Two Terras

Onyx Watch

Ustalvar watched the heavy door slide open, pneumatics hissed and hydraulic pistons clanked as the bulkhead slid apart. Revealing the Astartes on the other side. A solitary figure clad in bulky black terminator armor walked through. "Greetings Chapter Master, what is required of the Onyx Watch today?" Keep Master Obed listened to the Chapter Master's request, he nodded and beckoned for Ustalvar to follow. "So, we finally enter." He said simply, Ustalvar nodded. The two men walked in silence until Obed spoke again. "If it is true that we enter the damned stars, I suppose you will require him." The resignation in Obed's voice was plain, even behind his long Terminator helmet Ustalvar knew his brother was less than pleased. "I will, it is something that must be done. For the Chapter." Ustalvar turned to his brother as they approached the last bulwark. All around them were the various warriors of the Onyx Watch, clad in black armor and wielding assortments of relic weaponry. They hefted master-crafted bolters and flamers, psyk-out grenades were clamped to their belts along with knives blessed by the dying words of a saint. The ever vigilant brothers of the Onyx Watch silently stood guard over the Chapter's greatest secret. Obed remained silent, only staring ahead at the sprawling door and its defenses. He turned behind him to face the two Land Raiders positioned there, Behind the massive vehicles were ranks of missile turrets and plasma cannons. A solitary techmarine prowled above, ever vigilant of his charges for potential malfunction. Ustalvar sighed. "We are brothers of the same womb Obed, you cannot hide your true feelings from me." Obed finally turned back to Ustalvar. "A man far wiser than you or I placed the Onyx Watch here, he had us watch over the thing in there. I took an oath brother, one that condemns my involvement in that damned abomination. Now you want to speak to it? Just as he did? Do you not remember what happened?"

Ustalvar shook his head. "I remember." Obed nodded, and placed a hand on Ustalvar's shoulder. "I know I cannot dissuade you from this task. But please take heed of the words your older brother uses. I do not want you to go mad like he did. Take everything that thing says with a grain of salt, For the Chapter." Ustalvar nodded. "For The Chapter." He repeated. Obed let his hand fall and looked to a black clad marine on his right. The marine nodded and grasped a massive lever. He hesitated for a split second before pulling the lever. The bulwark did not open completely. Only opening to the point of letting Ustalvar squeeze through, Ustalvar looked at the door and noted that a warhound titan would have little problem moving through once the door was open completely. With one last look at his brother, he walked through. A massive circular chamber greeted him. It sprawled for at least an acre and was filled with tomes upon tomes of forbidden knowledge. Gifted to them by their parent chapter, the Dark Angels. In the center of the room was a small assembly. Nine Bladeguard Veterans stood around a  hole in the floor. the hole was tracked by a dozen servitors with autocannons and other heavy weapons. A servo skull moved between them, its eyes always watching for the slightest sign of malfunction or erratic behavior. Ustalvar walked past the nine guardians, remembering the names inscribed on their shields. The primaris warriors offered no greeting, only the slightest inclination of the head. One stepped forward, the golden engraving on his shield read "Okado, Guardian Captain." 

The warrior said nothing, only looking at the Chapter Master. Who nodded. As one and in perfect synchronicity the Guardians drew their powered blades and sunk them into holes in the floor beneath. The warriors twisted their blades and another ornamented lever was presented to Okado. The man took it and pulled, the Guardians around them pulled their blades free and as one moved into a readied fighting stance. The clanking of gears heralded the raising of a single massive cage. Its bars each had inscribed the true names of the form inside. They repeated the same warning all around the golden bars. "It lies." Ustalvar watched as the cage was raised to its fullest point. He offered no weakness, the mental training of the Astartes letting him Know no Fear. And yet, he felt the pangs of anxiety grip him. "Hello little one." the thing inside said, its true form ever changing. At first a massive winged dragon and then a squid-like monstrosity. Finally it settled on the form of an eight limbed spider. its many eyes regarding Ustalvar with predatory intellect. "Greetings abomination." Was all Ustalvar said.