Finally, the gates of the upper hive opened!
However, it was slightly different from what many soldiers and civilians had imagined; they weren't waiting for reinforcements, but for a deluge of Warp demons, pouring out like a tide!
It was as if floodgates had opened, and they surged towards the Mid Hive!
But... when it rains, it pours. The cultists in the Lower Hive, taking advantage of the PDF's chaos and plummeting morale, completely abandoned their previous habit of never fighting at night and surged from the Lower Hive towards the Mid Hive!
In just a few minutes, the 'Maginot' line meticulously constructed by the PDF, Riot Control, and the Adeptus Arbites was easily breached by the cultists, one after another, within minutes!
The Warp demons pouring out of the upper hive were surprisingly cunning; they didn't target the front lines of the Defense Force, but instead went straight for the rear, for the ordinary people who were originally in the protected zone!
Immediately, screams and wails were incessant.
Under the demons' rampage and slaughter, countless people died every second, and blood almost converged in every street.
The panicked crowd shrieked, seemingly losing control, and broke through the defense lines set up by the Adeptus Arbites!
If one were to look from above.
One could clearly see groups of demons, like herding sheep, driving all the terrified, irrational people towards the Defense Force on the front lines!
And what about the Defense Force on the front lines?
The situation was equally grim; cultists were breaking through the defense lines one after another, coupled with the Warp demons rampaging in the rear, nearly ninety percent of the soldiers had completely lost their will to fight!
"Run, Chaos is here!"
"Run, run, run!"
"No, don't kill me..."
Crowding, trampling, shoving... countless soldiers of the Defense Force completely threw aside concepts like battle lines and tactics, their only thought being retreat!
To a farther, safer position!
Watching the completely disorganized Defense Force, retreating in a panic like refugees, easily slaughtered by the cultists, it was hard to imagine... this was a well-trained army that had even suppressed the cultists in the battles of the previous days.
Morale is truly a mysterious thing.
Invisible, intangible, yet undeniably real.
When morale was high and hope existed, despite the difficulties, the PDF could still hold their ground, engaging in close combat and fighting with the fanatical cultists.
However... with morale collapsed and all hope lost, the PDF actually turned their backs on the enemy, pushing, shoving, and trampling their comrades, completely devolving into The Great Escape!
"Everyone hold your ground, no retreating!"
Commissar Gray tried his best to stabilize the collapsing morale and defense line, but alas... when caught between two fires, even the Astra Militarum would find it hard to maintain composure.
Let alone... the PDF?
"Get back! Get back to the front line!" Commissar Gray kicked down a soldier trying to escape, pointing his gun at his head, roaring with bloodshot eyes: "Execution squad, if anyone dares to retreat one step, shoot him immediately!"
However, after the order was given, no one responded.
Commissar Gray froze for a few seconds, then looked back with some disbelief... besides a bitter-faced Emrys, even the communications officer had run off.
Not just the execution squad, the entire line was in full retreat!
No one was listening to orders anymore; everyone, driven by instinct, without purpose or direction, fled frantically like a startled flock of sheep!
"It's over."
Commissar Gray's eyes were bloodshot, yet he was powerless, drawing his gun and looking around in confusion, completely at a loss for what to do.
In such a situation, no Commissar or Commander could rally these routed troops.
Boost morale?
Don't be silly, from the moment the upper hive gate was opened and the Warp demons poured out, any talk of boosting morale became utterly useless!
"We... lost..."
Commissar Gray's heart was filled with bitterness as he dejectedly watched the completely routed army, chased around like pigs, dogs, and livestock by cultists and demons, his eyes filled with disappointment.
If it were the Astra Militarum, there might have been a chance to turn the tide!
But these PDF soldiers were not the Emperor's warriors; to be more precise, they were likely the planetary governor's private army, possessing neither pure faith nor exquisite skills.
It was precisely because of this.
That Gray had gone to great lengths to conceal the situation in the upper hive, fearing it would cause a collapse in morale, but now... it was meaningless; all that awaited them was slaughter by Chaos!
And just then, from all directions, came the shouts of 'Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne!'
It was the Khorne cult!
