Terra Aeterna: The Rise of Humanity's War Machine

[Medbay – Battlecruiser Kenthelion]

Marcus Corvinus locked eyes with his father, the hatred in his gaze sharp enough to cut steel. His voice was low—each word dripping like venom.

Marcus Corvinus

"Why aren't you dead yet, Father?"

Alexander met the fury with calm. His expression was soft, almost sorrowful—an ocean hiding the storm beneath.

Alexander Corvinus

"Is that how you greet your own blood?"

Marcus

"Don't talk like you're innocent. You said nothing when William was thrown away like an animal. And me... I was just a tool in a war you should've stopped before it even began!"

Alexander

"You and your brother were born of something I never fully understood. If I had known—if I had seen what our blood would become—I might have destroyed myself long ago."

Marcus (hissing)

"Too late. I'll avenge William. And you... you'll watch a new world rise from the ruins of your failure."

Alexander didn't respond. Instead, he reached into the folds of his cloak and pulled out a heavy, ancient pendant in the shape of a key. Cold. Worn. Final.

Alexander

"This is the key to William's prison. Bring ruin if that's what you desire. But remember—you're not just freeing your brother. You're unleashing a curse."

Marcus snatched the key. His eyes gleamed—not with hope, but with something darker. Something fatal. Alexander looked at him one last time—not with anger, but with the grief of a father who knew he had already lost his son.

From the side of the room, Kenthelion stepped forward. As Alexander exited, Marcus found himself face to face with the being who had once defeated him.

His jaw clenched instinctively—there was fear in his eyes, buried beneath pride.

Kenthelion (coldly)

"This is my ship. And here, I demand truth."

His gaze shifted to Michael, still unconscious.

Kenthelion

"I can offer you something. But only if you swear to one thing. I can sympathize with your suffering, Marcus. But what I will never accept... is this belief that mutants like you are superior to humans. That you have the right to prey because you think you're above them."

Marcus (bitter smirk)

"You call yourself human? Just because you beat me once doesn't make you better."

Without warning, Kenthelion struck him—hard. The impact echoed through the chamber, leaving Marcus reeling, nearly blacking out.

Kenthelion (firmly)

"Shut up. I'm not finished."

Marcus said nothing. No retort. Just silence. The silence of someone beginning to grasp the weight of his position.

Kenthelion

"I can save William from his madness. Our technology can restore his broken mind. Surely you realize now—you're on a warship in space, not your little backwater world."

Kenthelion

"If you agree, I'll relocate you—William, your kind, all of you—to a designated planet under my rule. If you wish, I could even restore your humanity. But the choice is yours."

He turned slightly and gestured toward the door. A towering Ultramarine Space Marine stepped in—over two meters tall, clad in thick blue power armor, the Aquila emblazoned on his chest.

Kenthelion

"Among my forces are men like him. They don't need silver bullets to deal with creatures like you. If you doubt it, feel free to test them."

Marcus looked up at the Space Marine—his face shifting. A glimmer of calculation. Of fear.

Marcus (trying to sound composed)

"And if I refuse? I can free William on my own. I don't need you."

Kenthelion offered a faint smile—a smile without warmth.

Kenthelion

"Then I'll sit back and watch you kill each other."

He leaned closer, voice dropping into a near whisper.

Kenthelion

"Oh, and the man lying in that bed next to you... Michael... he's your brother too. A victim of the same experiments. In the same facility. By the same people."

A beat of silence. Then, colder:

Kenthelion

"Think about it. I'll give you time. If you refuse, that's fine... I have a hundred other ways to resolve this."

His eyes narrowed with disdain before he turned and exited the room.

Marcus remained still. He didn't speak. Didn't move. Trapped in the chaos of his thoughts.

For the first time in a long, long time—

Marcus Corvinus felt powerless.

And for the first time, he began to wonder...

if he had finally run out of roads to walk.

After hearing Kenthelion's words, Marcus Corvinus gave no response. He simply stood there, frozen. His gaze was vacant, his body rigid, unmoving. It was as if he'd been caught between choices that crushed his pride—choices that, for the first time, left him feeling powerless. Any form of resistance now seemed utterly futile.

Meanwhile, at the government's military base, the major battle had ended. The thunder of cannons and the roar of jets had fallen silent, leaving behind only the sporadic crackle of gunfire from scattered resistance pockets—quickly neutralized. The entire complex had fallen under Kenthelion's absolute control. Buildings burned, the field was littered with debris, and the air was thick with the stench of metal and blood.

Selene stood in the midst of the wreckage, surrounded by vigilant Ghost operatives. Before her, Chief of Staff Ferenc Veér was brought in, shackled, trembling, his face pale as chalk. He knew—this wasn't a military tribunal. This was judgment.

Selene

"Who ordered the massacre of the blood clans?"

