Someone approaches. An Astartes battle-brother is moving out of the emptiness ahead. He approaches warily. Why is his war-axe raised ready?
“What... what is this?' he cries out to the legionary, showing his hands empty and wishing they were not dripping with gore. The Astartes stops five metres away. He too is spattered in blood, his war plate dented and buckled. He keeps his axe raised.
"You can speak?' he calls out.
'Do you know me?' the Astartes demands.
'Yes!' he answers. He swallows. He has to think. A Space Wolf. A captain. He knows this battle-brother, but the pain in his head... 'Sartak," he says. 'You are Odi Sartak”
The Wolf of Fenris lowers his weapon slightly, but not entirely.
'Brother," he says to the lone Wolf. 'Sartak... What is happening? I... I have lost my mind.”
“I would say so," Sartak replies.
“What do you mean? Tell me-'
"The enemy is in retreat, Angel-son," says Sartak carefully. 'Full retreat. It happened suddenly, just minutes ago. They had us cold, but now they are pouring out of the Palace like rats. Something has happened. No one knows what. There is a rumour that the Warmaster is dead. That the Emperor has vanquished him. But it's just a rumour. No one knows anything. There's panic everywhere. Can you fight?'
“Well, there's fighting to be done. A great deal more. Impressive deeds to be performed. The traitors have turned back, and let go of their victory, but that doesn't mean that victory is ours. Not by any means.'
He nods. He understands. 'Sartak? Why you are wary of me?'
The Wolf sniffs. It's almost a laugh. "You have no idea?' Sartak asks.
“No. I... I can't remember. Do you know who I am?'
'Of course. You are Nassir Amit of the Blood Angels Fifth Company”
Amit. Nassir Amit. It comes back now, memories made of pain and torment, all of them glossy and red. Amit sways. He stumbles across the passageway, and leans against the wall to steady himself. Sartak watches him every step, his war-axe ready.
“Give me a moment, brother," Amit says. He tries to clear his throat again. He will never be rid of that taste. "I will come with you. Fighting to be done, as you say. We must secure our position. We...”
“Horus is dead?' Amit asks.
'Will you lower the axe?' he asks. 'Can you lower your axe?'
Sartak frowns for a moment, then slowly eases the axe down. Amit wipes his mouth. He looks back at the long and grisly line of bodies.
“Wolf?' he asks. 'Why do the bodies stop here?'
“Because this is as far as you got,” replies Odi Sartak.
The End and the Death Volume III
