Hero of Darkness

1111  The Warhammer

As soon as Kahn learned about the doctrine, his mind started racing.

'For death is inevitable. Even to a God.'

That was the last verse of the chant.

And the biggest irony of this mantra or doctrine was that it came from the literal God of Death.

[On the surface, it may sound stupid. Because what kind of being who can die, would be considered a god?

But it's actually profound at the same time. Because what God of Darkness is saying is that there exists an end to everything.

To time, space, light, life, and finally, even death.] hypothesized Kahn.

"It sounds grim and depressing… but it's a profound wisdom if you understand the true meaning.

With that outlook, one's entire perception of their life and oneself can dramatically change." spoke Kahn, reaching his own conclusion.

Morrigan on the other hand, was stunned at first but then, an ecstatic smile came on her face as her entire countenance was filled with immense joy.

"You understood all that after hearing it for the first time?" she asked with a joyful smile.

"Can't help it. I'm just too smart." spoke Kahn nonchalantly.

Argos and Vildred rolled their eyes in exasperation. [Seriosuly, how do you even tolerate this moron, sir dragon?] asked the remnant sovereign to Vildred.

[To be honest, I tried to kill him the moment I saw him. Shame that our fates are intertwined now.] replied the lightning dragon emperor.

Only Kahn had the audacity to call himself smart in front of two of the world's greatest geniuses.

"They are also waiting for you. Many of them have been training for over a century themselves." said the high priestess. "Who exactly are we talking about here?" questioned Kahn.

Morrigan then summoned a few high priest robes for Kahn, Omega, and Vildred.

"Hide your appearances. And follow me." said the high priestess in an almost excited tone.

After a few minutes, their group departed for a different section of the capital via a flying cruiser-like vehicle.

******************

Ten minutes later…

In the distance, a massive military fortress-like settlement came into view, stretching over ten kilometers. It stood as a testament to the might and discipline of the Cult of the Darkborne's forces. As they drew nearer, Kahn's eyes widened at the sight of thousands of towering warriors, each belonging to various species but sharing one common trait: their immense size, with none standing shorter than ten feet tall.

The air was thick with the sound of intense sparring. These warriors engaged in brutal hand-to-hand combat, their bare bodies glistening with sweat and streaked with blood... their own and that of their opponents. The ground beneath them seemed to shake with the force of their clashes, each strike resonating with raw power and ferocity. Kahn could immediately tell that these fighters were masters of Close Quarter Combat, their movements precise and lethal.

"Why is everyone here so much larger than their counterparts of the same species?" asked Kahn, his curiosity piqued by the sheer physicality of the warriors.

Morrigan, standing beside him, offered an explanation. "These are the chosen warriors of the Darkborne." she began. "Each one has been meticulously selected from thousands of applicants when they were but children. They are not just physically strong; they possess an indomitable will to fight and survive, coupled with unshakable faith in the God of Darkness." stated Morrigan proudly.

"Every warrior here has undergone numerous physique enhancement surgeries, designed to amplify their size and strength.

Their training regimen is relentless, pushing them to the brink to forge them into formidable warriors of darkness." Morrigan's tone turned slightly somber as she added… "Though the enhancements they've undergone prevent many from ascending to the Saint Rank, they remain incredibly powerful. As a result, we don't have many saints among them, but these modifications have made them the ultimate soldiers. At least 80% of them are at the Peak Grandmaster rank." her voice chimed like a melody to Kahn's ears.

She paused, allowing Kahn to take in the enormity of what she was saying before continuing. "Currently, we boast over five thousand semi-saints within our ranks, and every Chapter Master is a Saint themselves." she dropped the nuke.

These fighters were more than just soldiers; they were living weapons, honed to perfection through rigorous training and unwavering faith.

"How many chapters are there of these legions?" asked Kahn in a stern tone, his expression turning serious.

Morrigan smiled at this question and slightly bowed as she explained...

"There are 40 Chapters. Each chapter has a thousand members.

And their loyalty extends only to the Cult of Darkborne, and as our de facto leader… To you." declared Morrigan.

[Son of a bit… Doesn't that mean I have an army that can fight an empire on its own?

These 40 Thousands death machines are more than enough to destroy any enemy force under the suns.

Plus I get to command 40 Saints as my underlings? That's broken as hell!] thought Kahn as he couldn't hide his surprise.