Her voice was calm, nearly icy. Yet it carried a weight, a pressure that made every soldier's heartbeat spike.

Chief of Staff Ferenc Veér (nervously stammering)

"I-It was... General Ferenc Veér's orders."

His words stumbled out, a desperate bid to save himself. But Selene's eyes narrowed, dissecting the lie beneath his well-packaged excuse.

Selene

"You think I'm stupid enough to believe a general could act on his own? Tens of thousands dead... and you want me to believe it was all one man's initiative?"

Veér's face drained of color. Cold sweat trickled down his temples as the truth became unavoidable.

Ferenc Veér

"M-Minister of Defense János Szabó... he started it all. General Veér and Szabó—planned it together. I was only following orders!"

Selene said nothing for a moment. Her eyes were sharp, but her demeanor was cool and methodical.

Selene

"Take him down. Detain him with the others."

Ghost Operative

"Yes, ma'am."

A Ghost operative seized Veér and dragged him away with no ceremony. Selene didn't spare him another glance. She had what she came for.

---

Command Room – Battlecruiser

Tactical screens displayed satellite feeds of the conquered base. The final explosions had subsided. Amalia stood before the flickering holographic map, letting out a slow, steady breath. She hadn't expected the operation to proceed this swiftly or efficiently. The results had far exceeded expectations.

Battlecruiser Officer

"Ma'am, intel confirms government reinforcements will arrive in two hours. Should we intercept their route?"

Amalia made a quick decision, her eyes locked on the strategic map.

Amalia

"Deploy the nearest starfighter units. Begin a preemptive bombardment. Destroy their supply lines and rally points before they can form up."

Battlecruiser Officer

"Understood, ma'am."

The command was relayed through tactical channels without delay. Within moments, squadrons of starfighters launched from the hangar bays once more, screaming across the stars in perfect formation—bringing death with every beat of their wings.

After receiving orders from central command, the Banshee-class starfighter squadron was immediately deployed to intercept the enemy reinforcements racing toward the front lines. Ten Banshee units launched from low orbit, slicing through the atmosphere at breakneck speed before locking into a tight attack formation.

Once within optimal firing range, they unleashed their Hellfire Missile Pods. The guided missiles tore through the sky, screaming like banshees, and exploded with precision amid the advancing armored vehicles and heavy infantry. Some of the missiles split mid-air, tracking multiple targets simultaneously in a flawlessly coordinated assault.

Meanwhile, their primary weapons—the Avenger-pattern Rotary Bolt Cannons, custom-modified by the Adeptus Mechanicus.998—let loose a devastating barrage of Godwyn Heavy Bolts. Each round exploded with savage accuracy, tearing through armor and flesh alike. The government troops attempted to mount a counterattack, but the Banshees' speed and agility proved overwhelming. They weaved through anti-air missiles and return fire with deadly grace.

Chaos erupted across the battlefield. The enemy's commanding general was killed in a direct strike, and without centralized leadership, their formations collapsed. Casualties mounted rapidly. Recognizing the futility of the situation, the acting commander issued a full retreat order, desperate to salvage what remained.

---

Command Room – Battlecruiser Kenthelion

The warzone holograms displayed the government troops fleeing in disarray. In the command room, Alexander Corvinus handed over a large flask filled with thick, deep-red blood to Kenthelion.

Alexander Corvinus

"This is the blood you requested. Our deal is complete."

Kenthelion took the flask, examining the liquid with deep interest. It was cold, heavy, and viscous—like the dark legacy of the Corvinus bloodline, now swirling between his fingers.

Kenthelion

"And what will you do with the vampires and lycans?"

Alexander

"I'm relocating them to Canada. I've purchased a vast forested region—remote enough for them to build a new life."

He exhaled deeply. It wasn't an easy decision, but he knew it was better than letting them be hunted to extinction.

Kenthelion

"Wise. Better far from here. Their numbers don't matter much anyway."

But then Kenthelion turned to him again, his tone shifting slightly.

Kenthelion

"What about William? He's your blood as well. And Michael... your third son, who isn't even fully human anymore. Will you send them too?"

Alexander paused, his eyes falling to the floor as if the answer lay hidden beneath it.

Alexander

"I've seen Michael. He's mutated. I don't know if it'll become a strength... or a curse. If he turns into a monster, perhaps there's no choice but to put him down. A pity..."

Kenthelion watched him quietly, studying the immortal man who had caused so much chaos across history. Then he spoke—softly, but with meaning.

Kenthelion

"I can save them both. But you have to promise me one thing. If you truly want your sons to become human again... I can make it happen."

Alexander's head snapped up, his eyes sharp and wide.

Alexander

"What did you say? You can cure them?"

Kenthelion

"You should've realized by now that I'm not from this universe. And yes, I can heal them… but only if you're willing to make a firm decision regarding your three sons. If you can't, I won't lift a finger."