"Commissar, we must retreat now!" Emrys glanced at the bio-map, where dense red heat signatures clearly indicated that they were already surrounded!
"Alright."
Although Commissar Gray was very unwilling, he had no other choice now but to retreat.
The defensive fortifications around the command post were built extremely sturdy; even if the cultists had a numerical advantage, it wouldn't be easy to crack this tough nut in a short time.
And this, precisely, bought Emrys crucial time!
"185th Regiment, 3rd Company, all 47 men, assembled!"
Ditz wiped the blood from his face, revealing a simple, honest smile.
Behind him were the 3rd Company's remaining 47 men; almost every one of them carried injuries, some more, some less, looking utterly miserable, but the only difference was... in each of their eyes, there was an indomitable will to fight!
"Company Commander, give the order, let's fight those bastards to the death!"
"That's right, give the order, Company Commander, we're not afraid to die!"
Looking at the 3rd Company, whose morale was soaring, Emrys took a deep breath, somewhat moved, his eyes slightly red, and shouted: "Everyone, follow me and the Commissar, we're retreating!"
Not all of the Defense Force was in retreat!
A very small portion still resisted Chaos and the cultists with stubbornness and tenacity, according to their respective situations!
The 3rd Company of the 185th Regiment was one of them!
Although not everyone could understand this order, a Company Commander was a Company Commander, and they still decided to obey!
"You are simply a born Commander!" Looking at the 3rd Company soldiers, who miraculously still possessed the will to fight and didn't doubt orders in the slightest, even Commissar Gray found it astonishing.
One must know, this was without an execution squad, purely from the heart, which only left one possibility... that Emrys had extremely high prestige within this company!
To gain such high prestige in the company in just a few days, through an airdrop.
Gray had seen such people before.
And without exception, those people eventually became 'Heroes' renowned throughout the Astra Militarum, and even the Imperium!
In Emrys... Gray saw hope.
But, just as everyone was retreating.
Suddenly, the sturdy defensive fortifications were shattered by an overwhelmingly powerful force; the terrifying aftershocks vibrated, and the visible airwaves directly knocked them all flying!
Emrys, falling to the ground, immediately felt an ominous premonition; immense fear swept over him, and endless slaughter and gore, accompanied by terrifying gale-force winds, arrived!
"Merlin... Emrys!!!"
It was Gawain's voice!
This time, Emrys finally heard clearly; he was certain it was Gawain!
The 'Khorne Chosen' split the sturdy fortifications with a single axe blow, stepping over the collapsed ruins and debris, clad in the blasphemous Blood God armor, like an invincible god of war.
His crimson gaze locked onto Emrys' direction, letting out an earth-shattering roar: "Coward—fight!!!"
Damn it, Khorne is still chasing me?!
Emrys cursed angrily; last time, with heavy artillery cover, he barely managed to escape, what should he do this time?
The air was thick with the scent of blood, and a surging malice from the Empyrean swept over them like a tidal wave!
Cold! Trembling! Fear!
A myriad of emotions flooded Emrys' heart.
Countless cultists outside had them completely surrounded!
He could clearly see on his bio-scanner that the area was covered with dense red dots, which were undoubtedly the life-heat signatures of the cultists.
They were already heavily besieged, and if nothing unexpected happened... no one would make it out of here to live!
"C-Captain, let's fight them to the death!"
The remaining 47 men of the 3rd Company, 185th Regiment, gripped their weapons tightly.
Amidst their heavy, low breaths, they had long been prepared to dedicate their lives to the Imperium and the God-Emperor at any moment. Their eyes showed a look of facing death as if returning home, resolute and determined, with not a single person shrinking back or showing fear.
However, what was surprising was that the cultists, like madmen, did not attempt to gang up on Emrys and his men after surrounding them. They even deliberately left a large empty area.
Wielding the Daemon axe bestowed by the Blood God, the 'Chosen' stepped into that area. His aggressively crimson eyes burned with battle intent, and in a hoarse, sharp tone, a mix of two voices, he issued a challenge: "Emrys… I, in the name of the 'Blood God,' challenge you!"
No wonder... they specifically left an empty area!
Emrys' mouth twitched slightly. Khorne really 'liked' him, going so far as to have his blessed 'Chosen' draw a circle to duel him!
