Viva La Revolution!
Never in Kermit's wildest dream did he ever imagine starting an armed rebellion, but there he was, in the middle of it all. As his rallying cry (one that would have made even the founding fathers proud) echoed across the city, so was he met with the war cries of those oppressed by Vect. Freed by Lady Malys, and those that sided with her, the slaves were out in force.
Be they young, old, deformed, or particularly grotesque; it was an endless tide of soldiers ready to fight for their own freedom. Humans, aliens, and Dhrukari loyal to his co-conspirators rushed out, surprising the people in the arena. "Go my fellow slaves, be free! Throw off the shackles of your oppressors!" He shouted as he struggled against these pesky bonds.
Was this what the founders felt when they crossed the Delaware? Of course, this was a multi species revolution, but the comparison still held in his mind. Maybe he should do a few more of them in the future!
"Come my brothers and sister, show them the error of their ways," He heard Lady Malys cry out from the bleachers, laughing as she rallied her followers, both former slaves and rebel Dhrukari alike, "Let your voices be heard, down with the old order, down with Vect! Slaughter all those who stand before us!"
That had him cringing as he was reminded that this was a violent revolution. It was a revolution against slavers, but still very much bloody. That didn't mean he can't keep the violence directed!
"But don't stab them too much! We don't want to be just like them, ok?" He reminded them, trying to be a voice of reason, "Less murder hobo and more freedom fighters!" Getting all these people to cooperate was easier said than done. Still, it didn't hurt to do his best, "Come on people, we're civilized men and women, not animals!"
Despite his best efforts, it was clear that this was a messy affair. It was absolute pandemonium as the crowd descended into a frenzied melee. Slavers versus their slaves and former friends or just seat mates in general finding themselves at each other's throat. It was hard trying to figure out who was on whose side, but the fight went on.
"Damn it, what are these made of?" He shouted as he tugged on but they would prove to be harder than they looked. Coupled with the poison still coursing through his veins, he was effectively stuck for now. Then there was that ringing knock he started to hear, emanating from the gate. He couldn't take it anymore! Turning to his friend, he then cried out, "Um, Jaghatai, a little help here!"
Unfortunately for him, Jaghatai was quite preoccupied with a certain tyrant, "Not now Kermit, a bit busy here!" The man shouted as he bore down hard on Vect. Still, despite the apparent size disparity and the hundreds of tiny cuts he now sported, Vect was proving to be one slimy son of a gun.
Blocking another brutal swing from Jaghatai, the brutal dictator remained defiant, fighting like a man possessed, "You think you've won? You think you've bested me? Asdrubael Vec-!" The man shouted only for him to scream in pain as a punch sent the man flying, spitting up blood and loose teeth where he landed.
"Ohh," Kermit winced at the bloody sight, almost feeling bad for Vect as the man struggled to get his bearings, "That had to hurt," He then said as he turned to Jaghatai whose face was painted with a look of serene grace and peace, "Did you really have to punch him that hard though? He's an asshole and all but yikes, remind me not to get on your bad side."
"Kermit, my friend," Jaghatai whispered as a soft smile stretched across his face, "You don't know long I've dreamed of shutting him up."
"Damn you! Damn you all!" The dhrukari slurred out through his ruined mouth, raving on like some loon, "You haven't beaten me yet! I, I am still-Gah!" Thankfully, Jaghatai would put a stop to it as the giant of a man grabbed a small piece of rubble before tossing it right at Vect's face.
Maybe it was him developing a morbid sense of humor but having the man's tongue flop around while their jaw hung loosely was proving to be a hilarious sight. "Therapeutic," Jaghatai laughed as he picked up another rock, "No wonder Leman loves doing this!"
"I can only imagine," Kermit laughed nervously before tugging at his bonds once more, they were starting to bite, "But If it's not too much, can you help me here a bit?" Turning around, he then motioned for a particular cage to the side, "Oh yeah, I think Magnus wants to get out." It was still a bit weird calling his first companion by any other name, but he'd adjust.
"Just give me a second," Jaghatai replied as he tossed the rock away and pulled out his sword once more, "I just need to finish something that I've been dreaming of doing ever since I got captured in this infernal city."
