XXX

"What do you want from me? I'll have you know, I'm very busy with dealing with the other Archon."

"I have found what you always wanted."

"Found?" A sarcastic laugh echoed through the empty space, hollow and bitter. "How did you find it, huh? I... I spent three thousand years searching for a way to save us."

His voice trembled with restrained fury. "I even begged you to help me. With your powerful psychic abilities, you could have found a way to save us. But what did you say to me? 'The time hasn't arrived. The Light hasn't been placed.' What does that even mean?"

His voice rose, filled with frustration. "And now… after all this time, you suddenly call me to meet you, and the first word you say is 'I found it.'"

The bitter laughter continued, sharp and mocking, until it finally faded into silence, leaving the void empty once more.

"So," A tired voice can be hear. "the 'Light' are placed then, if you said you have found it."

"Yes," A calmer and melodic voice follow. "The Light have been placed, and now a new hope have risen for us."

"And where can we found it?"

"Segmentum Tempestus, he's the one that draw much attention from your kin in that of Commorragh."

Silence followed before a bewildered voice broke through. "The Dark Knights? What do you mean I can find the Light among those Mon-keigh, who know nothing but war and destruction?"

"Their leader, Atharion, is the Light cast by their Emperor."

"The Corpse-Emperor?!" The voice bristled with disbelief. "And why would you think that one of His chosen, one of His servants, would help us?"

"He will." The melodic voice grew stronger, resonating with certainty. "He knows more than you. He will help us, for he understands what the future holds, for him, for you, for all of us."

A pause, then a sigh of reluctant can be hear. "If you are right… how do I meet him without being cut down by the Mon-keigh at his side? And even if I survive, how can you be sure he will listen?"

"You need only speak a single name. The moment he hears it, he will meet with you."

"What name?"

"Yvraine."

"Yvraine."

"How do you know this name?" Atharion ask the dark eldar, lock behind the cell.

The dark eldar didn't reply Atharion immediately, but Atharion can hear a small chuckle from the dark eldar.

Before Atharion can ask why he's chuckling about, the dark eldar speak.

"I can't believe it works." The dark eldar said. "You did meet me when you hear the name."

Atharion brow furrowed. "What do you mean by this? You hear the name from someone else? Who do you hear it from?"

The dark eldar laugh first before answering Atharion question. "You should know where I hear the name from. If you are truly who he say, then you should know."

Atharion didn't understand what does this dark eldar talking about, talking like he know who's he truly are.

....

.....

...

One of Atharion eye corner twitched as he remember someone, one that can see into the future but, more importantly, understand what it meant.

"Farseer Eldrad Ulthran," Atharion said as he look into the eyes of the dark eldar. "he's the one that tell you the name, isn't he?"

The Dark Eldar raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes and lacing his tone.

"So, you do know a great deal," he mused. "Then it's true… you are the one."

"What are you talking about?" Atharion ask. "What's the 'one' you are talking about?"

"Because you can save us." The dark eldar said with excitement. "You can save us from our doom."

"Save you?" Atharion repeated. "What do you mean by that? While the Craftworld Eldar still have a chance, you Dark Eldar already mark by She Who Thirst. Why do you think I have a way to save you?"

"You may not have the power to save us now." The Dark Eldar said, smiling. "But in the future, you will have that power."

Atharion raised one of his eyebrow. "If you said so." Atharion said. "So," Atharion look into the Dark Eldar eyes again. "why do you wish to save yourself? I don't ever saw any of your kind wish to save themselves."

The Dark Eldar chuckled before answering. "Most in Commorragh do not care for their fate, but those born into this... depravity, those who never had a choice, want out."

"That's why you sought out Eldrad." Atharion stated.

The Dark Eldar's smile widened. "Indeed," He admitted. "Eldrad sees further than any of us. He knows the patterns of fate, the paths that lead to survival... and those that lead to oblivion. He is the only one who can truly be trusted when one seeks to understand the future."

Atharion crossed his arms. "And why did he say that I could save your kind?"

"You hold the key to forging a better future," The Dark Eldar said, his smile not wavering. "Eldrad said that the future is still uncertain, still shrouded in darkness. But...." He locked eyes with Atharion, and for the first time, his expression was devoid of amusement. Only seriousness remained. "You have the power to make it brighter. Whether for the Imperium or for us, the Eldar, Craftworld or Commorragh, you have the power to shape it."

Atharion exhaled slowly. "And what makes you so sure that I will act in your favor?"

The Dark Eldar chuckled. "I'm not. But Eldrad is. And that is enough."

A silence settled between them. Atharion knew that someday, one of those people that can sense something changed, and then they will found him. But he didn't think that they will approach him this quick.

