A Light Not Extinguished

Chapter 24: Mistress of Blades

"Alpha-Plus human psykers are a rarity among rarities. No more than three have been born in the last millennia, and taking into account that the population count of humanity numbers in the quadrillions, 'rarity among rarities' is somewhat of an understatement.

Statistically, it is assumed that the Aeldari have much more, taking psychic development and lifespan into account."
-Excerpt from Psykana Militant Aeldari Threat Assessment file, Xenobiology section.

M24. 314.

Celiwynn System, Irilhith

Ten Solar Operators crept down the corridors of an ancient mausoleum.

The smooth gel-like padding of their boots muffled all sound as they advanced past murals of glories long before. Lit by ghostly fires that ran through veins of scarlet crystal along the walls, the tunnels made for an entrancing, yet eerie sight. Even deep underground, the sounds of fighting from above filtered down here. The 216th Assault Fleet was currently in the process of waging war on yet another Aeldari planet, the third one in two weeks. Curiously, the inhabitants of this world were significantly more martially inclined than the previous ones; wielding sorcerous melee weapons and brandishing psychic powers, they had initially taken the ground forces by surprise, fighting with desperate ferocity instead of fleeing like their kind did on other planets. But as the battle dragged on and the Federation naval assets slowly gained the upper hand in orbit, the tide had began to turn. This kill-squad in particular had been sent to search this facility to destroy any resurrection machines or Webway portals that the Aeldari had in reserve.

"It's some sort of tomb, Command." The captain of the squad reported into his vox. "Aside from a few drones the site is devoid of hostiles- likely drawn away by the fighting."

They reached the center of the complex. Five separate hallways opened up into a great courtyard, with five grand arches leading to a tall, imposing gate that took up the entire wall. The courtyard was littered with trophies and artifacts; strangely, everything that was a weapon seemed to be placed closest to the gate, while those that were trinkets and ornaments were left in the corners. Prodigious amounts of skulls decorated the room; in fact, all the walls were lined top to bottom with skulls of all shapes and sizes.

One Solar Operator inspected the arches. On each one were inscriptions in the Aeldari language, rune-marks that were carved as deep as a forearm. The translation software in her hardsuit scanned for any potential cognitohazards, before letting it through into her visual feed. "Command, are you reading this?"

Here rests the Mistress of Blades

None shall disturb her slumber, save those of challenger's spirit

Lest thou suffer the pain of severance from heaven and earth

"This is unusual." Another one murmured. "The knife-ears usually don't show this amount of respect for the dead." He brought his rifle up in a wide arc, scanning his surroundings. "It's too bloody unnatural." He paused. "Wait. The skulls." He signalled one of his squadmates over. "Harrison, you see what I'm seeing?" Beneath each skull on the walls was a plaque of beautifully carved wood, each one listing a date and a name. A cursory glance revealed a diverse variety; there were Orkish, Rangdan, Cythor, Aeldari, and many more, some that had no translation in the Federation lexicon.

A boom resonated through the room, the kill-team immediately turning their weapons to the source of the sound- the gateway. The gates slowly opened of their own accord, swinging soundlessly to reveal the impenetrable darkness that lay beyond the threshold. Even with the advanced optics of the Solar Operators, there was nothing they could see- the work of the immaterium.