Kermit nodded, deciding that the man needed this. Violence should never be the first option but from seeing his friend imprisoned and hearing of his tales, this might just be the answer to whatever Jaghatai was feeling right now.
Just as the giant of a man was about to deliver the finishing blow, Kermit would see a flash in the corner of his eyes. Eyes widening and feeling his non-existent hair stand up, he called out in warning, "Jaghatai! Look out!"
As impossibly fast Jaghatai was, having turned around in a blink of an eye, his assailant would prove faster as they leapt towards his friend with reckless abandon. "No!" He cried out as he saw the manic looking woman pull out her blade before lashing out.
Time came to a crawl as his gaze locked on to the blade as it made its deadly arc up towards his friend's head, the wicked edge just grazing their face before Jaghatai struck back. With a casual backhand, the man folded the woman over his arms as he swung at her, launching her flying while he staggered back.
Despite the blow, the woman managed to roll with the strike. With almost unnatural grace, Kermit watched the woman spin in the air before landing just a few dozen feet away from Jaghatai. Wiping the blood dripping down the edge of her mouth, the woman who shadowed Vect gazed up with gleeful malice as she purred out, "Almost.~"
"Jaghatai!" He called out as he pulled at his bonds, "Come on buddy, don't tell me she got you!" He shouted, as he glared at the woman. She even had the gall to glare back at him!
Tossing her blades up in the air and catching them with equal ease, the woman turned her attention to Kermit before she started scolding him, "Don't you know it's rude to interfere with someone else's fight?"
He blustered at the girl's accusation, sputtering out, "You were going to stab my friend in the back!" His reason was only met with a bored yawn. Feeling his face burn, he then shouted, "I should be the one pissed at you, not the other way around!"
"And here I thought you Old One's knew everything,~" The woman replied before pointing her blade at him. "It's called a surprise attack you moron," She told him in an almost lecturing tone.
Before he could reply, Jaghatai would cut him off as he warned her, "Save your breath Kermit, don't let Lelith goad you down to her level." Wiping at the dark blood dripping down his cheeks, he glared at the woman as he leveled his sword at her, ready to strike at a moments notice, "Never let her poisonous words work their way into your heart or she will ruin you."
"Sounds like my ex." Kermit grimaced as he kept his gaze on the girl, feeling that not even his prodigious resistance would save him if she tried something.
Letting out a playful laugh, the woman purred, "Aww come on, don't be like that Jaghatai.~" Cocking her head to the side and flashing Jaghatai a cheeky smile, the woman continued, "Not after all those things we've been through.~ Remember our first time together?"
He was so caught up with the current situation that he almost missed Vect crawling away. "Jaghatai! The cockroach is getting away!" he shouted, trying to get his attention. Seeing that his cover was blown, Vect made a run for it, scrambling up to his feet as he made a beeline for the exit.
Jaghatai quickly shifted, running after the man but Lelith would prove to be a thorn in their side as she blocked his path. "Ah ah ah~! Don't go having cold feet on me now, Jaghatai," She tutted as she spun her blade, bloodlust dripping off her words, "You and I still have some unfinished business here," She reminded his friend before she started circling around him.
"You witch," Jaghatai growled out in frustration as he started circling her as well. Gripping the hilt of his weapon with barely contained rage, he then said, "If it's a fight you want, I shall gladly give it to you!"
Those heated glares, the murderous undertone, the palpable hatred between each other? Could it be? "Hey Jaghatai, I know it's rude and all, but is she your ex?" He then asked. It was simply too much for him to resist. Yes, Vect was running away and all but he needed this!
His simple question made the two pause, with Jaghatai looking at him with a mystified expression while the other was bent over laughing. "I might be mistaken, young Kermit, but did you ask me if she's my… Ex?" Jaghatai slowly replied, his face twisted to that of exasperated disbelief and bewilderment.
