Warhammer 40: Doom

Chapter 262 Phoenix
The garden fell silent. The fleeting sadness pierced Ms. Euton's heart. She was speechless with shock, knowing that she had reopened the wounds in the original heart.

The woman wanted to apologize, but didn't know how to express it; a surge of guilt choked her, preventing her from speaking.

Doom shook his head and waved his hand, indicating that Yoton shouldn't take it to heart: "It was just an unintentional mistake. Separation and death are things that everyone must experience, and regret cannot prevent it."

He finished speaking calmly, concealing his sadness deep within his emotions, and revealed a relieved smile.

"Please accept my condolences..." Ms. Euton sighed regretfully, without giving it much thought.

He believed that the King of Warriors' mother died of natural causes, which allowed him to be so magnanimous and cherish that love in his heart.

Only the Doom Warriors know that in the mind link, overwhelming hatred flashes like a thunderclap and then vanishes without a trace.

“Madam, I must go now.” Doom bent down, reached out, gently took Yoton’s arm, and kissed the back of her porcelain-white hand to say goodbye.

"Sir, did my words offend you?" Feeling the warmth of his hand and sensing the farewell in his words, Ms. Eudon's face showed apology.

She believed it was her fault for bringing up those painful memories, which made the Primarch consider leaving.

“No, that’s not it.” Doom stood up, his tall and imposing figure standing tall and straight. He looked down at the lady and shook his head to reassure her: “I have been away from the fleet for too long and need to rejoin them.”

"During the search for the aliens, the situation could change drastically at any moment. As the fleet commander, I must return to oversee the fleet."

Doom has indeed been away from the fleet for a long time, almost half a Terran year since he went to Nocturne. He really needs to return to the fleet.

The First Fleet is searching for Ran Dan in the void. Once it makes a discovery, Ran Dan will surely unleash swift and decisive measures.

In an unprecedentedly large fleet, the lives of millions of soldiers depended on one man, and he, as the commander, failed to fulfill his responsibilities.

“I understand,” Ms. Euton said, knowing the bigger picture and the seriousness of the situation. She did not mention Guilliman again or try to persuade him to stay.

She lifted her skirt, bowed in the Macurac court etiquette, and said softly, "May your wish be fulfilled, and may your sword drink the blood of your enemies."

Doom nodded, solemnly accepting the lady's blessing, and returned the greeting, saying, "May you enjoy good health and longevity, and may you continue to guide my brother in the days to come."

With that, Doom turned and left with a flourish.

His cloak twirled as he strode toward the council chamber, his ceremonial boots clicking on the marble floor.

Lady Yoton watched the King of Warriors leave until his majestic figure disappeared around the corner before slowly straightening up.

It felt as if that departing figure carried too many responsibilities on its shoulders and bore unspeakable sorrow.

The woman's intuition was exceptionally clear; she felt that the Emperor and Doom were very similar, both silently enduring loneliness for their respective careers and responsibilities.

“Perhaps…” Lady Yoton’s azure eyes were filled with pity. She understood why the King of Warriors could sit with the Emperor.

"They have a great cause to accomplish, and they have to face a deeper darkness."

Doom hurriedly arrived at the council chamber, expressed his intention to leave, and refused his brothers' attempts to persuade him to stay. Guilliman and Vulcan insisted on seeing him off, and the group then went to the spaceport.

“I really hope to have more conversations with you,” Guilliman said sincerely, his face full of regret. He shook hands with Doom, and while regretting the parting, he wished his brother well: “I hope you find Randan soon, and then we brothers will fight together against the enemy.”

Doom smiled broadly and embraced Guilliman sincerely: "Getting Makulagg under control as soon as possible is your top priority."

"I will." After the hug, Guilliman's face was serious, his eyes were bright, and he solemnly promised his brother: "I will complete the integration as soon as possible and participate in the Great Expedition."

“We’ll meet again someday.” Vulcan shook hands with Doom, his usually expressionless dark face revealing his deep reluctance to part: “I look forward to fighting alongside you.”

"Today's parting is for tomorrow's reunion." Domra pulled over to Vulcan, embraced the tall brother, and listened to each other's burning heartbeats.

The brothers exchanged no more words and watched Doom enter the cabin. The Night Guards and Legion warriors gathered their ceremonial guards and followed him onto the ship.

The landing ship's engines flashed, spewing out a deep blue exhaust, and the bow lifted into the void as it slowly accelerated away.

