The night air buzzed with tension, a palpable energy that thrummed through the camp. Lorgar stood at the edge of the flickering firelight, shadows dancing across his face, reflecting the turmoil within him. His Legionaries huddled around the flames, their laughter a stark contrast to the storm brewing in his heart.
"Did you hear what the Chaplain said today?" one of them chuckled, leaning back against a crate, the light catching the gleam of his armor.
"Oh yes! 'The Emperor walks among us!'" another barked, mimicking Erebus's booming voice. A chorus of laughter erupted, but Lorgar remained still, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
"Why do you all laugh?" he asked, his voice low and steady, slicing through the camaraderie like a blade.
A sudden hush fell over the group. The first Legionary, caught mid-laugh, blinked at Lorgar, confusion etching his features. "It's just... we're celebrating the Emperor's glory, my lord."
"Is that what you call it?" Lorgar's tone darkened, a shadow creeping into his eyes. "You mock the very faith you claim to uphold."
"But we're... we're not mocking!" the second Legionary protested, his voice rising. "It's just—"
"Just what?" Lorgar snapped, stepping closer, the firelight casting long shadows. "A jest? A game? This is not a game! We are disciples, not jesters!"
"Calm down, Lorgar," one of the more seasoned warriors said, raising his hand in a placating gesture. "We understand the weight of our mission. But we need to find joy in this hardship."
"Joy?" Lorgar echoed, incredulity spilling from his lips like poison. "Joy is a luxury we cannot afford. Not when the truth lies in ashes at our feet."
The first Legionary shifted uncomfortably, glancing to his comrades for support. "We follow you, my lord. We believe in your vision. But sometimes laughter is all we have left."
"Laughter," Lorgar muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yet what do we laugh at? The Emperor's denial? The futility of our faith?"
The group grew silent, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air, punctuated only by the crackling of the fire.
"Lorgar," a familiar voice called from behind him. Erebus, robed in crimson, approached, his expression serious, lips set in a taut line. "You must not let doubt cloud your judgment. The Emperor has a purpose for us."
"A purpose?" Lorgar shot back, spinning to face Erebus. "What purpose? To strip away our faith? To silence our devotion? We are not mere soldiers. We are the harbingers of a new belief!"
Erebus narrowed his eyes. "And yet, you defy the Emperor's will. You question His authority."
"Because His authority is built on a lie!" Lorgar's voice rang out, fierce and unwavering. "He denies His own divinity while we suffer for our belief. How can you not see this?"
"Because I choose to see the greater picture, Lorgar," Erebus replied, his tone calm but firm. "You must learn to do the same. Faith must be tempered with reason."
"Reason?" Lorgar spat, his frustration boiling over. "Reason has led us to this point—bowing to a god who refuses to acknowledge His own power. What is left for us but to forge our own destiny?"
"Destiny?" Erebus echoed, a hint of mockery creeping into his voice. "You speak as though you are the architect of our fate. But remember, Lorgar, there are forces at play far beyond your understanding."
At that moment, a chill wind swept through the camp, making the flames flicker and dance. Lorgar felt a shiver run down his spine, an unsettling premonition that wrapped around him like a vice.
"Do you feel that?" he asked, glancing at his brothers.
"Feel what?" the first Legionary replied, his brow furrowed with confusion.
"That presence," Lorgar said, stepping away from the fire, his eyes scanning the darkened landscape. "Something is watching."
Erebus followed his gaze, a frown tugging at his lips. "There's nothing out there, Lorgar. You're letting your imagination run wild."
But as Lorgar continued to peer into the shadows, he caught sight of a figure — a slender silhouette standing just beyond the campfires' glow. The figure wore a long violet coat, the hem grazing the ground, and an unsettling smile stretched across its face, teeth glinting in the night.
"Who are you?" Lorgar called, his voice steady, though a knot of unease twisted in his stomach.
The figure's laughter cut through the air like a sharp blade, and Lorgar's Legionaries recoiled, hands twitching toward their weapons.
"Ah, Lorgar," the figure said, its voice smooth and silken, coiling around the words like a serpent. "So serious. All fire and gospel. It's adorable."
"Step forward, or I will have you removed," Lorgar demanded, though a part of him felt rooted to the spot, fear mingling with curiosity.
"Such bravado!" The figure stepped into the light, revealing a face painted in grotesque hues, eyes wide and glimmering with mischief. "I'm just a humble pilgrim, watching the birth of a faith, the fall of a god, and the rise of... well, other things."
"Other things?" Lorgar asked, brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"
The figure bowed mockingly, and Lorgar's stomach twisted. "I liked your sermon, by the way. Just one question... what happens when your god doesn't like being worshipped?"
A ripple of unease passed through the
camp, the flickering fire casting long, trembling shadows. Lorgar's heart raced. "What do you know of the Emperor?"
"Oh, everything," the figure replied, its voice dripping with amusement. "But it's not what I know that matters. It's what you choose to believe."
With that, the figure turned and vanished into the smoke, laughter trailing behind like a ghost, leaving Lorgar standing frozen, a chill settling deep within his bones.
"Did you see that?" he breathed, turning to his brothers. "What in the Emperor's name was that?"
"Something unnatural," Erebus said, his eyes narrowing, calculating. "Something that seeks to undermine us."
Lorgar's mind raced, the implications swirling like a tempest. "We cannot let this stand. We must unite our belief. We must show the galaxy what the Emperor truly is."
"Or we could be walking into a trap," Erebus warned, his voice low and serious. "We must tread carefully. This could be a harbinger of greater chaos."
"Chaos?" Lorgar echoed, his fists clenching. "No. This is an opportunity. If we can harness this power, we can bring forth a new age, one where humanity thrives."
"Or one where we become pawns in a game far beyond our comprehension," Erebus replied, his gaze piercing. "Be wary, Lorgar. The path you tread is fraught with peril."
Lorgar remained silent, the weight of his convictions battling the seed of doubt that had been planted. The laughter of the figure echoed in his mind, a haunting melody that stirred something deep within him.
"Gather the Legion," he commanded, his voice steady once more. "We will not falter. We will not waver. We will build our faith, and we will show the Emperor that His denial will not be our undoing."
"Yes, my lord," his brothers replied, a renewed fire igniting in their eyes.
And as they moved to obey, Lorgar felt a strange sense of purpose wash over him, even as the laughter of the unknown figure lingered like a specter in the shadows, watching, waiting.
The cosmos shifted, and Lorgar knew — belief would demand sacrifice.
And he was ready to pay the price.