"I mean, you two clearly have a history and you want to kill each other so…" He trailed off before the flat look Jaghatai gave him along with the almost hysterical laughter ringing over the ongoing coup put a stop to whatever he had in mind, "I'm going to shut up now…"
"By the gods, that was hilarious!" The woman replied as she finally got herself under control. Wiping the tears brimming in her eyes, she said, "Makes me almost feel bad that I'll have to kill you the old fashion way-!" She would be cut short as it was now Jaghatai's turn to attack and he would prove to be far more formidable as he pressed the attack without mercy.
Still, despite being on the back foot, the woman could only laugh out in delight as she cried out, "Hah! That's more like it!" With ferocity and speed rivaling that of Jaghatai, the woman stood toe to toe with his gigantic friend despite the overwhelming odds set against her, "Come on! Show me what you're made of!"
Kermit had to admit, it was fun to watch the two have at it. It was like he was inside a movie, seeing the two almost dancing with each other; their swords flashing with deadly intent. He would have enjoyed it more, however, if his friend had just freed him earlier.
"Fuck," he cursed out as he glanced at Vect's figure melting away into the crowd. It was proving increasingly frustrating being held back. "Come on, toss me something! Anything!" He cried out, praying and practically begging for help at this point.
He wouldn't be waiting for long as his answers would soon be answered not by some cruel god but by an angel in disguise, "My my, seems like Vect actually came prepared," The woman who he bargained with tittered as she walked up to him, fan covering her face.
"Lady Malys!" He breathed a sigh of relief before he found his breath caught in his throat. Hovering just inches behind her was the ever so familiar glow of the lovable little sprite. "Red! Oh god, I missed you so much buddy!"
The ever lovable sprite was quick to scold him, buzzing around angrily at him, "Hey!"
"Oh come on, how could I've known he was evil!" He defended himself as he felt his face burn. He was merely acting on what information he had at the time.
"Hey…" The sprite reminded him, making him wince as he remembered all the time he spent in prison, the forced labor, as well as the time they were kept apart. That along with all the BDSM and fetish gear of supposedly professional law enforcers. Come to think of it, they did look like the Cenobites.
"Ok fine, I should have listened to you," He sighed, relenting at his friend's simple yet brutally honest answer. In hindsight, it should have been obvious but he was blinded by his own inexperience and naivety. It hurt to admit it but Red was right. Looking up at his friend, "Can you forgive a foolish old frog?"
There was a tense few moments between them before he saw the sprite sigh as they replied, "Hey."
He let out a sigh of relief as he smiled back at his bodiless friend, "Aww, thanks buddy. I'll make it up to you, I promise!" he told him. He had lots of catching up to do with his buddy. It'd been, what? A few weeks since they'd talked to each other?
Red chimed, annoyance dripping off his tone but he was quick to take his spot hovering around his head once more; all was right in the world.
Clearing her throat, Lady Maly's would then call out for their attention, "While I do hate to ruin the moment, you are still stuck, are you not?" she pointed out as jumped up the platform holding him in place.
"Oh right, sorry about that," he apologized, not realizing how caught up he was with getting to talk to Red again. As he sagged against his bonds, feeling a bit out of breath from all the struggling he had, he then said, "Asspull really pulled one out of his ass huh? Maybe that's why he's named like that…"
Glancing at his bonds he wondered, what the hell was this stuff made off anyways? Sure his limbs were as strong as wet noodles, but they looked like the ones he broke back when he was doing community serving.
Turning to her, he then asked her, "But anyways, I need help. If you can just find me some paper clips then I could work on these shackles," he wasn't sure how it works but he'll probably figure something out.
The woman let out a chuckle at his request, "Oh, you are quite the jester dear, but I don't think that would work on these masterworks from the Necrons. Quality like that would last you a lifetime or two," She commented as she hopped on top of his shackle. Tapping on the black metal with her feet, she then said, "I think what you need is this,~" She said as she pulled out a very large vial.
Seeing his confused look, she started to explain, "Despite Vect's claims to superiority, he's not immune to simply brute forcing through problems. Strong poison is expensive, cheap poison that works just as well if you have enough of it? That he'll use." Climbing up to his shoulder, she then said, "What's coursing through your veins is a very large amount of household poisons, the ones we use for pest control. Crude, yes, but effective."