Once the landing ship was out of sight, the two exchanged a smile, breaking free from their sadness at parting, and strode toward the council chamber.

As Doom said, today's parting is for a better reunion in the future, and doing our best in the present is the most important thing.

Negotiations between the two sides regarding the incorporation of Macurag into the Empire are in full swing, with major agreements reached and detailed rights and benefits specified.

Only after finishing the negotiations and entering the Great Crusade can I reunite with my brothers in the void.

Doom returned to the Royal Majesty, removed his ornate ceremonial armor, and reverted to his usual attire. A black cloak, shoulder armor on his upper body, and half-armor on his lower body—a wild and unrestrained style that he found quite comfortable.

"Heading to the First Fleet's Void Base."

He sat in his room issuing orders and casually activated the holographic game system to dispel the tedium of subspace travel.

"Warspace route locked, warspace engines activated, Geller field engaged, expected arrival in two Terra weeks."

Navigator Franshka's cool voice rang out as the Royal Majesty departed the real universe and entered the warp to head towards its destination.

After a brief moment of relaxation, Doom put down the game and headed to the training deck to finish the work that had been interrupted by the Emperor.

On the Royal Majesty, the training deck is a bustling area, frequented by the largest groups of warriors when there is no fighting.

Whether they are members of the Imperial Guard, Doomsday Warriors, Night Watchers, mortal warriors, or representatives of other legions, they all vent their excess energy here.

Ordinary warriors are slightly different; their individual combat strength is low, and their training focuses more on teamwork.

The auxiliary troops used holographic images to simulate various enemy images in the holographic training field to conduct various targeted training exercises.

At the entrance to the training ground, Doom browsed the basic information to get a general idea of ​​the situation inside.

There are now three support legions, each with ten thousand members, fighting against alien creatures in the simulated Randan battlefield to strengthen Randan's countermeasures.

He nodded silently. The Nur auxiliary army had a positive and energetic spirit, cherishing every second and constantly honing their skills.

The auxiliary forces knew that mortals' lifespan and physical capabilities were no match for those of Space Marines, so they naturally cherished their time and strengthened their teamwork skills.

Inside the training grounds, ordinary people were rarely seen; instead, they were all burly, extraordinary warriors.

There were Imperial Guards who had removed their armor and were fighting Doomsday Warriors, Night Guards and Space Marines dueling, and even Iron Men watching the spectacle.

Upon seeing Doom approaching, they all stopped their contest and paid their respects to the King of Warriors.

He waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to continue their activities, and walked up to one of them alone.

The warrior stood up, wearing only shorts, his muscular physique displaying explosive power. He bowed somewhat reservedly: "King Norwick."

Doom put his arm around his shoulder, gesturing for him to sit down with him. The two sat on the edge of the arena, watching the swords dance in the arena.

"How are you feeling?" he asked casually. "Having returned from the brink of death, have you gained any insights?"

This soldier was the one whose body was half blown off, but who fought against death with his will and survived after having a gene seed implanted.

“Phoenix.” Doom called out the Night Guard’s name, shaking his head and sighing at the capriciousness of fate: “Your name is like your destiny, reborn from death.”

Phoenix. In ancient Terran legends, it symbolizes the phoenix, representing death and rebirth, eternity and immortality.

Legend has it that when it dies, its body will turn into a ball of flame and burn to ashes, and a new body will be born from the ashes.

Doom remembered the names of all the Night Guardians, and when he saw Phoenix, he naturally thought of the meaning behind the name.

It's a reminder of the capriciousness of fate, how legends can become reality.

Phoenix remained expressionless, clenching his fists as he felt a surge of power welling up within him.

Compared to before, the reborn body is stronger, does not feel tired, and is always in its best condition.

"My lord, I am lost." He released his grip, his body, brimming with boundless power, uttering weak words:
"What am I now? Night Watcher? Doom Slayer? Your genetic offspring?"

Phoenix was somewhat frustrated; he felt lost about his identity and didn't know where he should go from here.

From the moment he awoke, he was filled with sorrow, and the inner turmoil caused by the trials left Phoenix silent and anxious.

He was once a Night Watcher, and now he's become a Doom Slayer. How can he reconcile his dual identity?

“In my opinion,” Doom said slowly and heavily, looking at the extraordinary swordsmen sparring in the arena, “you are a bridge, an important medium connecting them.”

(End of this chapter)