"Tsk, kid... you've been hiding a lot of things."
Commissar Gray, standing nearby, gave him a meaningful look and slowly said, "Only the most valuable and recognized enemies receive 'equality' from Khorne. A duel like this, witnessed by the Blood God... I haven't seen it many times even on Cadia. What exactly did you do, kid?"
"I killed his followers and called him a coward a few times..."
Emrys looked pained, gritting his teeth, "If I had known he held such a grudge, I wouldn't have run my mouth back then, damn it!"
He was, after all, one of the five... no, four Great Gods of the Warp, yet his heart was smaller than a needle. Was it really necessary to hold a grudge until now, even sending a 'Chosen' to collect the debt, just because he had a foul mouth a few times?
Emrys swore he would never run his mouth again!
"It seems... there's no escape." Looking at the cultists around them, whose shouts shook the heavens and whose eyes glowed red, it was clear that refusing would result in being ganged up on and beaten to death!
A duel or a group assault... the choice wasn't difficult.
"To hell with Chaos, Captain, don't waste words with these scum! So what if we die? We're not afraid, let's fight them!" The younger Ditz, though hot-headed, greatly respected his Captain.
Because only Emrys treated them as people.
As he spoke, all 47 men of the 3rd Company responded.
"That's right, Captain, why duel with a bunch of Chaos scum?"
"Exactly, we're not afraid of death, we've lived long enough anyway!"
"Right, I'll die if I die, but I'll take a few with me. To hell with dueling!"
They all knew that with the 'monster's' destructive power, even if the Captain agreed to a duel, the outcome would likely be similar to the defensive fortifications outside: being chopped into meat paste with an axe, smeared on the ground so thoroughly it couldn't be scraped off.
If that was the case, why duel?
Death was inevitable either way. Better to take a few of those Chaos bastards and heretics down with them before they died, at least that would be a final contribution to the Imperium!
But... after a moment of silence, Emrys looked at the 'Chosen' waiting for an answer in the arena and slowly said, "If I win, will you let us leave?"
"Yes."
Khorne's Chosen sneered, his unique two-toned voice sounding as if he was mocking Emrys' overestimation of himself.
"Good, I..."
Emrys didn't care about the details and was about to agree.
Even if the odds were low, at least if he won, there was hope of bringing all these remaining forces out!
The 47 men of the 3rd Company... every single one of them was his hard work!
However, just as Emrys made up his mind to fight Khorne's 'Chosen,' Gawain, to the death, he was stopped by Commissar Gray beside him.
"Kid, the duel... it's not your turn yet."
Gray took off his military jacket, revealing his lean, muscular physique. His body, like cast iron, was covered in dense, crisscrossing scars, some even in vital areas!
Undoubtedly, this was a battle-hardened veteran!
His fierce killing intent and unwavering will were in no way inferior to that of the 'Chosen' blessed by the 'Blood God'!
Then, Gray turned and entered the military tent. When he reappeared, he held an ancient-looking, thick-bladed battle sword with a handguard!
The grip of the thick-bladed battle sword had a special mechanical device.
The blade was straight, nearly a meter long, and in terms of forging style, it resembled a curved blade, but its heavy spine undoubtedly increased its weight and the lethality of its slashes!
But what truly shocked Emrys was that the weapon Gray was using, if he wasn't mistaken... should be a Mark III Power Sword, specially issued by the Departmento Munitorum to outstanding Astra Militarum soldiers and even Inquisitors!
A Power Sword was a symbol of status and honor!
The controller on its hilt would envelop the blade in a highly destructive, disruptive field, capable of easily cutting through flesh, bone, and even Astartes Power Armor!
Even the 'Chosen's' armor was no match for it!
Normally, only Astartes, top nobles, Inquisitors, and the Imperial Guard were permitted to wield them, but many Astra Militarum soldiers, due to achieving feats beyond mortal limits, were specially treated by the Departmento Munitorum and granted 'Power Swords' as a symbol of honor!
Clearly, Commissar Gray was one of them!