"Oh I know it's an antidote," He admitted before he asked her, "But I'd like to know where you kept that bottle. That's what, bigger than and longer than your forearm?"
The woman merely blushed and fanned herself as she replied coyly, "A woman has her secrets," Forcing his mouth open, she then said, "Anyway, here.~ This should neutralize that pesky little problem of yours.~" Before he could even so much as protest, he found himself downing the vile concoction.
"Oh god," Kermit grimaced, shuddering at the slimy off putting jelly like liquid sliding down his throat before it settle down on his stomach. He almost puked there and then if not for a sudden feeling of wellness coursing through his body, "What the…?" Almost immediately, he felt his strength returning to his limbs.
With a flex of his noodly arms, he broke through the bonds as he was mighty once more. "Alright!" He cheered, as he looked down on his arms. Turning back to her, he then told her, "Lady Malys? Have I told you just how beautiful you are, and how lovely your eyes are?"
The woman giggled as she covered her face once more, "Oh my, you certainly know how to flatter a woman." Turning to the Jaghtai and Lelith, she then said, "While I'd love to hear more from you, we still have one more problem in our hands."
While it was clear that Lelith was a bit worse for wear, Jaghtai was looking a bit tired himself. Be it from rust, or maybe he kept him up too long yesterday, his friend needed help. "Lelith!" He cried out as he stomped towards her with Lady Malys and Red in tow.
"Hey!" Red chimed out angrily as the ground started to shake around him. What type of antidote was in that vial?
Seeing his approach, the scantily clad assassin jumped away from the haggard looking warrior, "Looks like that's my cue.~" Hopping up the bleachers she gave them a lazy salute as she cheered, "It was fun, Jaghtai, though you got a little bit rusty, literally. You really need your armor checked."
"Oh fuck off," Jaghtai cursed at her as he spat out some blood.
"But, unfortunately, our little fun has to end. Vect only needed me to delay you, see, and with tall, green, and funny joining in, things are getting a little bit hairy for my taste," She told them, jumping aside as he made a grab for her.
"Stand still!" He shouted as Lady Malys jumped off him before launching herself at Lelith.
Despite their combined efforts, the woman remained elusive, but she was quickly running out of space to run to. With Jaghtai jumping up to the bleachers as well, it was only a matter of time before she was caught. "Aww, think you'd catch me? Unfortunately, you'll only remember this as the day you almost caught Lelith Hesperax~!" The woman taunted them as she pulled out a little pendant. Raising it high up, she flashed them a smile before she slammed it down hard.
"No!" he cried out as a crack opened in reality… only for it to fizzle out, leaving all of them staring in confusion. Even Lelith was stunned as she stared at the pendant.
"Let me just…" She whispered as she picked it up before tossing it back down. Again, a crack appeared only to fizzle out once more.
"Is… that how it's supposed to go?" He asked as the women repeatedly tried doing the same stunt only for it to fail again and again. "Do you need some time?" He asked, feeling some pity for the woman as she turned bright red.
"Fuck, shit, what the hell, Vect!" She cursed as she raised her hand and pulled out some weird archaic looking phone/radio device. It almost looked like a tablet if a bit spikier. Jaghtai was about to launch himself at her but he blocked it.
"Let's just watch," He told him as both Lady Malys and Jaghtai looked at him in confusion. Even Red was giving him questioning looks but he assured them, "Just trust me, I know when I see someone about to quit. Call it a horrible boss sense."
Turning back to the increasingly irate women, he then heard her shout, "Ok Vect, what the hell is the big idea! Do you know how stupid I look here?" Giving them a nasty glare, she then turned her attention to her communicator, "They're just standing there! Even they know I'm fucked!"
There was a brief pause as Vect replied something unintelligible. Whatever it was, it had Lelith screaming in anger as she tossed the device at the ground before shouting, "Screw you Vect! I'm not just going to be someone's distraction! Fuck you, I quit!"
