Warhammer 40k : Space Marine Kayvaan

The scene was undeniably bizarre. The incongruity was almost laughable, like an archaeologist digging into the Mausoleum of the First Emperor and finding a thriving utopia instead of Terracotta Warriors. "Good thing Gustav isn't here," Kayvaan muttered under his breath. "The poor guy would lose it. He spent months meticulously brushing the surface, thinking he'd unearthed some treasure. If he saw this, it'd break him."

Elizabeth, still processing, finally spoke. "This is… unsettling. But there are people here. Actual people." She looked at Kayvaan. "The person who passed us just now—was that a human?"

"It looked human," Kayvaan replied, though his tone carried doubt. "No danger, no psychic signature. But it's hard to be sure."

Elizabeth nodded. "If they're human, then this isn't an ancient relic—not in the way we thought. This place is… something else entirely."

Kayvaan's brow furrowed. "Then what is this place?"

"Simple," Elizabeth said, her voice steadier now. "We catch someone and ask."

Just as the group began scanning the area, planning to intercept a pedestrian, a sharp sound broke the tension—rapid, deliberate footsteps. From a nearby alley, a woman in a red windbreaker emerged. Her wide-brimmed hat cast shadows over her face, and her high heels clicked urgently against the pavement. The woman didn't even hesitate upon seeing the group's unusual appearance. Instead, she hurried directly to Kayvaan and spoke in a hushed, urgent tone. "You're outsiders, aren't you?"

Kayvaan blinked, momentarily stunned. "Who are you?"

The woman ignored his question. "There's no time. Follow me! The streets aren't safe. The city is crawling with the Eyes of the Devils. We need to leave—now." She started to walk away but stopped when she realized no one followed. Turning back, she lowered her voice further. "Please, trust me. I won't harm you. I'll take you somewhere safe, and we can talk there. But we can't stay here any longer."

Kayvaan turned to Elizabeth, his eyes questioning. "Devils?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "No signs of Chaos. She feels human, but I'm not certain."

Kayvaan considered her words before nodding. "Fine. We'll follow." He turned to the woman. "Lead the way, ma'am. But first, your name?"

"Seraphea," she said hurriedly. "Now come on—this way."

As they followed her down a dimly lit alley, Kayvaan pressed further. "Seraphea, where are you taking us?"

"To a hidden shelter," she replied without looking back. "This city—no, this entire world—has been invaded by beings from beyond. Their Eyes are everywhere, watching, hunting. We must stay out of their sight." The so-called "hidden shelter turned out to be an ordinary apartment in a residential block. Upon entering, Elizabeth's retinue immediately fanned out, assuming defensive positions. Some guarded the door and windows, ensuring no silent infiltrations, while others meticulously searched each room for hidden threats.

"They're thorough," Kayvaan remarked, watching the Sisters work with precision. "One guards the perimeter, another checks for potential enemies. They make sure it's secure before declaring the space safe. It's like they've done this a thousand times."

Elizabeth responded coolly, "Every Battle Sister is trained to do this. It's second nature to them. But don't mistake their actions as a measure of protection for the people inside."

Kayvaan understood the implication. He sighed but refrained from commenting further. He followed Seraphea upstairs, watching as she unlocked a door and led them into what appeared to be her personal quarters. The room was simple but well-kept, with neat furnishings that suggested someone still lived here. "Please, sit down," Seraphea said warmly, gesturing to the seats. "Make yourselves at home. Would you like something to drink? What do outsiders usually drink?"

"We're in a hurry," Kayvaan said bluntly. "No drinks. Just tell us what's happening here—and about these devils you mentioned."

Seraphea's face tightened, but she maintained her composure. "All outsiders are so impatient," she muttered. "Fine, I'll explain. The universe beyond is harsh and unforgiving. Countless horrors lurk in the void, and survival itself is a relentless struggle. "But here…" Her tone softened. "Here, it's different. We've lived in peace for generations, untouched by war or the tyranny of mankind. This city is a sanctuary, a true paradise where no one suffers, and disputes are resolved peacefully. We've built a life far removed from the chaos of the outside world." Her expression darkened. "But that peace ended a week ago. They came—those devils. They tore apart the harmony of this place."

"They?" Elizabeth asked sharply. "The devils?"

"What else could it be?" Seraphea's voice trembled. "We've had outsiders stumble into our world before. They marveled at our tranquility and chose to stay. But these creatures… they're nothing like anyone we've encountered. They severed all connections between the cities and levels, isolating us completely. Now, people are too afraid to leave their homes. The devils hunt openly, roaming the streets and alleys. Most, however, have gathered in the central square."

"The central square?" Kayvaan asked. "Why there?"

Seraphea hesitated before answering. "There's… a circus. A massive tent dominates the square. It looks like something from a grand carnival—bright colors, exaggerated decorations, lively music. But it's all a facade. Nearly every devils is concentrated there, and every day, they 'invite' residents to attend their performances. No one who enters ever comes back. We don't know what happens inside, but it's something terrible."

"No one resists?" Elizabeth's voice rose, her anger barely contained. "You let yourselves be taken without a fight? Even if you can't win, better to die standing than to walk into their clutches like sheep!"

Seraphea lowered her gaze, shame etched into her features. "We've forgotten how to fight," she admitted. "Our ancestors were warriors, but generations of peace have left us defenseless. We're powerless against such evil. All we can do is pray—pray for salvation. And then… you came. You're the answer to our prayers, aren't you? Please, save us!"

Kayvaan's expression remained stoic. "We aren't the warriors of your false gods," he said coldly. "We serve the God-Emperor, and we're here to eradicate all evil." He turned to Seraphea, his voice firm. "We've heard enough. Leave us for now. I need to discuss our next steps with my team. It might involve… unsavory details you wouldn't want to hear."

Seraphea hesitated but nodded, retreating quietly. As the door closed behind her, Hilsa entered the room, saluting sharply. "Your Excellency Elizabeth," Hilsa reported. "The apartment is secure. We found no one else inside. However, there's something odd. While the furniture is intact, there are no signs of life—no personal items, no lingering scents, nothing to suggest this place is truly lived in. Every surface looks carefully cleaned, almost sterile."

Elizabeth sneered. "As expected. Something is definitely off." She turned to Kayvaan. "So, Commander, what's our next move?"

"If I had more time, I might have indulged my curiosity—arrested Seraphea, interrogated her, maybe even killed her," Kayvaan thought, scratching his head. "But time isn't on our side. The clock is ticking, and we can't waste it on distractions. We'll deal with these people later if we have to. For now, we focus on the mission." He sighed, his voice tinged with frustration. "And as expected, we're in trouble. Things always take a turn for the worse the moment we arrive. The Daemons aren't just guarding the altar—they've hidden it. If we find it, we'll need to storm that circus and start killing."