," Tahak whispered. "It breathes with our will."
Shawn nodded. "Let it carry not just us, but the flame we will spread across the stars."
3rd POV – Arrival at Kharon's Rest, Shrine World Turned Graveyard
The ship emerged from the Warp with the crackling roar of thunder. Before them lay the once-holy world of Kharon's Rest, now a shattered planet overrun by twisted Genestealer cults and roaming Chaos warbands.
Smoke choked the skies. Vox signals screamed with distorted calls for help.
On the surface, a desperate final stand unfolded. Atop the broken cathedral of Saint Dravion, five surviving Astartes held their ground against an endless tide.
Their names were:
Brother-Captain Serkan of the Raven Guard, stoic and calculating.
Chaplain Vorn of the Black Templars, righteous and unwavering.
Techmarine Hekor of the Iron Hands, cybernetic and silent.
Veteran Gaius of the Carcharodons, brutal and unpredictable.
Lieutenant Solan of the Ultramarines, strategic and charismatic.
Each of them bore scars not just of battle, but of betrayal and abandonment. And yet, they still stood.
Shawn Newman POV – The Drop
"Deploy," I ordered.
We descended in drop-capsules reinforced by Haki, cutting through the burning skies like thunderbolts. Vulkar landed beside me, hammer cracking the ground. Tahak emerged in a flurry of fluid motion, eyes already closed in Observation. Basur roared as he tore his way from his pod, already charging.
The new Salamanders followed behind, their Haki flickering with newfound control.
As I stepped forward, my twin gauntlet-blades formed with a hiss. I felt the enemy's twisted aura, but my Spirit Projection hummed steadily. The corruption recoiled.
We advanced.
3rd POV – Cathedral Ramparts, Moments Before Collapse
Serkan fought with a broken blade, his cloak torn. Gaius cleaved through hybrids with ruthless economy. Vorn shouted litanies, fists blazing with righteous fury.
But they were failing. Then, the sky cracked.
A figure fell from heaven like divine wrath. Shawn landed at the heart of the swarm, twin blades slicing in radiant arcs. Haki exploded outward, vaporizing twisted flesh.
Vulkar joined him, his hammer a star of collapsing force. Tahak danced between shadows, striking with surgical perfection. Basur shattered the enemy line in a tide of fury.
The loyalist Astartes froze, stunned.
Serkan whispered, "What are they?"
"Salamanders," Vorn answered. "But more."
"And that one?"
"Not a Space Marine. Something else."
Shawn Newman POV – Leading the Flame
I moved between Serkan and Vorn, deflecting a clawed monstrosity with my blade and cleaving it in half. "Fall in," I commanded. "Push to the eastern square."
There was hesitation. Then, something changed. My Will met theirs. Not in dominance, but in harmony. They obeyed, instinctively, as if we had fought together a hundred times.
Basur bellowed laughter as he threw a car-sized beast off the ramparts. "They're tough, these new brothers. I like them."
Tahak added, "But unrefined."
Serkan glanced at me. "You're not Astartes. Yet they follow you."
"I follow purpose," I replied. "Follow me, and you'll see what that means."
He said nothing, but stepped into formation.
3rd POV – Inquisitor Valen and Magos Eristan
From the temporary command post near the drop site, Valen and Eristan observed through datascreens. The psyker's brow furrowed.
"This unity," Valen murmured, "he's commanding not through fear or genetics, but through shared will. Even hardened Astartes yield."
"The Machine-Spirit of our vessel has bonded with his energy signature," Eristan added. "Curious."
Valen inhaled. "He is building something greater than an army. He is forging a faith."
Mortal Forces POV – PDF Survivors
Behind the Astartes, mortal remnants of the local PDF clung to survival. Many had never seen Space Marines. Fewer still had seen Salamanders. None had seen anything like Shawn.
One whispered, "Is he a Primarch returned?"
Another wept. "He burned the monsters with his hands. With light."
They followed the Salamanders not out of duty, but awe.
3rd POV – Enemy Broken, Aftermath
By nightfall, the enemy was crushed. The cathedral was retaken. The holy relics of Saint Dravion reclaimed.
The loyalist Astartes stood with Shawn, unsure of their next step. Serkan finally asked, "What are you planning?"
Shawn stood tall. "A crusade. Not of vengeance. Of cleansing. A flame to light the dark. I want you with me."
They looked to one another. Gaius grinned. "I'm in."
Vorn bowed. "Faith demands I follow."
Solan stepped forward. "Then let's bring the fire."