The woman fumed, stomping on the device, before she collected herself. Running her hand over her hair, she then turned towards them with an immaculate and innocent smile plastered across their face before asking them, "So! Anyone here who needs a professional assassin for hire? I can do escort duties as well.~"
"What makes you think that we need you?" Jaghatai asked, face twisted into a rictus of rage and befuddlement, "How does this even remotely make sense! Both of us were perfectly fine killing each other, what changed?"
"My boss tried to have me killed, durr?" Lelith sassed back before she clapped her hands together and looked up at Kermit hopefully, "So boss man,~ need a sexy Dhrukari on your side?"
"You know… Jaghtai has a point," He started slowly, making sure not to give anything away. Recruiting the right hand woman of an evil dictator seems like the best way to get the best dirt on said dictator. Still, this was negotiations. Couldn't have her knowing how useful her intel was!
He was sure that his amphibian appearance would throw them off but he could never be too sure, "And I do have a sexy Dhurkari by my side already."
"Flatterer,~" Lady Malys giggled as she batted his fan at his heel.
"Then what's with letting me live if you're going to kill me anyways?" She asked with a pout. He might need a change of plan right now.
"Come on, just throw me a bone here!" He shouted, making sure he was loud and clear. Of course his two friends slapped their faces, and maybe Red would have as well if he had any arms. Seeing her eyes widen and panicked expression, it seemed to have worked well enough.
"Uhhh, ohh! I know where Vect keeps Lady Isha!" She told them before her face twisted with displeasure, "Oh man, Vect kept raving on about being the hero that would save the Aeldari race, but fuck him, he can't even save me!" Shaking her head, she then snapped her fingers, "Oh yeah, and I have the antidote for the poison I used on Jaghatai."
"Wait, you're poisoned!" he shouted as he turned to his friend. Of all the things his friend had to hide, it was getting poisoned. This was not normal! Not normal at all!
"It's just a flesh wound," Jaghatai defended himself before he coughed out some blood. Wiping his lips, he then assured them, "I assure you, this looks worse than it is," he forced out before he spat out a black chunk of something.
"Huh, the organ liquifying venom of the Krylix Viper," Lady Malys commented with an unhealthy amount of curiosity and admiration, "A fitting choice for something of a Primarch's caliber."
"Thank you,~" Lelith chimed all while Jaghatia was wiping the blood dripping out of their mouth. Dribbling might be a better word though as the man was hacking out globs of chunky blood from time to time.
"Hey," Red tinkled, their tone now laced with anger and disappointment.
"No, I am not being like Russ," Jaghatia countered, "And I'm fine," On cue, the man then spit out a very veiny looking blood clot… almost branch like even. Come to think of it, it looked quite uncomfortably close to a cross section of lung he once saw.
"Damn it Jaghatai, don't be like this Russ guy," Kermit muttered. What is it with warriors trying to look tough? "Ok Lelith, you're hired. Just give him the antidote."
"You got it boss!" Lelith replied as she skipped over to his bleeding friend. Thankfully, the man looked like he was too tired to even argue. That look he was giving him reeked of disappointment, and maybe a bit of loathing, but Kermit did not care, this was for his own good.
"We can't have the general of the revolution going down from stomach issues," He told him as he gave him a pat. Looking around, the fighting seemed to have started dying down with their forces capturing or having killed most of those who sided with Vect, or at least that's what he hoped for, all while explosions rang in the city. "This would have been easier if we captured Vect," He muttered before turning to Lelith who was currently poking an irate Jaghatai.
"Do not fret too much, darling," Lady Malys reassured him, "The fact that Vect ran away only served to strengthen our cause. He not only abandoned his loyal retainer," pausing briefly to point at the bubbly looking Lelith, "But his subjects as well, all to save his own skin."
Smiling with an almost self assured sense of victory, she then told him, "He is done. It's just a matter of when we will capture him now."
He nodded at that feeling that it was a worthy enough consolation prize. Just as he was about to reply, Lelith would cut him off, "Oh yeah, Malys, did you forget about the Corsair Fleets at his beck and call? They're probably mighty pissed right now, having their slaves freed and all that. Pretty ballsy move, I have to admit. Never thought you'd do it for the Mon'keigh."
