Welcome to another thrilling installment of our Warhammer 40,000 lore series where we delve into the enigmatic and intriguing world of the Iron Hands, a chapter of Space Marines known for their cold, machine-like demeanor. Today, we explore the Iron Hands’ mission of subjugating the world of Caldera, an expedition that revealed more than just their prowess in battle.
The Caldera mission, archived under number 1544, was no ordinary conquest. This planet was shared by Eldar and human descendants from the Salamander’s home world of Nocturn, who had previously been freed from Duari captivity by their Craft World kin. The Iron Hands were allies with the Salamanders Legion and Death Guard, but this alliance was not enough to quell the confusion sowed by the Eldar’s cunning tactics.
The Imperial Army, in particular, fell into panic, many becoming victims of their own fear. To make matters worse, unsettling nightmares plagued the Iron Hands’ Primarch, Ferrus Manus, causing him unease. These dreams were of fighting in ominous Black Sands, a foreboding premonition that added a layer of complexity to the mission.
The Eldar, masters of manipulation, separated Ferrus Manus from his sons during one of the battles, using their mysterious magic to tamper with the bionic parts of the Imperial forces. The Eldar foresaw Ferrus Manus’ future and tried to warn him, locking him in a psychic labyrinth, a decision that sparked debates even among the Eldar.
In this labyrinth, Ferrus found himself in a seemingly endless cave, lit only by a sliver of light penetrating through a crevice in the dome. Ancient columns, cracked frescoes, and statues worn by time extended under the dome’s vault. A headless statue of a noble warrior seemed to point an accusatory finger at Ferrus, an eerie omen that hung heavy in the air.
As Ferrus ventured further into the cave, he was enveloped by a mournful song, inducing an unfamiliar feeling of sorrow. Visions of his brothers on the brink of death, and an image of the Dead Emperor, consumed Ferrus. He was incensed, yearning to destroy those who tried to deceive him, but the Eldar remained elusive. Instead, they planted more visions in Ferrus’ mind, deafening battle scenes and the horrifying death of his first Captain, Gabriel Santar.
The visions were torturous, but Ferrus held strong, dispelling the nightmare and finding himself back in the cave, now bisected by a stone bridge. A steep staircase awaited him on the other side of the abyss, flanked by massive marble statues, each bearing totemic masks and joined hands in the sign of the Aquila.
One statue caught Ferrus’ eye, a figure with snakes intertwining into a bun, eerily similar to that of the mythical Gorgon. As Ferrus reached out, he found he couldn’t touch it. Another statue, a skeletal figure holding a scythe, loomed ominously as Ferrus began his ascent.
As we delve deeper into the Iron Hands’ journey on Caldera, we learn more about their struggles, their resilience, and the mysterious forces they contend with. Stay tuned for our next post, where we continue to unravel the intriguing lore of Warhammer 40,000.
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