Welcome back to our thrilling multi-part exploration of Warhammer 40,000 lore. Today, we delve deep into the blood-soaked battlefield of Istvaan 5 and the tumultuous symbiosis between Argel Tal, the first of the Gal Vorbak, and the Neverborn known as Raum.
Imagine the scene: The battle rages on, the cries of the fallen echoing through the smoke-filled air. Argel Tal, the Crimson Lord himself, watches from the depths of his own body, his consciousness momentarily relegated as Raum takes the helm. The transition is seamless, a result of decades of silent acclimatization. Freed from the constraints of the human mind, Raum revels in the carnage, his every strike enhanced by the symbiosis, ripping limbs from enemies with ease, reveling in the pain and suffering he inflicts.
But as the victory draws closer, Argel Tal senses Raum's consciousness slipping away. The Neverborn, sated by the bloodshed, retreats, leaving Argel Tal once again in control, feeling used, drained, and bone-tired. Yet, there's a sense of contentment. The symbiosis has stabilized, and Argel Tal finds himself able to remove his helmet and armor again.
But even as the Chaos forces celebrate their victory on Istvaan 5, a new challenge awaits Argel Tal aboard the "De Profundis". Custodian Aquillon has discovered a horrifying sanctuary where astropaths are being tortured. He confronts the Confessor, believing her to be in the know, but things escalate quickly. In the ensuing battle, Argel Tal tries desperately to awaken Raum, to tap into his strength, but the daemon remains dormant.
Only when the scent of Cyrene Valantion's blood hits Raum's senses does he stir. In a tragic turn of events, she dies in Argel Tal's arms, condemning his transformation with her dying breath. The loss of Cyrene, the Confessor he'd protected for decades, hits Argel Tal hard. All he has to remember her by is her final writings and Aquillon's golden sword.
This sword, a weapon genetically programmed to work only in the hands of its owner, becomes a symbol of Argel Tal's own failures. Despite the temptation to destroy it, he keeps it as a reminder of his punishment. This isn't the first such weapon in Argel Tal's collection, but its significance is unmistakable.
Argel Tal, the leader of the Gal Vorbak, is known by many names. He earned the title "Crimson Lord" not in the early years of the Heresy as commonly believed, but following the transformation of the Serrated Sun Chapter and the change of his armor to red.
The Drop Site Massacre decimates the Order's strength, but Argel Tal doesn't falter. He requests the Primark to create a new union from the survivors, the Chapter of Consecrated Iron, a symbol of the Legion's rebirth and transformation.
During the Shadow Crusade in Ultramar, Argel Tal holds a position of trust among Lorgar's officers, proving his sincere devotion to the Primark. Despite the guilt and regret weighing him down, Argel Tal and Raum continue to interact harmoniously, trusting in each other and the bond they share.
Stay tuned for the next installment in this series, where we delve deeper into the lore of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, exploring more thrilling battles, complex relationships, and the profound transformations of its characters.
Leave a Reply