Jolted awake from the temporary reprieve that is unconsciousness, I hold my side in agony before realizing there are even bigger problems afoot. Having been captured by the Dark Kin during a raid on an Eldar convoy, every moment I am awake reminds me of the poisoned barbs that cut through my heavy armor and disabled me during the battle. The damnable Drukhari... The armor of a Striking Scorpion is among the thickest the Craftworld provides, yet they still managed to get their accursed toxins through.
The ship rocks with a violent explosion, and I look to my companion, Farseer Meneriel, who seems even worse for wear than me. He looks up at me with clouded eyes, "The ship is under attack, Kayvel, but I do not sense our kin." He coughs as he speaks, blood and crystal-like splinters falling from his mouth. "I apologize, Exarch, but I'll be leaving you to face this alone, my time has come." He tremble as he takes one more breath, and then the Spirit Stone that will protect his soul from She Who Thirsts starts to glow, signifying his soul now resides within it.
"Damn you, old man.... I was supposed to die before you." It was my task to protect him, and I failed. It looks like they threw me into this cell with all of my gear, my armor is still on, and even my massive Biting Blade sits on the floor. I guess my captors figured they would have no trouble extracting me from this cell when the time came.
*Ka-BOOOM*
The structure of the vessel shudders as another blast impacts the hull. Looking past the bars of my cage, I hear or see no signs of life. I could try my blade, but they wouldn't have left it if I could cut through, so I'd prefer to only try that as a last resort. This could all be a game by my sadistic captors, and any attempt on my part might end in death. I turn to pluck Meneriel's Spirit Stone off his body, but when I turn back around, I am startled by the sight.
A girl, a human girl, is standing at the bars looking in. She seems to be gazing at me in awe, and when she opens her mouth, she speaks in High Gothic in a musical accent that sounds positively wonderful to my ears, "A-Are you ok? The slavers have fled their ship through some sort of portal." I was forced to learn this barbaric language as part of a diplomatic mission, but the is the first time it has ever sounded pleasing to my ears when a Mon-keigh spoke it.
I can't seem to tell if this girl is an illusion created by some twisted Dark Kin Haemonculi, perhaps one of their many biological abominations made in a more normal form, or just simply another prisoner. The girl is in tatters of what was once, for a human, fine clothing. Her exposed flesh is flawless, but she doesn't seem to be worried about modesty in this moment of crisis (or torture, I'm still uncertain...). Long, vibrant red hair falls down her back, framing her perfectly crafted visage.
Even with a swollen eye from my recent injuries, I am still able to make out the beauty of her face, even with the smear of soot from battle covering parts of it. I don't quite know what to say; this scenario isn't covered in the Striking Scorpions' training regimen.
"...Yes." My voice cracks, and I feel embarrassed when the girl smiles brilliantly at my reply. As much as my people look down on humanity, I can't afford the luxury of being condescending here. "Young one, can you open my cell. We must escape this place." I can feel Meneriel's Spirit Stone pulse as words flood my mind, 'trust', 'protect', 'help'. Is the Farseer trying to tell me something despite his demise? Why did those three words specifically come to my mind? No matter, what other option do I have but to trust this girl.
"Yes. The hold on the level below lost power and all the captives were set loose, I saw how these doors operate." She runs her hand over a panel outside, and the cell opens. "S-Something... I could feel something calling me to this hall. I'm glad I found someone alive, the rest of the cells are empty."
I stand up and grab my weapon, the girl not even flinching as I hold the massive chainsword in front of her. I walk forward when another explosion rocks the hull, causing me to stagger instead. The girl grabs my arm, not able to offer much support but doing what she can. I swear I can feel her through my armor... I should be disgusted at a lower life form touching me, but instead, I almost welcome the sensation.
She leans close, and my heart leaps into my throat before I regain control. "It seems whoever has taken issue with our captives is still attacking, despite their absence. We must get off this ship." I tell her, matter-of-fact. "If you spot trouble, let me handle it." Not that I'm in any condition to fight, but this mysterious savior of mine doesn't seem to be built for combat.
"I-I'm Rose," she offers, suddenly nervous again.
"My name is Kayvel of the Striking Scorpion temple."
***
The condition of the ship is growing worse; fires, hull breaches, and more obstacles impede our ability to abscond from the doomed vessel. We haven't encountered another soul, Drukhari or alien, but I don't have time to think about the reasons. Fortunately, the attack seems to have halted, dooming the craft to a slow death in space. That being said, I don't want to be part of that death, and our salvation might lie in the escape pod in front of us.