"Before you enjoy your 'main course,' how about a fight with me first?" Gray, with one hand, could swing that exceptionally heavy Power Sword, resting it on his shoulder. He stepped into the designated arena, facing the terrifying 'Chosen,' and grinned, "I, Gault Gray, 109th Regiment, Cadian Shock Troops, am I worthy?!"
"I know you... Gault Gray."
Khorne's Chosen scrutinized Gray, then actually agreed. Violent blood-light flashed through the gaps in his helmet, and he grunted excitedly, as if flexing his hands, "You are worthy of fighting me. The 'Blood God' desires to wash away the shame of Cadia with your blood and skull!"
"Commissar!"
Emrys' pupils contracted. He never expected Gray to duel Khorne's Chosen in his place!
"Kid... if I die, remember to lead them out." Gray patted his shoulder, his voice low, a hint of sadness in his eyes: "From the day Cadia fell, I was already dead. I have dreamt countless times in the middle of the night of that tragic war, hating why it wasn't me who died... Now, I finally have a chance to be completely free."
"Commissar..."
Emrys was moved, his lips trembling.
"Kid, you haven't known me long, but I like you very much." Gray's face was beaming with a brilliant smile, as if he were a Warrior stepping onto a battlefield of certain death, filled with joy.
"Kid, open your eyes wide and look clearly, this is a Warrior of the God-Emperor, this is a Cadian Shock Trooper!" Gray, carrying his Power Sword, strode into the arena, his bold battle intent soaring to the heavens: "Let me teach you what... combat is!"
Stepping into the fray, Gray looked directly at the Khorne Chosen, his face showing not the slightest fear or hesitation, only intense fighting spirit and a determination to die.
"Hey, I've introduced myself, aren't you going to introduce yourself?" His eyes were extremely arrogant, as if he didn't put the terrifying Chosen in his sight at all.
However, Gray's only response was silence.
Apparently, the Khorne Chosen was unwilling to reveal its name.
"Heh... unwilling to give your name?"
Gray wasn't surprised. His left leg suddenly exerted force, and as he twisted his waist and turned, he dragged his Power Sword, making a wide circle around him, and powerfully slashed towards the Chosen: "Since that's the case... then no more wasted words!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The strong wind howled, and the blade cut through the air!
The combat saber was already heavy, and Gray, using his body to guide the saber and rotating it once, instantly added a lot of power!
The Khorne Chosen's reaction was undeniably fast.
Gripping the Daemon Battle axe inverted on the ground, it intercepted the Power Sword halfway, from bottom to top. The two collided, sparks flew, and a huge clang of metal on metal immediately rang out!
Clang!
Despite having the advantage of the first move and increased slashing power from the rotation, Gray was actually at a disadvantage in this strike!
The Khorne Chosen's strength was indeed extraordinary, especially its noticeably thicker right arm, whose power was astonishingly great. Despite hastily parrying, it turned the tables and forcefully flung Gray away.
Thump thump thump... Gray staggered a few steps, struggling to regain his balance.
His entire arm was numb from the shock, and the tiger's mouth holding the Power Sword had been torn in several places during the collision, blood flowing down the hilt.
Just one strike made Gray understand the gap between them!
"Heh, an eight-fold blessing?" He spat out a mouthful of blood, gripped his Power Sword, and pressed the device on it. A bio-disintegration field immediately enveloped the blade. He scrutinized the unmoving Khorne Chosen ahead, his eyes narrowed: "I just don't know how many blessings your master... bestowed upon you?"
"You don't need to know!"
The Khorne Chosen sneered arrogantly and took a step forward with a fierce stomp.
Bang!
The massive tremor directly kicked up several meters of smoke.
Its seemingly bloated body, however, forcefully shattered the airflow, as if a storm was approaching. The huge, blood-red battle axe dragged a wailing shriek through the air, cleaving directly towards Gray!
Too fast!
Even Gray, a veteran of a hundred battles, still found it difficult to react. He could only rely on his rich experience to barely bring his Power Sword in front of him, attempting to block the axe!
Boom!
The Daemon Battle axe, carrying immense force, was like a mountain pressing down. The boundless power, along the Power Sword, mercilessly poured into Gray's fragile internal organs!
Whoosh!
Gray's body shot out like a cannonball, flying back dozens of meters!
