The strongest astral army in Warhammer 40K

Chapter 265 The Real Enemy

The air within the tomb seemed to freeze. The instant Astram cleaved the sarcophagus open with his sword, a suffocating surge of chaotic energy erupted like a volcanic eruption. The saint's desiccated corpse tumbled from the sarcophagus, his withered face still bearing that eerie smile. Yet, that smile now seemed utterly ironic.

The entire tomb began to shake violently, countless cracks appeared on the black pyramid's surface, and rubble and dust fell from the top. Russell and Astran stood beside the sarcophagus, the ground beneath their feet beginning to crumble.

“We’ve been fooled again.” Astram’s voice was low and cold, his gaze fixed on the depths of the pyramid. “The saint is not the incarnation of the demon… the true Thousand-Faced Demon Lord is sealed within the pyramid.”

Russell's heart sank. His golden psionic energy surged violently within him, as if warning him of impending danger. He gripped the Blooddrinker entrenching tool tightly, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings: "We must get out of here!"

However, it was too late.

A blinding purplish-black light burst forth from the cracks in the pyramid, and a powerful surge of psionic energy swept across the entire tomb. The ground collapsed completely, forcing Russell and Astran to leap aside, barely avoiding a fall into the abyss.

"Mortals..." A deep, authoritative voice echoed from the depths of the pyramid, as if from another dimension, "You think you can stop me?"

With that sound, a colossal figure slowly rose from the shattered pyramid. Its body was like flowing darkness, its surface covered with countless distorted faces, each emitting a different sound—laughter, weeping, screams—weaving into a maddening symphony. Its eyes, like two blood moons, looked down upon the ants on the ground.

The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord, the true god of chaos, has descended.

Astram's expression turned incredibly grave, his silver flame greatsword trembling slightly in his hand, as if sensing his tension: "Russell, this time we might really..."

“Don’t talk such discouraging things!” Russell interrupted him, a dazzling halo of golden psionic energy forming around him. “We haven’t lost yet!”

The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's laughter echoed through the tomb, its voice filled with endless mockery: "Interesting... You think you can fight me with this little bit of power?"

With a gentle swipe of its arm, a powerful surge of psionic energy sent Russell and Astran sprawling to the ground. Russell's golden psionic energy barely withstood the attack, but blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. Astran was in worse shape; his armor was tattered, and the light from his silver flame greatsword had dimmed.

“We must find a way…” Russell stood up with difficulty, a resolute glint in his eyes.

Astram nodded, a final fighting spirit igniting in his eyes: "For the Emperor!"

The two charged at the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord once more, their Bloodthirsty entrenching tools and silver-flame greatswords leaving dazzling streaks of light in the darkness. However, their attacks seemed utterly powerless before the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord. The God of Chaos merely waved his arm, repelling them once more.

"The struggle of ants..." The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's voice carried a hint of mockery, "Let me see how long you can hold out?"

Russell gritted his teeth, feeling the newly acquired psionic power surging within him. He knew this was their last chance.

"Asterland! Cover me!" Russell shouted, concentrating all his psionic energy on the Blood Drinker shovel.

Without hesitation, Astram brandished his silver-flame greatsword and charged towards the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord, attempting to draw its attention. Russell seized the opportunity to unleash "Psionic Storm," golden lightning bolts swirling like a swarm of dancing snakes as they hurtled towards the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord.

The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's laughter abruptly ceased, and its body began to crumble under the corrosive influence of golden spiritual energy. However, this collapse was only temporary.

"Interesting power..." The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's voice held a hint of greed, "But that's not enough!"

Its body reformed, and dark energy surged towards Russell and Astram like a tidal wave. The two were utterly overwhelmed by this force and crashed heavily to the ground.

“It seems… this is our end.” Astram’s voice carried a hint of bitterness.

The air within the tomb seemed to be torn apart as the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's dark energy swept in like a tidal wave. Russell and Astran were completely suppressed by this power, unable even to stand. Russell's golden psionic energy was exhausted, and the light from his Bloodthirsty entrenching tool had dimmed. Astran's silver flame greatsword was stuck in the ground, the runes on its blade completely extinguished, his armor tattered, blood seeping from the cracks.