"Oh dear," He whispered as dark shapes started to move across the sky, their long sleek silhouettes like knives cutting through the void that dominated the night sky of Commorragh, "That does not look good, not good at all," Ground forces were one thing but aircraft? Was he going to go King Kong with this?
"Oh I wouldn't worry about that, isn't that right Jaghatai, Lord of the White Scars?" She asked as the man who was gazing up at the starry night that dominated the dark city.
"No, we won't have to worry about that," The man replied as a bloody smile stretched across their face. Just as the fleet of Commaragh came into view, so would new stars burst to life in the sky. Peering close, he saw these stars stretch, disgorging what could only be described as floating cathedrals. With hundreds of insignia, of which red lightning, a wolf, a black drop with black wings, and a black cross stood out.
Cackling, Lelith turned to Lady Malys, "Oh you sneaky bitch," She replied, a mix of admiration and amusment coloring their face as they cursed out, "Fuck, ain't that a nasty sight. Lead them straight into our city, huh?"
"Normally, I'd rather not resort to this, but the calculus for war has changed," Lady Malys casually replied as she glanced at him.
Sweating under her attention, Jaghatai would be quick to add to the already mounting pressure, "As much as I hate to admit it," The man grimaced before letting out a sigh, "I might have never considered this alliance without him. His presence will be needed for our… future diplomatic missions," he admitted.
Maybe starting a rebellion wasn't so fun now that he thought about it. As if relishing in his discomfort, Lady Malys teased him, "Negotiations will be fun Kermit.~ Make sure you're ready for all the future talks."
"Damn it," He whispered, feeling dread overcome him. He could talk to people, yes but in a formal and business setting? He'd rather go back to his desk at his boring work than ever have to deal with this. He wasn't built for this!
"There will be sandwiches,~" Lady Malys chimed.
Perking up, he thumped his fist across his chest, "I will do what I must," He told them before he started drooling, "For the Sandwiches!" Maybe he'd even get to eat one of those Grox sandwiches again!
"While I would be more than happy to discuss with you the matters of what we'll eat later on," Jaghatai called for their attention as he sheathed his sword, "We still have a rat to capture. Lelith," The man grimaced for a bit before he forced out, "Lead the way,"
Grinning from ear to ear, the woman would answer, "Gladly.~" It seemed that the day was just really heating up. Now if only that annoying knock coming from that gate would stop.
While Kermit and his ilk basked in their supposed victory, Vect found himself slinking into the shadows of his castle like some wounded beast. The humiliation of being defeated by such simpletons stung more than the pain he felt right now. This, this couldn't be happening to him! He was supposed to have everything under control!
In a fit of rage, he stormed towards his inner sanctum as he was tended to by his homunculi. "My lord, you mustn't move too much. My flesh craft is powerful but you need time to heal," They warned him as they rushed after him. Following them closely were his closest companions, close confidants and guards alike; those who had been with him since the heyday of the Black Hearts.
"I don't have time!" He screamed out, striking the polished black stone walls of his palace. Ignoring the bloody hand he now sported, he hissed out, "I don't have time when I'm not only dealing with a rebellion, but an invasion as well!" There simply wasn't time for him to recover, not when the enemies were at the gates and the she bitch kept whispering in his ears.
"Aww, come now Vect. Is that the proper way to call your savior?" She taunted as her cruel laughter echoed inside his mind. Shuddering at the phantom feeling of her hands against his neck, he pulled away, clutching his face as they called out to him,"You know, there's no shame in begging for help~"
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Clutching his face, he raged, seething at the humiliation that this old one, no, this mere insignificant spawnling, had caused him. "Kermit," He hissed out, cursing the very day he met the creature. This wasn't supposed to happen, he had everything planned out. All the frog had to do was scream for his people so he could empower not only himself but his goddess.
"Damn it all! How could one frog ruin everything!" He raved as he forced himself to walk forward, ignoring the immense pain of having to heal everything. Heading straight for his inner sanctum, he started questioning his advisers, "What's the situation in the sky right now?"
"The Rebellion is proving more widespread than we expected," One of his advisors told him as they watched over the holographic display of the city , "Not only has it attracted the attention of the lesser cabals but the Mandrakes as well… Everyone is taking a shot at us Vect, everyone."
