The devastation of her home planet was a harsh blow to Cyrene Valantion, but instead of becoming a symbol of defeat, she emerged as a beacon of resilience. The Word Bearer Captain saw in her a living testament to the potential consequences of failure. Yet, even in the face of calamity, Cyrene refused to give up, refusing the offer of augmetic eyes and choosing to adapt to a life of darkness. This determination marked her with a divine blessing in the eyes of the 17th Legion, painting a picture of what could happen if they too learned to adapt and grow from their failures.
Argel Tal, the captain, had always believed in the righteousness of the Great Crusade. He saw the Imperium as a force of good, uniting humanity and obliterating those who refused to accept the Imperial Truth. He didn’t question this doctrine until the tragedy of Monarchia shook his beliefs. After a brutal battle on a planet of crystal towers and diamond and obsidian robots, Argel Tal found himself questioning his previously unshakeable faith.
Lorgar, the Primarch, spoke of an ancient faith and a pilgrimage to find a place where mortals could meet the Gods. Argel Tal found himself drawn to this idea, and he spent four months immersing himself in the philosophy of this old faith. His time was filled with conversations with Cyrene Valantion and training battles against Custodian Aquillon, a formidable opponent who commanded respect despite his aloofness.
This journey of self-discovery was not without its guilt. As Argel Tal learned of the Legion’s struggles in his absence, he felt a pang of regret, knowing that his company could have made a difference. But his duty to support the Primarch in his endeavors was paramount, and he chose to stand by Lorgar’s side.
Upon his return to Colchis, Argel Tal was tasked with escorting Cyrene to a meeting with Lorgar. This was no simple task, as rumors of Cyrene’s divine blessing had spread among the people. The populace, raised under theocratic rule for millennia, saw her as a saintly figure, and they longed to touch her, hoping to gain some of her luck. Despite the chaos, Argel Tal admitted to holding a religious reverence for Cyrene, for it was she who had helped him and his fellow Space Marines find their way in the aftermath of Monarchia.
As they moved through the capital’s square, the Astartes followed a long-standing tradition, handing out scrolls from their armor to the jubilant citizens. This simple act was seen as a blessing by the people. But the true blessing was the presence of Cyrene Valantion, a symbol of resilience and hope. She represented a new direction for the Word Bearers, a path of adaptation and growth, a testament to the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
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