Then, he was slammed hard against the wall of the outer defensive fortifications, almost embedding himself within it.
"Is that all the Cadian Shock Troopers are capable of?!"
The Khorne Chosen charged again, its thick right arm gripping the Daemon Battle axe, ready to sever Gray's head.
Just then, Gray's staggering body suddenly squatted down and rolled forward, using the momentum.
Swish!
It was as if a storm had grazed past his head!
A pungent, rich scent of blood rushed over. Gray, enduring the severe pain of his shattered internal organs, forcefully thrust his Power Sword, enveloped in the disintegration field, forward. The target was clearly the heart!
However, the Khorne Chosen once again displayed a reflex speed comparable to an Astartes. The moment the Power Sword thrust forward, it forcefully twisted its body, its bones emitting a terrifying crack!
The combat saber, enveloped in the disintegration field, easily pierced through the Khorne Chosen's left arm, which was protected by armor!
"You motherfucker!"
Gray, holding the Power Sword, swung it down violently!
Rip!!!!
The combat saber, enveloped in the disintegration field, severed and cut through bone and flesh inch by inch, directly dismembering the left arm.
The Khorne Chosen, with its left arm severed, showed no fear whatsoever. It even dropped the Daemon Battle axe and instead grabbed Gray's head with its bare hands.
Then, like lifting a chick, it flung him away, sending him flying in a perfect arc through the air, and with immense force, slammed him hard into the ground!
Bang!
The surrounding ground suddenly collapsed and sank.
Waves of air rolled, dust billowed, and the compacted ground was actually cracked open, showing how much force was used in that blow!
The heavily wounded Gray spewed a jet of blood!
That strike just now caused his broken ribs to pierce into his shattered internal organs, tearing through his flesh and skin. He looked as if he was completely soaked in blood.
"You... lost!"
The Khorne Chosen looked down from above at the dying Gray, roaring triumphantly towards the tyrannical deity in the highest heavens, proving that it was the ultimate victor!
"I... never thought... I'd live... from the start!"
However, the severely wounded and dying Gray seemed completely indifferent to his fading life. On his face, soaked in blood and looking extremely ferocious, a terrifying madness emerged.
It was as if he had completely abandoned everything... like a gambler!
From the moment he stepped into the fray, he had no hope of winning. Gray just wanted to buy Emrys as much hope as possible, even a tiny bit, to defeat the Chosen!
"For... the Emperor!"
"For... humanity!"
"Kid... the rest is up to you!!!"
Amidst Gray's heart-wrenching roar, he used his last ounce of strength to hurl his Power Sword away.
Then, under the Khorne Chosen's furious gaze, he pulled out a grenade, a hysterical, mad, ferocious smile on his face, and pressed it down hard!
"Commissar!!!"
Emrys' pupils constricted as he recognized the grenade.
It was... a melta bomb!
But it was too late to stop it.
Boom!
The next moment, a scorching hot sphere of light enveloped them!
Its temperature was extremely high; the scorching, crimson heat easily melted through the Khorne Chosen's armor, directly inflicting heavy damage. Flesh mixed with blasphemous armor peeled off, and a shrill howl unleashed rolling sound waves!
Moments later, the melta flames vanished.
Gray's figure was gone, not even ashes remained; he was completely incinerated. The Khorne Chosen knelt on the ground, its armor melted through, revealing the disgusting, twisted flesh beneath!
"How... could it be... you?!"
Looking at the Khorne Chosen, whose armor had been melted through, finally revealing its hidden true face, a tempest raged in Emrys' heart, causing his pupils to shrink to pinpricks and tremble violently!
That face... was very young, very delicate.
Although the flesh had been twisted by Khorne's blessing, Emrys could still recognize that the face did not belong to Gawain, but to his sister... Via!!!
But what was even more terrifying was not Via's face, but... as the armor peeled away, Emrys was shocked again, and at the same time, a question that had been bothering him finally got its 'answer'!
That was, why there was Gawain's voice!
Because... Gawain's head was embedded in Via's abdomen, his face twisted and ferocious, seemingly in extreme pain, his eyes tightly closed, occasionally emitting sounds from his mouth.
"Mr. Emrys..."