"Fuck!" he cursed as he burst out into his room. There, he'd find his greatest prize, the unmoving and emaciated body of the goddess being tended by the best that the city had to offer. "Out! Everyone out!" He ordered.
He needed them for her but he needed silence. He couldn't handle it anymore. Grabbing a seat and slumping against it, he took stock of his situation. Things were getting out of hand.
"How about the Mon'keigh fleet? Tell me some good news here. Tell me they are getting routed," He asked, almost begging at this point. He needed something, anything to tell him that he could still win. He couldn't let the mocking voices win. He could hear the ringing knocks echoing from the gate all the way from there, he couldn't let her win.
"It's… oh no," His close friend whispered in horror as they paused, gazing at the sky above.
Turning, he found himself in horror as he stared at the massive craftworld rolling into view. It was unmistakable, its sheer size and grandeur and that eye, it couldn't be anything else; Craftworld Ulthwe. "Eldrad," He whispered before he let out an inarticulate scream of rage. Of course he had a hand in this, it wasn't the frog that outwitted him, it was everyone else!
This wasn't supposed to be how his story would end. He was supposed to be the hero! He, who clawed their way up from the very bottom, only to be struck down when they were on the verge of greatness. Just when he could free his race from the clutch of Slaanesh, they chose to turn on him.
"Didn't I tell you, you can't win?" The taunting voice whispered to him once more, their honeyed words forcing its way into his skull, "Just… let it happen, let it all go.~"
He clutched his aching head as he begged for it to stop, for everything to be just a twisted dream but the nightmare never ended. This was now his reality and he was going to die. The sobering feeling of mortality washed over him as his end loomed in front of him. His city was lost, his dreams crushed, and the only salvation offered to him was by the very cruel goddess just waiting to devour his soul.
Feeling the device hidden inside his coat, he considered his options. One click was all it would take for him to unleash a force that would wipe out everyone. Bombs, each one with the power of a dying sun, were strapped to the Gates of Khaine, strong enough to break even the god forged structure.
He could plunge this city into the warp and let She Who Thirst sort them out… but was that what he wanted them to see? That he, Supreme Overlord of Commaragh, the one who forged the Dhrukari to what they are today, was a mere coward? A traitor to those he ruled? "No," He growled out, "This is not the end."
Standing up slowly, he walked up towards the window facing the great gate. "Vect? Are you alright?" His closest adviser asked, calling out to him but it felt distant as he was forced to face reality.
There, he'd find the giant stomping toward his castle, knocking down buildings and ships alike. "You might have won Kermit, but you would rue the day you messed with me," He growled as he tossed the device aside. He had no need for such a weapon. What would be there to rule if all were to become ash?
"Aww, a shame Vect," Slaanesh whispered as he saw her eyes upon the reflection of his window staring at him. Holding his head up high, he refused to bow down even at his lowest.
"Not this time," He whispered.
"Too bad~" The being laughed as he felt the world shudder and the battlefield still. With eyes wide in terror, he heard the gates echo out in the distance and her presence just at the edge of his vision. She was there.
Taking a step back, he felt terror overwhelm his senses as the gates started to buckle and crack under
her titanic weight. "After all, if you and your people don't want to be saved, then I'll have to take matters into my own hands." As he turned, screaming for his cabal to run, the world turned pink.
The last thing he heard before darkness overwhelmed him was her sweet poisonous words, "Don't worry Vect. I'll be your hero. I'll keep you safe forever.~"
A/N:
This ain't dead
. Just took me some time to edit the ending. Really should have gotten this posted earlier if it wasn't for my delay. Anyways, here's your dose of Kermit as things are starting to pick up again. A certain Chaos God has entered the Arena and looks like Kermit's going to have his hands full dealing with her. Also, as much as Jaghatai say's he's not like his brother, he's proving otherwise
Anyways, I'd like to thank
@vyor once more for having the patience to deal with my stuff
Now if you want to support me or want to read some fic chapters in advance, consider dropping by either
Patreon or
Ko-Fi. I couldn't have done this without the support.
