Warhammer 40k : Space Marine Kayvaan

The current age was a shadow of the legendary era Kayvaan remembered. In those ancient times, the Adeptus Astartes were the undisputed masters of war, dominating every battlefield, whether in offense or defense. In that grim and glorious epoch, whether against the traitorous Horus Heresy or loyalist insurrections, the Space Marines were the Emperor's unyielding champions. Towering in stature, their fearless charges shattered enemy lines and inspired awe in allies and foes alike. Those who bore witness to those hallowed campaigns knew one truth—Space Marines were the very heart and soul of war.

But now, the Imperium's military structure had evolved. It comprised three vast branches, the mightiest of which was the Astra Militarum, commanded by the Departmento Munitorum under the High Lords of Terra. Unlike the transhuman Astartes, these were ordinary humans—common soldiers without the gene-forged enhancements or sacred power armor of the Adeptus Astartes. Their strength lay in their sheer numbers, waging war across countless worlds with unending waves of infantry, armored divisions, and planetary bombardments. Through relentless attrition and overwhelming force, they ground down the enemy. In terms of raw military power and presence, the Astra Militarum now stood as the Imperium's dominant military force.

Another significant military force within the empire was the Adepta Sororitas, the militant arm of the Ecclesiarchy—a group of zealously devout women armed to the teeth with advanced weaponry and fanatical conviction. Aside from the faithful masses who revered them, nearly everyone else in the empire kept a wary distance from this ferocious sisterhood. Meanwhile, the once renowned Space Marine Corps had long since lost its former splendor, and the relationships among the empire's three main military branches grew increasingly tangled. Budget disputes and struggles over control of resource-rich galaxies often led to small-scale conflicts. Though covert skirmishes flared constantly, the three groups maintained a brittle veneer of harmony in public. Still, when compared to the other two main forces, the Space Marine Corps could not claim any particular advantage in overall might.

For the Space Marine, raw power was everything—the core measure of their worth. That's why creating any new regiment held immense strategic value, signifying a tangible boost to their collective power. However, the process of forming a new regiment was no simple matter. It required passing stringent reviews from multiple departments, and the Space Marine Corps couldn't just set it up at will. Yet Kayvaan, holding direct mandate from the Emperor himself, would face fewer hurdles. With that backing, he could potentially establish a new chapter and place it under his own control.

In the beginning, events played out exactly as Jacob had planned. He carefully set the stage, using the environment and a few friendly words to lower Kayvaan's guard. Once Kayvaan relaxed, Jacob revealed the harsh truth of the situation. According to Jacob's calculations, Kayvaan would then panic or become discouraged. That moment of vulnerability would give Jacob the leverage to pressure Kayvaan into giving up actual command of this newly forming "Chapter Corps." The precious imperial commission wouldn't go to waste; it would simply be transferred from Kayvaan's hands to those Jacob preferred. While Kayvaan would remain the figurehead leader of this new regiment, the real authority would be surrendered willingly—or so Jacob thought.

Yet Kayvaan reacted in an unexpected way. He didn't seem to care about the risk to his life at all. In Jacob's view, this was pure madness rather than courage worthy of any admiration. "Will you not pursue responsibility afterwards?" Kayvaan asked calmly. "In other words, even if I were to kill those soldiers, would I face no consequences?"

Jacob rolled his eyes. He found it hard to imagine that this slender, unassuming young man could even scratch a single Space Marine warrior. Still, he maintained a polite tone. "In theory, that's correct. But historically, no new commander has ever actually killed those who issued the challenge. After all, it's more of a ceremonial test. The purpose is just to make the soldiers recognize their own limits, giving them a benchmark to strive toward, not to spill blood."

"I see," Kayvaan replied, unfazed. "I'll be mindful of what I do. Shall we begin now?"

"Now?" Jacob repeated, caught off guard.

"Yes, the sooner the better," Kayvaan insisted. "I'm about to command a brand-new Chapter Corps. There's a lot I need to take care of, and I can't afford to waste time on long-winded formalities."

Jacob was stunned. He had laid out all the facts and tried to dissuade this young man from risking his life, but Kayvaan still insisted on completing the procedure as quickly as possible. Jacob had no grounds or authority to refuse. Trying to maintain his composure, Jacob clapped his hands, summoning the servants. "Very well," he said. "You heard him. Prepare the arena. Master Kayvaan here will face three Space Marine warriors immediately."

One of the servants leaned in to whisper a few words to Jacob, causing him to frown momentarily. He soon relaxed, though, and raised his voice, "It's fine. Hurry up and make the arrangements. I'll take Mr. Kayvaan to the arena right now. Don't keep us waiting."

The servant bowed and left. Jacob then turned back to Kayvaan. "Before we proceed, you'll need to sign a document acknowledging the risks. If something happens out there, no one bears any responsibility."

Jacob also reminded Kayvaan to change into more suitable combat attire. But Kayvaan waved this off. "That won't be necessary." Without another glance at his own clothing, he strode straight into the arena.

The so-called arena was actually a massive, cleared-out church, so enormous it seemed designed for giants. Even with thousands of spectators, the place wouldn't feel cramped. High above them, a golden cross gleamed, symbolizing the faith in the God-Emperor that held this empire together.

Inside, three muscular soldiers stood waiting. Hands clasped behind their backs, legs firmly planted, they exuded an intimidating presence. They wore identical uniforms: long black military boots, blue trousers, and snug white vests stretched over their bulging physiques. Just by looking at them, you could sense the raw power radiating from their bodies.

This was Kayvaan's first time stepping into a real, life-or-death battle. He had imagined that in this kind of situation he would be shaking uncontrollably with fear, terrified down to his core. Now, he was indeed trembling, but not for the reason he first thought. His hands wouldn't stop shaking, yet Kayvaan knew perfectly well that it wasn't fear coursing through them—it was excitement.

He could feel his own breath turning hot, and his heart began to pound faster and louder. Kayvaan felt the blood in his veins heating up, as if it were starting to boil. Even though his body wasn't as strong as it was nine thousand years ago, he could still feel that ancient longing for battle stirring inside him. His soul, too, yearned for a fight. Despite all of Jacob's mistakes, he had gotten one point right: in this strange new world, fighting was the only thing Kayvaan truly recognized. No matter what else happened, struggle and violence were what defined him now, what he understood and excelled at above all else.

When the two halves of Kayvaan's soul—one from the distant past and one from the present—met within him, their fate seemed sealed. No matter which side prevailed, in the end, Kayvaan would be someone who fought and killed. It was the only familiar path left to him, the only real skill he could rely on.

"Under the gaze of the God-Emperor, we begin this fair contest," Jacob's voice sounded out, crackling slightly as it emerged from a mechanical device nearby. "No weapons are allowed, for this fight is one of strength, skill, and faith. Let both sides prove their worth with honor and valor, as the Emperor observes all." After a brief, solemn silence, he added, "So be it. The trial begins now. May the Emperor's light guide you!"