Alexander Corvinus

"I knew it the moment we met. With your power, you could've killed me any time you wanted—but I also sensed you had another purpose. So I waited."

Alexander Corvinus

"I've read the latest scientific theories on the possibility of parallel universes… and from there, I started to suspect. Now tell me, Lord Kenthelion—what's your condition?"

Kenthelion

"My condition is simple. I will relocate you and your kind—the Vampires and Lycans—to a new planet. There, you'll serve as governor. And allow me to formally reintroduce myself, Lord Alexander Corvinus. My name is Kenthelion Celestus, Emperor of Humanity from another universe, and the founder of the Imperium Caelestis."

Alexander Corvinus

"My deepest respects, Your Majesty. So your true goal… is to separate us—Vampires and Lycans—from human civilization?"

Kenthelion

"No. I'm not exiling your kind. But you know better than anyone—your descendants, both Vampire and Lycan, are naturally hostile toward humans, convinced of their own superiority. I'm offering you a chance to live without conflict. For now, I won't interfere with your people. But if I ever fully take control of Earth, I won't tolerate any race murdering humans."

Alexander fell silent, his mind drifting into deep calculation. After a long pause, he exhaled slowly, as though releasing the weight of a history he himself had written.

Then, with solemn resolve, he stepped forward and knelt before Kenthelion. Bowing his head, he kissed the Emperor's hand—a gesture of ultimate reverence from a world long past.

Kenthelion, with the commanding grace of a true sovereign, gripped Alexander's hand, sealing the oath in silence.

Alexander Corvinus (with the nobility of old European courtly tradition):

"I, Alexander Corvinus, swear fealty to His Majesty, Kenthelion of the Imperium Caelestis, Emperor of Mankind. I shall serve with all my soul and strength, guard the secrets of the Imperium, and never aid your enemies as long as there is breath in my body."

Kenthelion

"Rise, Alexander Corvinus. Remember our pact. Now, one more thing—do your people choose to remain Vampires and Lycans, or will they return to being human? If you stay as you are, you understand the consequences."

Alexander Corvinus

"Your Majesty, we choose to remain as we are—Vampires and Lycans. And we will relocate as per your command."

Suddenly, a battlecruiser officer rushed toward them, urgency in his voice.

Battlecruiser Officer

"Sir, Lady Selene is asking what should be done with the prisoners."

Kenthelion turned to Alexander.

Kenthelion

"Alexander Corvinus, can the prisoners be placed under your care? Or… is there someone in your government who can manage them?"

He paused, weighing the choice. He was no executioner—and didn't want to become one.

Alexander Corvinus

"Your Majesty, I'll have my people handle them for now. I'll contact you if any further decisions are needed."

Alexander stepped aside, pulled out his phone, and began making a call.

Kenthelion (turning to the officer):

"Has Mira Han arrived yet?"

Battlecruiser Officer

"Your Majesty, Commander Mira is en route. ETA: one hour."

Kenthelion gave a subtle nod. Moments later, Alexander's voice echoed again, finishing his call.

Alexander Corvinus

"Your Majesty, the prisoners may be released now. I've already contacted the cleaners—they're on their way to pick them up."

He stepped closer, his voice calm but carrying the certainty of a man who had arranged everything down to the last detail.

Kenthelion

"Very well. Instruct Jacob to contact Selene and have her release the prisoners."

Battlecruiser Officer

"Understood, Your Majesty."

Kenthelion

"Alexander Corvinus, when do you plan to relocate the Vampire and Lycan races? And what about Marcus and William? How do you intend to deal with them?"

His tone was even, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity. He was still weighing whether to personally witness the inevitable meeting—or confrontation—between the two brothers.

Alexander Corvinus

"I've already sent someone to contact them. Honestly, I no longer care whether they're willing to leave or not. If they resist, I'll force them. And if it comes to it… I'll kill them."

Kenthelion

"And your two sons?"

Alexander Corvinus

"Marcus… the only reason I gave him the key was so he could kill William. William has lost everything that made him human. If Marcus shows him mercy, he'll be destroyed."

He paused, exhaling slowly.

"But now that I've sworn allegiance to you, Your Majesty… do you have any advice regarding the two of them?"

His voice softened, weighed down with the exhaustion of a father who had watched his sons be torn apart by blood and curses for far too long.

Kenthelion studied Alexander in silence, then gave a slow, measured nod. He understood the subtext well: left alone, William would die at Marcus's hands—or Marcus at William's—and in the end, both would be lost, not just in body, but in soul.

Kenthelion

"Don't worry, Alexander Corvinus. Someone will stop them… before it's too late."

With that, Kenthelion issued quiet orders to his elite Space Marine unit. They would move in secret—not to interfere needlessly, but to prevent unnecessary destruction. A brother's duel might be inevitable—but slaughter didn't have to be the only outcome.