The atmosphere fell into an eerie stalemate, but soon, Captain Afiel, his blood boiling with Fury, broke the silence.
He was the first to charge forward, and the other Blood Angels quickly found their respective opponents, making a death match inevitable.
The Blood Angel, severely wounded by a scythe, was dragged behind cover by his Battle Brother; his two hearts saved his life, but he was still in shock.
Since there was no Blood Angels Apothecary present, Sister Arabella took on the task of treating him. After laying down a sterile sheet, she removed his MK4 helmet, connected a breathing mask, and used the short saw on her arm to cut open his ceramite Power Armor chest plate, applying the power of faith.
It was also at this moment that Horatio, who had arrived, clearly saw the Blood Angel's face. He had Stereo features, flowing golden curly hair, and the iconic handsome face of a Blood Angel.
People always marvel at the handsome faces of the Blood Angels, but how many know of the bloodline curse hidden deep behind that handsomeness?
[+This might be useful+]
Horatio handed Sister Arabella a "Martyr's Gift" battlefield emergency first aid kit. This was a high-grade disposable aid kit issued by the Childer of Loyalty troops, capable of saving a life in the most critical situations.
[+Having this is a great help, thank you+]
Sister Arabella said to Horatio, pressing her palms together.
Horatio nodded and immediately returned to the battlefield.
The others used precise shooting to help the Blood Angels gain an advantage on the battlefield. He picked up the Blood Angel's Chainsword.
It was larger and longer than the Battle Sisters's Chainsword. Horatio, with his iron hand, could still wield it with one hand, or choose to wield it with both hands.
Through his iron hand's perception of the machine soul, he could clearly feel that this sword's machine soul was even more turbulent and surging, like an angel deep in bloodthirst, eager to gorge itself on the enemy's blood.
Clang! Clang!
Surprisingly, Captain Afiel, and this mysterious scythe-wielding warrior were locked in a fierce, evenly matched battle.
From his bulky, solid heavy armor, the enemy looked like a Death Shroud Warrior.
But Horatio knew that, whether in tabletop games or lore, Death Shroud, as a Primarch's bodyguard, were top-tier close combat masters and not easy to deal with.
In a relatively open area, the scythe perfectly displayed its advantages.
The Death Shroud Warrior swung horizontally and vertically, sweeping up and down, making it difficult for Captain Afiel, to get close with his Power Sword, forcing him to win by skill.
Both sides moved extremely fast, even creating afterimages at times, beyond what ordinary people could interfere with.
But Horatio was no ordinary person.
'+Activate: Psyker Harmonization+'
'+Activate: Power Fist+'
'+Activate: Precognition Shard+'
'+Energy: 0/7+'
'+Psykic: 5/7+'
'+Corruption: 6/7+'
'+Soulfire: 22/80+'
This time, he still harmonized with Sister Arabella's abilities.
After all, he couldn't harmonize with a smelly tin can, could he?
The Chainsword, inlaid with blood drops, was coated with a faint golden glow.
The reason he chose to act was that he noticed Captain Afiel, was fighting increasingly unusually.
Blood Angels Second Company had an unknown secret—the reason their Black Rage probability was low was because they completely succumbed to the bloodthirst.
This was an ancient tradition of the Second Company; the warriors of the pure-blood company believed that only by succumbing to the Red Thirst could they control it.
Aphael encouraged this tradition; he himself had undergone this ritual before obtaining the title of Company Commander.
The pros and cons of doing so were obvious: they were more prone to exhibiting a craving for blood, but less likely to be controlled by the Black Rage.
As his Fury surged, Aphael's attacks became increasingly fierce. He unleashed his bloodthirst and prepared to fully succumb to it, which would help him win and kill the fallen traitor before him.
But the cost was that he would need to drink the blood of mortals after the battle.
Although the Blood Angels had bottled blood bags, Horatio didn't know if Captain Afiel, could wait until then.
He revered the Blood Angels, but he didn't want himself or his teammates to become their beverage to quench their bloodthirst.
Horatio seized an opening in the attack and charged straight forward.
[+This is not your battle, mortal!+]
After Captain Afiel, fell into bloodthirst, his tone lost the humble gentleness of their first meeting, leaving only overwhelming Fury.
[+I'm very sorry, sir, but we are Imperial Navy, and I must fight to reclaim the battleship+]
Horatio's words brought Captain Afiel, some rationality back from the Fury brought on by the bloodthirst.
Captain Afiel, didn't speak, perhaps tacitly allowing this mortal, who could single-handedly wield a Blood Angel's Chainsword, to participate in his battle.