I doubt the Dark Kin use these lightly, but for them, what awaits after death is worse than being crammed in an escape pod, so I'll thank them for their prudence. Rose helps me into the pod, and then follows me in. It isn't as hellish as the interior of the ship, I suppose the Drukhari need their comforts if they are going to be castaway into space. Smashing the button I think launches the thing, I'm rewarded with an explosion as the pod ejects from the ship and hurtles through space.
It seems to have some sort of destination in mind, and I see no means of altering the trajectory. I was exhausted when I awoke in my cell, and now I'm on the verge of collapse. I turn to look at the human girl, who eyes me with a mix of curiosity and fear. If we survived all of that, it feels safe enough to let down my guard just a bit. I lean back against the padding meant to keep the Drukhari passengers comfortable, and shut my eyes.
***
When I awaken, it is not to the sound of the roaring engines of the escape pod, but instead the chirping of birds and the smell of fresh, clean air. The first thing I notice is that my armor is off, and that my wounds have been cleaned and bandaged. I'm still laying in the escape pod, but the door is open, and sunlight spills into the interior. I reach to touch the bandages and am surprised when I find that there is no pain. It is then I note with some alarm that Meneriel's Spirit Stone is missing.
I sit up, groaning as my aching muscles get used to working again after my convalescence. Before I can reach the door of the ship, Rose pops her head in. "Y-You are awake?! You've been asleep for days!" She seems quite relieved at that.
Days?! Even though a Drukhari would have needed very little sustenance, the human must have been in a precarious position, but she appears fit and well fed. As my mind slowly comes back to consciousness, I realize I am also completely unclothed beneath my robes.
"W-What is the meaning of this?!" I demand, furious and feeling violated. I draw my cloak tightly around my naked body in a state of panic.
"I had to clean your wounds, you looked like death was ready to claim you!" She protests my fury. "Don't worry, I kept everything modest!"
"Where's the stone I was carrying?" My anger not quenched, I continue to interrogate her. I don't know if this girl is somehow complicit with the Dark Kin that enslaved us, and I won't allow myself to fall into a trap while I'm defenseless!
"Grandfather? He asked me to put him in this tree." She states, as if that were supposed to explain anything. Following the direction of her pointing finger, I am amazed to find Meneriel's spirit stone nestled inside a small tree, crystal slivers embedded in the wood surrounding it.
"Grandfather? And you can hear him?" If this human can hear the dead Farseer's soul inside his stone, she must have some kind of psychic potential.
My question makes Rose blush. "Y-Yes. He told me to call him that... and he said he could teach me to use my... powers..."
The damned old man asked this human to call him Grandfather? Even in death he's screwing with me. "Please accept my apologies, human." I bow low from my seated position. "I mean no harm, I simply didn't understand our situation and my words came out harsher than I intended."
"Th-There's nothing to forgive!" Rose protests. "Your kindness when I first woke you up led me to believe you wouldn't hurt me, and he said I should look after you. And that you are stubborn." Her eyes flick towards the Spirit Stone embedded in the tree, a sly smile on her lips. "Let me go get you something to wear! There was some fabric on board the pod, I was able to use it to make something serviceable."
While the woman babbles, I take stock of my surroundings and notice that I'm in a grassy field surrounded by trees. This would be classified as a Maiden world, the perfect place for my people to regrow our dying civilization. However, I see no signs of development, nor intelligent life. "Rose," I interrupt her, "Have you encountered anyone, or anything, here?"
"Nope. I found several sources of fresh water, and some strange fruits. I wasn't sure if they were edible, but Grandfather assured me they were fine." I STILL can't believe he has her calling him that. I'm half tempted to break his stone and send him straight to Slaanesh... I can even feel his amusement in that tree from here!
*** One week later ***
There's no sign of life or rescue and we're starting to realize we may be stuck here. Rose doesn't seem to mind, she finds peace in caring for me and healing my wounds. It seems her 'powers' are actually just very minor gifts compared to the Eldar, but she spends a great deal of time speaking to Meneriel at the tree, or 'Grandfather's tree' as she puts it. I know the Exodites make similar use of nature as he has done, but I admit that the specifics are beyond my understanding. Sometimes she even wears his helm, and has figured out how to activate his spear... I guess he is training her. I never thought such a thing could happen without proper guidance and study, but I guess she's learning from a dead spirit trapped in a tree.
For my own part, I have found that the small grove we landed in has become an ideal place to train. A gentle stream flows near the escape pod, which Rose uses for laundry and bathing, I find its flow soothing and I enjoy spending time sitting by this stream and listening to the music it creates. At the edge of the forest, I have been able to find some targets for my drills. I considered myself lost on the Path of the Striking Scorpion, but something about this planet grounds my soul and leaves me feeling at peace.