Ramsey strode forward through the shadows. He intended to deliver the final blow to the Osseivores before it could rise.
Ten meters from its head, the "Shadow Ascetic" mobilized all his remaining psychic energy, unleashing a murmuring whisper.
The "Silent Ravings," which he had obtained by "listening" to the C'tan Shard, the Silent Cry, in the Solar System's Elysian Gate region, had remained unused on the Black Emperor's orders.
Now was the perfect moment. The Osseivores was too powerful; he didn't want the Tenth Chapter to suffer more losses.
The branches on the Osseivores's body writhed, bracing against the ground as it tried to rise.
Suddenly, an ethereal, barely-there whispering filled its mind.
It saw hundreds of creatures of various sizes appear before it: tiny humans and much larger Basmemaniqs.
Seeing its favorite food, its branches lashed out instantly, coiling tightly around the form of a Basmemaniq.
The metal hide screeched under the crushing pressure.
When the branches atop its head loosened, the tough metal hide fell away, along with flesh and blood.
The bones were then fed into the gaping maw, wrapped tightly by more branches.
The branches, like countless pythons, tore the Basmemaniq apart in an instant.
Having feasted on a delicious meal, the Osseivores's branches quivered slightly.
While the Osseivores was trapped in the dreamscape conjured by the "Silent Ravings," Ramsey reached its head.
To his sight, the Osseivores had never moved. It would not awaken; it would meet its death in slumber.
As the Osseivores gorged itself, its branches reaching for humans as a post-meal snack, Ramsey swung his staff, hurling a ball of lightning at the branches.
Lightning raged through the branches. Amid crackling pops, the black branches shattered inch by inch, falling to the ground like dust.
Trapped in its dream, the Osseivores didn't roar in fury. Its body remained motionless, slain in silence by Ramsey from within the shadows.
The "Shadow Ascetic's" psychic energy was depleted, unable to maintain his "Shadow Lurking". His body slowly materialized before the Shadow of Orders of the Tenth Chapter.
The Honor Guard Commander was the first to react. Remembering the black cat, he said on the comm channel.
"It was Ramsey. He delivered the final blow to the Osseivores."
"Truly a messenger of shadow. Silently and invisibly, he slew the Osseivores."
Ramsey, his face pale, suddenly felt something within him boil like nutrient porridge. He thought to himself,
'I have become a true "Shadow Ascetic."'
The throbbing in his temples gradually subsided. The whispering that had lingered in his ears faded.
But he also felt his throat burning. He knew this was the consequence of using power beyond his own life's level.
The surviving Legio Cybernetica units looked up at the black-armored giant standing atop the fallen Osseivores.
Even with their most advanced auspex, they couldn't fully perceive the majestic figure beneath the black cloak.
They withdrew their gaze in disappointment, longing to see who had slain the powerful xeno that destroyed the God-Machine.
Two solar hours after Ramsey killed the Osseivores, Arsena received the Tenth Chapter's report and hurriedly reported to the Black Emperor.
"My Lord, the Tenth Chapter encountered an Osseivores during their assault on Xana Forge-Temple Prime."
"Falk was killed in action. Ramsey avenged him, slaying the Osseivores."
"The Rangdan xenos' morale collapsed with the Osseivores' death. The Tenth Chapter broke the encirclement and is expected to clear the surrounding area of xenos within five solar hours."
Nareth's eyes flickered with surprise. Ramsey, even at Sequence 7 with his powerful psychic abilities, was no match for a formidable Osseivores in direct combat.
Reviewing the battle report, he keenly noticed the Osseivores had not moved after falling.
'Ramsey must have used "Silent Ravings." Though his psychic energy couldn't fully unleash the power derived from the C'tan, it was enough to trap the heavily wounded Osseivores in a dream.'
As Nareth pondered, Arsena reminded him with some concern.
"My Lord, who will succeed Falk as Chapter Master of the Tenth Chapter?"
Nareth fell into thought. No one in the Tenth Chapter was his ideal candidate for Chapter Master. After a few seconds of consideration, he spoke.
"Ramsey will succeed him. His abilities are sufficient, and he avenged Falk. He is the most suitable candidate."
"By your will."
Having decided on the Tenth Chapter's Lord, Nareth spoke to Arsena.
"You will represent me. Go to Forge-Temple Prime and negotiate with Xana's Archmagos Intendant."
"Xana must restart its forges as soon as possible and restore production capacity, becoming a beachhead for our counter-offensive."
"Negotiate on the grounds that we relieved their Forge World and reduced their losses. But the terms will differ from before."
Nareth knew Xana II would retreat into the Eye of Terror after the Heresy. Things like supplies and alliances would lose long-term significance. His goal was to take whatever he could get.
"Demand technology sharing and weapons production for my Legion. Tailor your demands to the situation with the Archmagos Intendant"
"Tell him that after relieving Xana, I will also help them take revenge on the xenos."
Nareth knew the Rangdan invasion of the Forge-Temple was, to any tech-priest, a desecration of the Omnissiah.
In his memory, Xana would later commit fully, deploying the Taghmata Omnissiah military operational force to seek revenge on the Rangdan.
"Tell Xana's Archmagos Intendant that I will leave behind a contingent and a Ramillies-class starfort to provide future protection for Xana."
"Xana, having just suffered invasion, will surely be interested in this."
Nareth hoped to acquire some good things from Xana through this, while also exerting influence. During the Heresy, when Xana split, he could use the starfort as a base to plunder benefits.
At the very least, he wanted to seize half the resources Xana controlled.
"Also, request a roster of the Legio Cybernetica."
"Tell the Archmagos Intendant this is my request. The reason is I need to coordinate operations with their commander."
"Pay close attention to the name Anacharis Scoria. Once found, report to me immediately."
If Arkhan Land and Malevolus represented the peak of technical ability among tech-priests, Anacharis was the ceiling of personal combat power.
Of course, this excluded Titans requiring an entire crew to pilot. Warhounds and the like posed no threat to him either.
An ordinary tech-priest typically had only one mechadendrite. Anacharis, however, invented the strategium array. He had over a dozen mechadendrites on his back, capable of wielding different powerful weapons simultaneously for coordinated attacks.
Not only was he immensely powerful, but after ruling Xana and being called the Father of the Hell-Forges, he transformed it into the first Hell-Forge in history, earning him the title Tyrant of Xana.
This future ruler of Xana, Anacharis, served as commander of the Taghmata Scoria during the Rangdan War. He should still be an unknown, young tech-priest.
If he could "corrode" Anacharis, he would gain a talented individual and seize most of Xana's people and resources in the future.
"As you command, My Lord."
Nareth rose. He decided to go inspect the Osseivores. It likely carried potion ingredients on its body.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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