Eldar, Craftworld or Commorragh, both of them are scheming kind and cannot be trusted fully. But, there were some that can be trusted more than the others, Eldrad Ulthran, chief Farseer of Craftworld Ulthwé, is one of them.

Atharion had already considered forging a pact with certain Craftworld Eldar in preparation for the future to prepare to deal with Chaos. He even contemplated a temporary alliance with the Necrons, specifically Trazyn the Infinite. Of all the Necrons, Trazyn seemed to be one of the few who truly understood the larger threats that loomed over the galaxy.

While he remained suspicious of how far the Eldars were truly willing to go, Atharion saw this as an opportunity for future cooperation. The fact that the Dark Eldar had willingly surrendered and that Eldrad had taken the initiative to reach out meant that, at the very least, they saw him as someone worth negotiating with.

Atharion exhaled, focusing his gaze back on the Dark Eldar. "So," he said, voice measured, "the Dark Eldar who surrendered to my men... they share the same wish as you?"

The Dark Eldar's smirk faded slightly, replaced by something more contemplative. "Some do," he admitted. "Others simply follow orders, though they do not yet understand why they follow them." He leaned forward, his chains rattling slightly. "But all of them know this, the fate that awaits us is unbearable. If a path exists to escape it, even the most prideful among us will consider taking it."

"Fine," Atharion said. "I will take you at your word, for now. But if you truly wish for our trust, you must prove your sincerity. Tell me who else took part in this raid and where they are."

The smile is back on the Dark Eldar face. "Of course." He said smoothly. "There are five Kabal that participate in this raid, including my own." He shake his head a little. "Unfortunately for you, my friend, two Kabal have exited the raid when they gain enough slave. One of them already engage with the savage Mon-....." He stop, then cleared his throat theatrically. "The Space Wolves in the North, while the last Kabal are also engaging Red Wolves at the east."

"I see." Atharion said as he contemplating what to do next. "Do you hear any news of Red Talons entering the nearby systems?"

"Red Talons?" The Dark Eldar repeated, his expression thoughtful as he searched his memory. "No, I didn't remember anyone speak of that name."

Atharion nodded. "Fine. Then, among those two Kabal, which one is the largest?"

"Kabal of Void Serpent." The Dark Eldar said quickly. "They are the ones currently engaging the Space Wolves. If you intend to go there, you'd best move quickly." He paused before adding, "While they may not be the greatest Kabal in Commorragh, they take pride in their skill at fighting Space Marines."

When Atharion finish hearing his words, he order the chapter redeployment through his vox. "Infrom all the companies to regroup at Point Z-782, we will be moving north to support our cousins." Atharion stop before the room door, and turn towards the Dark Eldar. "What's your name? You can't be the only one that knows my name."

The Dark Eldar smile. "Zaerion Khyss, Archon of Silent Dawn Kabal."

===============================

154.M36

With the violent tearing of multiple rifts, the fleet of the Dark Knights emerged from the warp, their engines blazing as they transitioned back into realspace.

"What's the auspex reading?" Atharion ask as he sitting upon the throne.

"My liege, the reading show that there are void battle happen before we arrive." The shipmaster answer.

"Continue towards our objective." Atharion order. "Make sure to seek out any transmission that related to the Space Wolves."

"Yes, my liege." The shipmaster reply before turning back to continue his duties.

After twenty minutes, the shipmaster suddenly arrived in front of Atharion with a datapad on his hand.

"My liege, we have received a transmission from a Space Wolves great company." He said while handing the datapad to Atharion. "It's include a set of coordinate within the transmission, though we still don't understand what's it's for."

"Set course for the coordinate at full speed," he ordered. "Inform all vessels to be ready for combat at any moment."

Luckily, the coordinate show the local world on the current system they in. As this system have prove useless to the Imperium as the planet within it are all death world with not even raw resources can be found. Thus, the system and it's four death worlds are not designated even with the simplest name.

As the fleet go closer to the fourth planet, a Drukhari fleet can be seen around the planet. Scattered among their vessels were the wreckage of numerous ships, their shattered hulls drifting aimlessly through the void.

According to the auspex scan, most of the wreckage is from the Space Wolves vessels. Meaning either the Wolves have made planetfall to evaded destruction, or they have been wiped out.

"Prepare for battle." Atharion declare with his voice being transmit to the whole fleet. "Launch all fighters and prepare the bombers for a full strike."

