New Recruits

The encounter had been unexpectedly candid. Edward revealed everything, leaving no detail concealed. "In the Imperium, any connection to Chaos is viewed with absolute suspicion," Edward had said. "Psykers are tightly controlled, the Navigator Houses are leashed, and even the faintest touch of Chaos knowledge or artifacts leads to accusations of heresy. For most, your existence would be nothing more than an opportunity to burn another heretic, celebrating the flames as a victory against Chaos. But such actions are shortsighted, a testament to the ignorance rampant within the Imperium. The truth is, Chaos is entwined with our reality. Without it, the Imperium would collapse. Warp travel is essential, and understanding Chaos is crucial if we are to overcome it."You are unique, Kayvaan. To some, you are a heretic marked by Chaos. But to our faction, the Xanthism, your existence is invaluable. You represent an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Chaos while avoiding the blind dogma that hinders the Imperium. Others might seek to burn you, but under our protection, you'll avoid the stake. We ask only for your cooperation, and in return, we will safeguard your existence."

Kayvaan's response was calm, a quiet acceptance that intrigued Edward. There was no elation or fear—just a sense of resolve. Edward's task was clear: observe Kayvaan for three months, shadowing him like a second shadow. Every action, every word would be recorded and scrutinized to determine the truth behind the enigmatic leader.

Kayvaan had agreed without hesitation. Now, on Edward's third day, he found himself filled with anticipation. The opening of the Knights Templar selection camp promised a new chapter in his observations. The campgrounds bustled with activity, the gathered soldiers exuding discipline and pride.

 As Edward rounded the corner of the bamboo structure, he heard Kayvaan's commanding voice resonate across the training ground. "You!" Kayvaan called out, standing beneath the regimental banner with a fervor that was almost tangible. "You come from all corners of Reach! From remote villages, bustling towns, and even across the void from another Star! You are the finest the Reach sector has to offer—warriors among warriors, champions among men! To stand here today proves you are the elite, the best this galaxy has to give!"

"I am the strongest! I am the strongest!" The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices filled with fervor as they responded to Kayvaan's praise.

"But that's not enough," Kayvaan continued, his tone firm and commanding. "You may already be great, but not great enough. You may already be strong, but not strong enough. Look around—there are five hundred of you standing here today. When this elimination camp ends, only one hundred will remain. Four-fifths of you will be ruthlessly eliminated. And if you're among those eliminated, there's only one reason: the others were stronger than you. So, tell me, do you have the confidence to stay? Do you have the resolve to join the strongest and most honorable ranks?"

"I am the strongest! I am the strongest!" The warriors' cries grew louder, their collective energy shaking the very air around them.

"I hope your confidence lasts," Kayvaan said, pacing the grounds with deliberate steps. "Soon, you will experience true hell. You will groan in pain, you will curse your very existence, and some of you may even despise your own mothers for bringing you into this world. I would say you'll be pushed to the limit of human endurance, but that would be a lie. Reaching the limits of humanity won't be enough. Only by surpassing those limits—by relying on your willpower, your intellect, and the bonds with your comrades—can you hope to succeed. You must unite, overcome every obstacle, and make the impossible possible. Only then will you earn the right to stay. Those who remain will join the Knights Templar, becoming warriors who walk among the stars, guardians of humanity, living legends."

Kayvaan's eyes swept across the sea of faces. "Who will fall? And who will rise?"

The response came in a thunderous wave: "Me! Me! Me!"

"Good!" Kayvaan nodded, his voice booming with approval. "Your confidence is commendable. But before we begin, there is something you need to understand." He gestured toward the large bronze bell positioned near the field. "Do you see this bell?"

Kayvaan walked over and grasped the rope hanging beneath it, pulling it sharply. The bell's clear, resonant chime filled the air. "This is no ordinary bell," he explained. "For you, it represents a choice. Training will be brutal. If at any point you feel you can't continue, you can come here, ring this bell, and walk away. No one will mock you for it. What awaits you is unbearable pain, and for most people, choosing to leave would be the rational decision. But I'm not asking you to be rational or ordinary. What are you here to become?"

"Astartes!" the soldiers roared.

"Louder! I can't hear you!" Kayvaan bellowed.

"Astartes!" they screamed, their voices raw with determination.

"Now you're starting to sound like soldiers!" Kayvaan said with a grin. "The first phase of the Templar Elimination Camp begins now. Instructors, take them to their accommodations and begin their training. Don't waste a second!"

As the soldiers marched away in disciplined lines, the instructors preparing to subject them to grueling drills, Edward approached Kayvaan, a faint smile on his face. "That was quite the speech," Edward said. "Even I felt inspired, and I wasn't even standing in formation."

Kayvaan chuckled. "Shall we continue this conversation in my office?"

***

"Have a seat," Kayvaan said, opening a small refrigerator stocked with an array of drinks. "Want something to drink?"

"I don't drink," Edward replied.

"Well, then you'll have to try this." Kayvaan pulled out a can of soda, setting it in front of Edward. "It's not poison, despite being black and fizzy."

Edward hesitated, then opened the can, taking a tentative sip. "It's sweet... Not bad."

Kayvaan grabbed a beer for himself, popping it open with practiced ease. "So, what do you want to talk about? Or is this one of your observation sessions?"

Edward shook his head. "It's not an interrogation. I'm here to observe, yes, but today is more about getting to know you—casually. Think of it as two friends sharing a drink."

Kayvaan laughed, leaning back in his chair. "A casual chat with an Inquisitor who could sentence me to death? Sure, that's totally relaxing."

"Alcohol dulls the senses," Edward said, his tone suddenly serious. "Are you sure it's wise to drink?"

"That's the way it is," Kayvaan explained, swirling the beer bottle casually in his hand. "Drunkenness is essentially mild alcohol poisoning. When blood alcohol levels rise too high, it causes symptoms like dizziness and vomiting—your body's way of saying you've overdone it. But for most Space Marines, that's impossible. Our physiology is resistant to toxins. We can drink poison, swallow live creatures, and endure environments that would kill ordinary humans. That resilience is fundamental to our survival."

Edward tilted his head. "So drinking doesn't affect you?"

"Oh, it can, but only if I let it. I can adjust my metabolism to achieve a... well, let's call it a tipsy state. It's the sweet spot drinkers seek—the buzz without the consequences. For me, it's one of the few simple pleasures I still enjoy. Thankfully, I've never let it get in the way of my duties."

Edward nodded, then shifted the conversation. "You mentioned earlier that you glad with me coming here. What did you mean by that?"