The figure of the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord loomed over them like a nightmare, its voice filled with endless mockery: "Your struggles are laughable. Now, let me end this tedious game."

Its arm slowly rose, dark energy gathering in its palm to form a massive vortex. Russell and Astran exchanged a glance, a flicker of despair in their eyes. They no longer had the strength to resist.

However, just as the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord was about to launch his fatal attack, a deep roar suddenly echoed from within the tomb. The voice seemed to come from the depths of hell, filled with endless rage and resentment.

The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord suddenly stopped moving, its gaze shifting to the mummified corpse of a saint beside the stone coffin. The corpse's surface began to crack, and an eerie green light emanated from beneath its decaying skin. Its shriveled limbs began to swell, and its bones emitted a sickeningly loud cracking sound.

"This...is impossible..." For the first time, a wave of emotion appeared in the voice of the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord.

The saint's corpse suddenly stood up, its body instantly swelling into a gigantic zombie, its rotting muscles and bones exposed, green psionic energy flickering around it. Its eyes, like two burning flames, stared intently at the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord.

"You... betrayed me..." The zombie's voice was like sandpaper rubbing together, filled with endless resentment.

The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's laughter abruptly stopped, and it took a slight step back: "You're already dead... How could that be..."

The zombie did not answer; its body lunged at the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord, its rotting giant hand slamming down on the God of Chaos. The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord was forced to fight back, and dark energy collided with green psionic energy in mid-air, erupting in a dazzling light.

Russell and Astran were thrown to the ground by the aftershocks of the force. They struggled to their feet, staring in disbelief at the scene before them. Two colossal beings were engaged in a fierce battle within the tomb, each collision causing the entire space to tremble.

"What...what exactly happened?" Astram's voice was tinged with shock.

Russell's gaze was fixed on the saint's zombie, a terrifying thought flashing through his mind: "Perhaps... the saint wasn't a tool used by the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord... but rather his prisoner."

A flash of understanding crossed Astran's eyes: "The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord sealed the Saint's power, turning him into a dried corpse... and now, the Saint's resentment has resurrected him."

Before the two could finish speaking, the zombie's giant hand had already seized the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's body, and green psionic energy coiled around the God of Chaos like a venomous snake. The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord let out a painful roar, and dark energy erupted around its body as it tried to break free of its restraints.

"You...don't even think about it..." The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's voice carried a hint of panic.

The zombie's roar grew louder, its body suddenly swelled, and green psionic energy erupted like a volcano. The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's body began to crumble under the corrosive influence of the psionic energy, and the dark energy receded like a tide.

“This is…our chance!” Russell struggled to his feet, golden psionic energy surging within him once more.

Astram nodded, and his silver-flame greatsword shone brightly once more: "For the Emperor!"

The two charged into the battlefield, their Bloodthirsty entrenching tools and silver-flame greatswords leaving dazzling streaks of light in the darkness. The Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's body utterly crumbled under the combined assault of the Saint's zombies and the two, and the dark energy receded like a tide.

The tremors in the tomb gradually subsided, and the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's laughter echoed in the air: "This... is not the end..."

Its form vanished completely, leaving only the saint's zombie standing in place. The zombie's body began to disintegrate, and the green psionic energy gradually dissipated. Its gaze turned to Russell and Astran, a complex emotion flashing in its eyes.

"Thank you..." The zombie's voice carried a hint of relief.

Its body turned to dust, and peace returned to the tomb. Russell and Astran collapsed to the ground, their hearts filled with complex emotions as they gazed at the scene before them.

"We...won?" Astram's voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

Russell did not answer; his gaze remained fixed on the spot where the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord had disappeared. He knew that the victory in this battle was only temporary—the Thousand-Faced Demon Lord's power was far greater than what he had witnessed.

“This is just the beginning…” Russell murmured, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.