He flashed to the side, dodging the scythe's blade, and from the flank, drew the attention of the Death Shroud Warrior.
Horatio and he attacked simultaneously. To maximize damage, he chose to wield the sword with both hands, unleashing all his strength.
The Death Shroud Warrior swung his scythe in place; any fool who dared to get close would be cut in half.
Horatio raised his hand and released holy light, attempting to blind his eyes with it.
But this agile fellow covered himself with his cloak, and the holy light only slightly flashed his eyes.
Horatio sneered, seizing the opportunity to focus his psychic energy and use the Emperor's Flame on him.
The Death Shroud Warrior saw Horatio's intended action and swung his scythe at his head.
Clang!
Captain Afiel, swung his sword upwards, deflecting the scythe's sharp blade.
Horatio suddenly clenched his hand.
Whoosh—
Surging flames ignited on the Death Shroud's body.
He quickly retreated, tearing at his burning cloak.
Captain Afiel, seized the opportunity to advance, delivering a fierce cleave that broke through a part of his Terminator Power Armor on his abdomen.
The Death Shroud Warrior suddenly released a circle of toxic mist, extinguishing the flames.
Clearly, merely harmonizing with Sister Arabella's power was not enough to contend with such a powerful warrior.
Suddenly, he howled and turned his head to look behind him.
A small, exquisite Power Dagger was stuck in his back.
David Beatty von Ravensburg, like a thief caught stealing offerings, immediately shrank back behind cover.
By the time the Death Shroud Warrior turned his head, Horatio and Captain Afiel, had already charged and closed in on him.
Aphael was faster and a Space Marine Company Commander, so he was the Death Shroud Warrior's primary target of defense.
Clang—
He didn't expect Aphael to intentionally strike his scythe. With the bloodthirst Fury enhancing him, he easily used immense strength to press the scythe down, exposing the fat hand gripping the scythe handle.
Horatio seized the opportunity and struck the gauntlet with his sword.
Buzz!!!—
Under the Emperor's mighty power, the Chainsword's machine soul finally gnawed into flesh and blood. Although it was corrupted, it accepted all comers.
It drilled downwards frantically, violently sawing through the heavy Terminator Power Armor.
With another roar, the Death Shroud Warrior struggled to retreat, his pus-dripping Power Gauntlet falling to the ground.
Captain Afiel, was a pure warrior; he would not let go of any weakness the enemy exposed.
Wielding the scythe with one hand was much clumsier than with two. Captain Afiel, was extremely agile. He gripped the scythe handle with one hand, and with the other, thrust his Power Sword towards the Death Shroud Warrior's chest.
The disintegrating field pierced through the Terminator Armor, and the sword plunged deep, impaling him through and through.
Thanks to Nurgle's blessings, he was not yet dead and even had the strength to resist.
Captain Afiel, punched the traitor in the face, kicking him to the ground.
The Death Shroud Warrior still clutched Captain Afiel's hand tightly, preventing him from pulling the Power Sword out of his body.
Before the Second Company Commander could draw his spare short sword from his waist.
Horatio charged forward, revving the Blood Angel's Chainsword to maximum power, and swung it at the Death Shroud's head.
One strike, two strikes.
Three strikes, four strikes.
Horatio was surprised to find that after tasting blood, this sword compelled his body to swing, to wantonly drink flesh and blood. The blood that stained the blade mysteriously disappeared, as if it had been consumed.
The surrounding Blood Angels also fell into bloodthirst one after another. They disregarded their pain and the stench, unleashing their Fury with the most extreme violence upon the traitors of ten thousand years of hatred.
For a time, flesh and blood flew everywhere. If a Chainsword got stuck in putrid flesh, they would smash it with a bolter pistol. If the pistol broke, they would tear at the flesh with their bare hands.
No matter what they held in their hands, they would swing it at the Death Guard's head, then let out a terrifying roar towards the sky.
The originally magnificent offensive moves had completely transformed into the most primitive and terrifying slaughter.
Captain Afiel, even wielded his Power Sword like a lion tearing at its prey, shredding the Death Shroud Warrior beneath his feet into pieces.
Neither the Battle Sisterss nor the Hellspawns had ever seen such a display from the death angels.
They never would have imagined that these noble and beautiful Blood Angels could be so terrifying on the battlefield, completely embodying pure violence.
As the last Plague Marine fell to the ground, the remaining Blood Angels staggered to their feet, turning their heads woodenly and mechanically to look at the mortals behind them.