The Mordian Campaigns

Ch-9: Hammer of Salamanders

T'kell's POV

The courtyard was a ruin of shattered stone and smoldering debris, the aftermath of Colonel Havelock’s fight against the second Chaos Marine. His men had rallied, their lasguns still hot from the barrage that helped Havelock bring brought down the towering traitor, and now they watched, breathless, as I stood before the final foe. The air was thick with the stench of blood and burning promethium, and the distant rumble of artillery made the ground beneath my boots tremble. But all of that faded away, leaving only the Chaos Space Marine before me—an embodiment of the corruption that had twisted and defiled our once-noble brotherhood.

He stood in the middle of the courtyard, his armor a nightmarish blend of black and crimson, pulsing with unholy energy. His helm was crowned with jagged horns, and his gauntlet gripped a wicked chainaxe still dripping with the blood of Havelock’s men. His movements were slow and deliberate, every step oozing malice. I could feel the dark presence of the Warp clinging to him, corrupting even the air around him.

I tightened my grip on my warhammer, feeling the reassuring weight of it in my hands. I was a son of Nocturne, a Salamander, and the fires of my homeworld burned hot within me. This traitor would fall beneath the righteous fury of the Forgefather’s teachings. But this was no ordinary fight; this was a duel of titans, and I could see in the heretic’s glowing eyes that he relished the challenge just as much as I did.

With a roar, I charged, my warhammer raised high, the flames of vengeance burning in my chest. He answered in kind, his chainsword revving with a snarling growl as he swung it toward me with brutal force. The first clash rang out across the courtyard, a thunderous echo of metal meeting metal, and the force of it sent a shockwave through my arms. We circled each other, testing, waiting for the right moment to strike.

I knew this fight would not be easy.

The corrupted one had the speed advantage over me as he dashed in unpredictable movements around me that made it hard to focus on his rhythm. I swung my hammer in the direction I predicted he would be but he was too fast as he ducked and slashed the chest of armour with his chainsword.

"Arhh!!!!" I shouted in frustration as his corrupted blade hit my armour. I wasn't harmed in anyway but I felt my enemy was testing my armour.

"Your armour is sturdy Salamander did you forge it yourself." He hissed at me. From the shadows of the courtyard.

"Hmph... what would you know traitor???? Stop your hiding and fight me." I said calmly wanting to end this fight now.

"Ohhh I've met many of your battle brothers.... but they seem to always cling to those fleshy humans than freeing themselves of the god emperor's enslavement." He hissed at me showing me his hatred of our loyalty to him.

"We are the sons of Vulkan he has set the example for our people so greatly and never turned his back on those who are innocent." I stated proudly showing him my conviction as I knew he was trying to convert me.

"Well atleast I know your weakness....." He said mysteriously but as I readied myself for a sudden attack suddenly a voice cried out.

"Gahhhh!!!" I heard someone cry out which I instinctively turned around and saw one of Havelock’s guardsmen being impaled by the Chaos Marine who finally revealed himself.

Havelock was enraged at the sight as the heretic was enjoying the torture of one of his men.

"How weak.... you protect this things. We are God's compared to them." He said as he activated his chainsword ripping the poor guardsmen apart while he was still alive.

"Argh!!! Help me!!! Mercy!!!" He cried out in pain as blood spat out of his mouth. Havelock had seen enough and tried running to his guardsmen's aid. But before he could any closer the heretic saw him and finally tore the poor man apart before his eyes.

The blood splattered everywhere leaving two pieces of the guardsmen left before Havelock’s feet. The heretic looked down upon Havelock as if he was bug ready to be squished. Havelock didn't waver, his courage shocking even me.

“A brave one, I see,” the heretic sneered, his voice distorted by the corruption warping his once-human form. His eyes gleamed with sick amusement as he circled me, his chainaxe dripping with blood. “Oh well, at least I’ll have to work to make you scream.”

Before he could react, Havelock struck with a sudden precision, his saber flashing in rapid succession across the Chaos Marine's chest, each strike finding purchase in the damaged armor. Sparks flew as the blade slashed across the weak points of the corrupted plate, the traitor’s mocking expression shifting to a snarl of surprise and anger. Havelock’s final thrust slipped between the joints of the heretic’s armor, cutting deep, forcing the beast to stumble back with a low growl.

But the Chaos Marine wasn’t finished. Though blood now leaked from the gaps in his twisted ceramite, the dark power coursing through him kept him upright, feeding his rage. He turned his attention back to me, his eyes blazing with hatred as he hefted his chainaxe once more.

This was my moment.

I surged forward with a roar, my warhammer held high. Every step echoed with the weight of my heritage, the fury of my Salamander blood driving me onward. The heretic swung wildly, his chainaxe screaming as it sought to cleave through my armor, but I had fought foes like him before. I ducked beneath the arc of his swing, feeling the heat of the weapon as it barely missed my helm, and then I brought my warhammer crashing down onto his exposed shoulder. The traitor’s armor shattered under the impact, bone and flesh pulverized by the force of the blow. He staggered, howling in pain, but still he did not fall.

Fueled by the dark power of the Warp, the Chaos Marine refused to relent. He lunged at me with desperate fury, swinging his chainaxe in a wide arc. I parried the blow with the haft of my warhammer, the impact rattling through my arms, but I held firm. With a swift counter, I brought my weapon up, smashing it into the side of his helm. The traitor’s head snapped to the side, and the corrupted metal cracked further, exposing the ruined flesh beneath.

The heretic staggered again, dazed, and I saw my chance. With a roar, I swung my warhammer in a final, devastating arc. The weapon connected with the traitor’s chest, crushing his corrupted armor inward. He fell to his knees, gasping for breath, blood pouring from his wounds.

As I stood over him, my warhammer raised to deliver the killing blow, he chuckled—a low, gurgling sound that chilled me to the core.

“You think… this is over?” he rasped, blood spilling from his mouth. “You may have won here… but my brothers… they plan something far worse… something that will make this battle look like a child’s game.”

I hesitated for a moment, confused by his words. What could his forces be planning? But before I could demand answers, the life drained from his body, his final breath escaping with a last, guttural laugh.

The courtyard was silent, save for the distant sounds of artillery and the heavy breathing of Havelock’s men. I stepped back, my warhammer still in hand, as the weight of the traitor’s words settled over us like a shroud.

Havelock approached, his face grim. “What do you think he meant, T'Kell?”

I shook my head, my mind racing. “I don’t know… but we must find out before it’s too late.”

End of the chapter