The first strike come from the four Mk III Strike Cruiser heavy lance battery. Each of the shots find their target, hitting and crippled one Baleful Gaze class light cruiser, one Talon Cyriix class frigate and two Immortality Denied class destroyer. Leaving the Void Serpent with one Bleak Soul class cruiser, two Dark Mirror class light cruiser, one Bladed Lotus class light cruiser with eight Sigil class destroyer and five Venom Blade class frigate serving as their escort.

In contrast, the Dark Knights' fleet was significantly stronger, composed of two Battle Barges, six Strike Cruisers, eight Nova class frigates, and twelve Gladius class frigates forming the escort screen.

While the Drukhari vessels were far more agile than their Imperial counterparts, their lack of heavy armor meant that every hit from the Dark Knights' weapons would be devastating. Knowing this, the Void Serpent fleet immediately began evasive maneuvers, their ships darting and weaving like shadows in the void, seeking to flank the larger Imperial warships.

"Enemy vessels attempting to outmaneuver us, my liege!" A bridge officer reported.

"Order the Gladius to spread out in pair, intercept the Dark Eldar." Atharion. "The fighters are to follow the Dark Eldar vessels and upload their coordinates to the fleet datalink."

With these coordinates uploaded by the fighters, the Nova class frigates fire their lance with terrifying accuracy, each shots hit their target. This force the Void Serpent vessels to keep moving around to avoid being hit, but this also limit their combat ability.

One Sigil class destroyer was caught mid-dodge, its sleek frame evaporating under the concentrated fire of two Nova class frigates. With the rest of their vessels also have varied damages, being not only hit by Nova class frigates, but also engage by the Gladius class frigates and the fighters.

"Void Serpent fleet adjusting formation, my liege," the auspex officer reported. "They're pulling back toward the fourth planet's orbit."

"They're trying to use the planet's gravity well to slingshot around us," the shipmaster noted grimly. "Classic raider tactics."

"Reposition the Gladius squadrons to intercept them," Atharion ordered, his eyes fixed on the holo-display. "Move the battle barges and strike cruisers into an engagement pattern, force the Dark Eldar into a kill zone. They must not escape."

The fleet swiftly adjusted, the Gladius frigates breaking off to cut off potential escape vectors, while the Battle Barges and Strike Cruisers advanced with relentless precision. The Dark Eldar, realizing their maneuver had been anticipated, responded with desperation, their vessels darting in unpredictable patterns to avoid the tightening Imperial net.

The Bleak Soul-class cruiser, the largest Void Serpent vessel, suddenly surged forward, its engines burning bright as it fired a concentrated volley of dark energy towards one of the Strike Cruisers. The shields flickered violently under the impact, but the Strike Cruiser held firm.

"Damage report!" Atharion barked.

"Minimal, my liege," the shipmaster responded. "Shields absorbed most of it, but the enemy is pressing the attack."

"Target that cruiser with all available lance batteries. Bring it down." Atharion said coldly.

One Mk III strike cruisers and four Nova class frigates adjusted their targeting solutions, their lance arrays charging with a deadly hum. Moments later, a volley of high-energy beams lanced through the void, slamming into the Bleak Soul-class cruiser's hull. Its void shields collapsed under the assault, and secondary explosions rippled along its frame as internal systems overloaded.

"Direct hits!" the auspex officer reported. "Enemy cruiser is losing power. It's trying to withdraw!"

"Not today," Atharion muttered. "Have the Indomitable Wrath close in. Finish it."

The Indomitable Wrath unleashed a devastating broadside, its massive macro-cannons roaring as they sent volley after volley into the crippled cruiser. Armor plates shattered, entire sections of the ship tore apart, and within moments, the vessel detonated in a cataclysmic explosion, leaving only debris in its wake.

The destruction of the Bleak Soul-class cruiser sent a wave of panic through the remaining Void Serpent vessels. Some attempted to flee, but the Gladius frigates were already in position, cutting them down as they tried to break away. Others fought to the bitter end, lashing out with splinter cannons and dark matter lances, but against the sheer firepower of the Dark Knights, they stood no chance.

With the Void Serpent fleet destroy, Atharion order a full scan upon the planet to see if they are any Space Wolves still alive on the surface.

"My liege," the shipmaster moved quickly toward Atharion, urgency in his voice. "We've received a distress signal from the planet's surface. It's encoded with Space Wolves identifiers."

"Prepare the Stormbird." Atharion said as he raise from his throne. "Inform the 2nd company to make planetfall. 4th company shall gain command over the fleet and 8th company will be ready themselves for planetfall at a moment's notice if reinforcements are required."

"Understood, my liege." The shipmaster bowed before relaying the orders.

After thirty minutes, a Stormbird and twelve Thunderhawks, escorted by twenty-four Nephilim Jetfighters, descended toward the planet's surface.