[I thought I was going to get dragged into the same nonsense as other heroes. But instead…

I've been given a terrifying Warhammer!] said Kahn inwardly, elated from this fortune.

******************

The tour continued through the vast fortress, with Kahn and Morrigan moving under their assumed identities. They passed through various training grounds, observing the warriors honing their skills. Some practiced with swords and shields, some used Claws, massive clubs, and battleaxes, their strikes precise and powerful, while others trained with an array of firearms, ranging from flamethrowers, rifles, bolters, and machine guns; demonstrating a mastery of both ancient and modern combat techniques.

The warriors, clad in pitch-black armor, stood out not just for their sheer size... ranging from three to five meters tall... but also for the intimidating presence their armor lent them. In their towering forms, they made ordinary people seem puny, like dwarves in comparison.

As they walked, Kahn overheard a conversation between three warriors, their voices filled with anticipation and a hint of tension.

"I wonder when they will find our lord." mused a tall, bald black man, his tone thoughtful yet tinged with doubt. "Sometimes, I think our lord might not share the same level of devotion to the God of Darkness as we do."

His words drew a sharp response from a golden-haired man with Asian features. "Is that heresy I detect in your tone, brother?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of challenge.

The bald man frowned, not willing to let the remark pass unchecked. "Do not mock my concerns in such a way, brother. I have bled for over a century and fought tirelessly with the hope of serving the will of our destined leader. The day he comes to us will be the moment I gladly follow his command to purge those heretics in the outside world." retorted the first warrior.

Before the tension could escalate further, a short, brown-haired man with piercing blue eyes intervened. His voice was calm but authoritative, seeking to restore order. "Enough! Such thoughts should not even enter our minds, brothers. It is obvious that the Cult Leader will be a beacon of hope and the greatest believer in our mighty God, as he is the chosen one. Our duty is to be worthy to serve him in his conquest to save the world and purge the fanatics who forced our ancestors into hiding."

He continued, his words imbued with a rallying fervor. "Now that the time for the Great War approaches, we must be in top form to fight. Remember, the enemy lies outside, not within us." spoke this man who seemed their superior by rank.

Kahn, observing this exchange, was momentarily taken aback by the intensity of their faith and their willingness to follow him, despite never having met him.

[Why do these three seem so familiar?] Kahn pondered, a hint of nostalgia creeping in. [I think I remember playing a video game with characters like these in it…]

******************

Morrigan soon led Kahn to another facility 20 kilometers away, a place that exuded a sense of unyielding power and military might. After half an hour of walking, they arrived at an enormous training ground, where a formidable battalion of armored troops stood in perfect formation. Surrounding them were hundreds of tanks, each one a colossal machine of war, ready to unleash destruction upon command.

Above, the sky was filled with the ominous presence of dozens of warships, each stretching at least five kilometers in length. These behemoths hovered menacingly, casting long shadows over the battlefield below.

"All of them count as just one base," Morrigan said, her voice calm yet filled with pride. "There are plenty more like it spread across the empire."

Kahn's eyes darted over the soldiers, taking in every detail of their gear and demeanor. A peculiar feature stood out: each warrior bore the insignia of the God of Darkness on their shoulders. In the center of their pitch-black armor was a dark red emblem, flanked by two vampire wings and featuring a stark white skull in the middle, symbolizing death and darkness.

The armor was equipped with advanced technology... jetpacks on their backs and boosters integrated into their boots. These enhancements allowed them to leap great heights and maneuver with the agility that defied their massive forms.

What unified them all, Kahn noticed, was their elemental affinity for darkness. It was the common thread that bound this army together, an intrinsic part of their being that powered their every action.

Kahn couldn't help but imagine this formidable force of 40,000 warriors fighting under his leadership, their might unleashed upon the battlefield. The sheer potential for destruction and domination was both thrilling and daunting.

"What are they called?" he asked, his curiosity piqued by the sight of such an overwhelming force.

"Each chapter has its own distinct name and specialization. They focus on different tasks, weapons, powers, and combat styles, each following its unique codex."

She paused, letting the anticipation build before delivering the name with reverence. "However, collectively, we call them…" replied Morrigan as she smiled knowingly, ready to reveal the name of this unparalleled army. "The Doom Templars."