The Knight Rank

The rally point was an abandoned structure deep in the ruins, far from prying eyes. Kayvaan was the first to arrive, watching the countdown in his HUD. One by one, shapes emerged from the shadows like wraiths materializing from the void.

"Cream Bread Squad, reporting in. Captain, good to see you on the front."

"Chocolate Squad, present. Encountered a few greenskins along the way. They won't be reporting anything."

"Black Bread Squad, accounted for."

"Marshmallow Squad, in position."

"Cream Candy Squad, ready."

More and more figures faded into existence, soundless as death. Within moments, eleven more warriors stood in formation, unseen to all but each other, blending seamlessly into the darkness. Kayvaan nodded. "Good. You all made it on time, avoided unnecessary engagements, and silenced anything you couldn't avoid. That's how it should be. You executed your orders with precision."

 His tone darkened. "For a normal soldier, that would be enough. But you are not normal soldiers." His gaze swept over them, voice low but sharp. "The Lord's Legion—my legion—has deployed three special operations teams. Not one has returned. They vanished. No word, no trace, nothing. Compared to them, you're still standing. That makes you better. But if any of you are feeling proud—if any of you think that this means something—I will personally put a bolt through your skull." His voice hardened. "Understand this: that was not a compliment. It was an insult."

He took a slow step forward, ensuring they absorbed his words. "Who are you? You are Astartes. The chosen of the Emperor. The warriors who walk among the stars. And those who failed before? They were mere mortals. Our duty is to protect them. Your superiority is not a question—it is a fact."

His voice grew softer, colder. "Since you completed your training and joined the Chapter, your rank has remained at the most basic level—Knight. Fourteen years have passed, and yet you have not risen. Now, an opportunity stands before you. Those who prove themselves in this mission will have the honor of being elevated to the rank of Shadow Knight. This is a distinction you will carry for the rest of your days, but it is not awarded to fools who charge blindly into battle. You must be smarter, more cunning. You must become the darkness. Only then will your name be whispered in fear by the enemy." 

Kayvaan had built a structured, disciplined hierarchy within his Knights Templar, but he never referred to them as mere soldiers—they were Knights.

At the bottom were the Knights' Squires—recruits who had completed training but had not yet undergone the full transformation into Astartes. Some lacked the necessary physical qualities, others had yet to find a compatible genetic template within the Chapter's gene-forge, and some possessed skills better suited to other roles. While not yet battle-brothers, they were still crucial to the warband's operations, performing essential duties that kept the Chapter running smoothly. Without them, the warband would grind to a halt.

Once a recruit successfully underwent the genetic enhancements and entered the Second Growth phase, they became Knights—full-fledged Astartes. This was the foundation of the Chapter. At this stage, a warrior would continue their training, sharpening their combat abilities, and undergoing mission after mission to refine their skills in real battle. As they progressed, their inherited genetic gifts would manifest, shaping their physical and mental attributes, accelerating their learning, and unlocking their full potential. But simply becoming a Knight was only the beginning. A warrior had to choose their path—a role that would define them within the Chapter.

Some chose to pursue balanced development, becoming Silver Knights. These warriors were the Chapter's adaptable elite, trained in all forms of combat but masters of none. They were the ones who could be thrown into any battlefield, given any mission, and still emerge victorious. Their versatility made them invaluable in chaotic engagements. Those who excelled would ascend to the rank of Templar Knights—legends within the Chapter, destined for leadership and greater responsibilities.

Others had more specialized callings.

For those who preferred overwhelming firepower, there was the path of the Wind Knights. These warriors wielded weapons so heavy that most humans required vehicles to carry them. But for an Astartes, such burdens were a test of strength and endurance. Their bolters sang like the howling wind, their shots striking before the enemy even realized death was upon them. With devastating suppressive fire, they shattered formations, their relentless firepower cutting down anything that dared to stand against them.

Then there were those who reveled in the chaos of melee combat—the Sword Knights. They thrived in the fray, where blood and steel danced in brutal harmony. With roaring chainswords and jump packs, they struck like meteors, carving through enemy ranks with unrelenting fury. To them, the sound of rending flesh and the spray of blood were the purest expressions of warfare. Heavily armored, they led the charge, their sheer aggression crushing enemy morale before the battle had even begun.

And then there were the Shadow Knights—Kayvaan's most prized warriors. If the Chapter was a fist, then the Shadow Knights were its eyes. They were the vanguard, the infiltrators, the assassins. They gathered intelligence, sabotaged enemy operations, and ensured the Chapter always struck with perfect precision. First to land, last to leave, they were the unseen hands that shaped the battlefield before the first shot was fired. They were ghosts, existing in the void between light and darkness.

Regardless of the path chosen, no advancement came easily. Every step forward demanded mastery of specialized combat techniques, grueling trials, and further surgical augmentations that would break lesser men. Above all, it required the will to rise.

In this mission, those who prove themselves worthy will have the chance to ascend to the rank of Shadow Knight. But even beyond that, there are greater heights. Only the most exceptional among them—those who not only survive but excel—will be granted the privilege of undergoing the most brutal trials. Those who pass will earn the title of Shadow, a distinction that represents not only their standing within the Chapter but also their strength, skill, and unshakable honor.

Every warrior in the Knights Templar understood this. Yet, for the past decade, Kayvaan had devoted most of his attention to fortifying the Chapter's internal structure. New recruits had joined, but no true war had tested them. For years, their training had consisted of small-scale skirmishes and relentless drills, forging their discipline and skill. Now, at last, the time had come to use them. Decades of training were about to be put to the test, and the warriors were eager for it.

The soldiers were restless. They longed for battle, for a true battlefield where they could claim victory and glory. They hungered for the title of Shadow Knight. They wanted to prove to Kayvaan that they were the best.

Kayvaan scanned their faces, reading the unspoken desires in their eyes. Good. He lowered his voice, letting it roll over them like a whisper of steel. "I see your hunger for battle. That is good," he said. "But remember this—you must keep it leashed. The beast within you is powerful, but if you let it run free, it will consume you. Our path is not one of reckless fury but of precision, patience, and calculation. Shadow Knights do not fight with mere courage; we fight with intelligence. Keep your mind sharp. Never lose control."

The warriors responded with a unified, low growl of affirmation. "Understood!"