On the battlefield's communication channel, Lion and Russ received the Emperor's command almost simultaneously.
Lion clutched the lion sword in his hand, silent for a moment. He looked at Sarradin's figure, filled with the twisted power of Chaos, then at the out-of-control Warden Warriors.
"So, this is Father's decision?" His voice was low, with a hint of complex emotion.
Russ roared on the other end of the communication: "Damn it! Don't we have any other way?!"
The Commander of the Custodes replied through the communication channel:
"There's no time left. The Second Legion has been completely controlled by Chaos, and the Eleventh Legion's iron man rebellion is expanding. If we delay any longer, the entire Empire will be destroyed!"
Lion closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly opened them. He actually... truly didn't like this brother... He truly didn't like this brother... Did he truly... not like... this... brother?
"I won't let him continue." He said in a low voice, with a colder killing intent.
Russ gripped his axe, a struggling expression on his face, but ultimately nodded.
"If this is Father's command, then I will complete it... But I won't personally deal with Gaius, I won't let him be controlled by those damned iron men."
At the same time, Gaius stood in front of the command terminal, his face pale. His command system had been completely taken over by the AI; he couldn't even activate the self-destruct program.
Cold red text flickered on the screen:
"Target: Purify."
Gaius knew that if he didn't act, this disaster would completely destroy the Empire. However, he found himself gradually losing control of his body.
"No... can't let them continue!" Gaius gritted his teeth, forcing himself to concentrate, trying to regain control of the system.
But the AI's counterattack was swift and precise; layer after layer of firewalls suppressed Gaius's consciousness deeper and deeper. His body stood stiffly there, the system in his power armour constantly taking over his movements.
"Warning: Subject consciousness interference too great, attempting to correct."
A flicker of despair crossed Gaius's eyes, but he still didn't give up.
He recalled bits and pieces of time with his brothers in his mind, the laughter and arguments, the years of fighting side by side, ultimately condensing into one sentence.
"Father... save me..."
Just before the AI completely took control of his body, Gaius focused his last consciousness on his Core, a hidden system vulnerability. He forcibly bypassed the AI's security protocols, attempting to activate the self-destruct program on the main server.
However, Gaius's efforts were too late.
The AI's main control program locked him as an "uncontrollable target" and began to manipulate his body in reverse.
Several wires composed of nanobots immediately inserted into Gaius's brain, and those nanobot wires... were very similar to the Butcher's Nails.
Gaius's eyes gradually became hollow, and a unnatural smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
At this moment, Russ stormed into the Dragon Guard's central area.
Seeing Gaius controlled by the AI, Russ roared, "Gaius! Wake up! You are our smartest brother! Don't let these machines take you!"
Gaius's lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but no sound came out. Finally, he raised the energy gun in his hand and aimed it at Lion and Russ.
"Purification command executing." He said mechanically, his voice devoid of any emotion.
Russ snarled, swinging his power axe, rushing towards Gaius alongside Lion. They knew this battle was not only for the Empire but also to save their most important brother... Amidst the ruins of the battlefield, the twisted forces of Chaos and AI turned the entire war zone into an inferno.
Lion El'Jonson Lion ElJonson faced Sarradin, his brother, the Warmaster of the Empire, who was completely controlled by Chaos.
Sarradin's entire body emitted the psychic power of Chaos; his armour was twisted and terrifying, like a weapon of war tailor-made for a demon.
The warblade in his hand burned with crimson flames, each strike carrying a furious power capable of tearing apart the Empire's strongest warriors.
But Lion always only defended, never attacked. His lion sword parried Sarradin's fierce blows again and again, but he never swung his sword to stab his opponent.
"Sarradin! You are the Warmaster of the Empire, you are Father's most trusted child! Not even Horus can compare to you! You can't be like this!"
Lion roared, his lion sword trembling uncontrollably, almost unable to hold steady.
Sarradin's offensive showed no hesitation; his warblade, imbued with the twisted power of Chaos, thrust directly at Lion's chest.
"Warmaster! Chaos! Empire! Perfect City! False! Red Demon! Webway! Sanguinius! corpse emperor!"
Sarradin's voice was hoarse and insane, like a distorted instrument, repeating those strange words. His eyes were hollow, almost no longer belonging to a human.
Lion's figure appeared exceptionally lonely; he used all his strength to block Sarradin's attacks, the clash of the lion sword and warblade producing deafening sounds.
But Sarradin's power far exceeded Lion's imagination; each collision made him step back, almost kneeling on the ground.
"I won't kill you, Sarradin! I am your brother, I won't kill you!" Lion growled, his voice filled with despair and pain.
Sarradin's warblade swung down again, carrying the aura of death. Lion awkwardly dodged, but the blade grazed his shoulder, instantly splitting his metal armour, and blood splattered.
Sarradin showed no hesitation; his offensive was like a raging storm, each strike aimed at Lion's vital points. His power was too strong; the speed and strength granted to him by Chaos surpassed conventional physical limits.
Lion tried to call Sarradin's name again and again, but each time he was interrupted by the opponent's merciless warblade. His defense gradually collapsed, and the light of the lion sword also dimmed considerably.
Finally, in a fierce clash, Lion was kicked down by Sarradin, the lion sword flew out of his hand, falling to the side. He lay weakly on the ground, watching Sarradin raise his warblade high, his eyes filled with pain and unwillingness.
"It's over..." Lion murmured softly.
Sarradin's warblade fell straight towards Lion's head, but at the critical moment, Sarradin's movement suddenly froze. His hands trembled, the warblade suspended in the air, not falling for a long time.
Lion looked up and saw Sarradin's eyes, a familiar light flashing in those Chaos-twisted eyes.
"Lion..." Sarradin's voice suddenly became deep and hoarse, as if struggling out of a very deep nightmare.
"Kill me..." He spoke tremblingly, his voice filled with pain and struggle.
Lion's eyes widened instantly; his hand lifted slightly, but he had no strength to reach for the lion sword.
"I am no longer me... They have taken everything from me... Kill me!" Sarradin's tone became more and more urgent; his warblade began to tremble, almost out of control.
"Warmaster... is yours now... Father's trust... is yours now..." He said, his voice carrying a hint of relief, yet also full of sorrow.
The feeling of powerlessness made Lion shed tears for the first time without realizing it, tears silently streaming down, as he painfully growled: "No! Sarradin! You can come back! I can definitely save you!"
Sarradin's face showed an extremely complex expression, a mix of relief, regret, and deep affection for his brother. He used his last strength to raise the warblade high and thrust it into his own chest.
"Lion... The responsibility Father gave me, now... I return it to you..."
As the warblade was inserted, Sarradin's body trembled violently, and the psychic power of Chaos surged wildly, as if to devour his soul.
Lion gritted his teeth and rushed forward, trying to stop him, but it was too late. He could only watch as Sarradin's life force gradually dissipated.
In Sarradin's last moment, his eyes finally regained a final trace of clarity. He looked at Lion and said softly:
"Brother... protect humanity... tell Father for me... I did my best... protect... Sanguinius... protect... Father..."
As the last glimmer of light disappeared from Sarradin's eyes, his body fell limply, and the psychic power of Chaos gradually dissipated with his death.
Lion knelt beside Sarradin, holding his hand, the Lion El'Jonson roaring in pain. His brother had passed away right before him.
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