Read the prologue here: https://redd.it/fl3goq

The escape pod was barely big enough to move freely his forearms around the pod. Daelus quickly looked through his supplies. He still had 4 magazines for his bolt pistol, his trusty blades, his grenades and 3 magazines for his bolter. With the pod’s inner supplies of nutrients as well as his armor’s, he could lives the next 2 years if he remained conscious or 47 years in suspended animation, before he would ran out of supplies. He also had a trauma kit and some combat stimulants. In a mysterious twist of fate, he was propelled out of the Warp, along with some ruins of the Spear. He could maybe try and get more supplies but that would be extremely dangerous as he doesn’t have a jump pack to travel in space. There was too much chances he would miss his targets, he calculated.

“Machine spirit, prepare to enter in suspended animation. Reactivate the systems when pressure levels are higher than zero.”

The lights shut down, as Daelus slipped in a dreamless sleep. The distress beacon sent his signal for a long time, to stars that were deaf to it.

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“No, it’s not right!” Aelisia looked up to the sky on her balcony.

“Those falling stars are a bad omen milady, I’ll tell you that.” the old crone said. Her pessimism really got on Aelisia nerves sometimes but she was a caring and honest woman that says the things she sees as they are. Not like the rest of her maids, butlers or worst: suitors. All of them, a bunch of idiots or power-hungry nobles from other obscure kingdoms. But none of them have managed to complete her first test: beating her to a duel.

The Warriordom of Roviel was a proud fief that attracted every three years country folks from all the neighboring nations for the festival of the blade, where the new King or Queen was decided. All citizens of the Warriordom could participate to the tournament while royalty from friendly countries could send one of their children to either prove their valor or get the hand of the current leader. Unfortunately, a lot do not survive the intense physical and mental toll required to win the competition. Martial and magical duels, team combats, capture the flag and all sorts of strategic games on a three months long period ensured that only the perfect warrior was selected to earn the crown.

None in her time on the throne managed to even make a dent in her armor, never having lost a single festival for the last twelve years. She was a brilliant strategist and only lacked in magical abilities, a trait she earned from her lineage. Her queendom hasn’t been to war personally for 3 generations. She instead used some of the graduates from the military academy as mentors to other allied kingdoms, training either the lords or their conscripts.

It was a peaceful and quiet life. But that would change for good.

“They are just rocks, Dorais.” She looked back at her servant. “We’ve made the best blades out of the iron we found in them!” She ran across to her chamber, reaching for her sword on the wall.

“What are you thinking, Aelisia?”

“Help me put on my armor, we must get these before someone else does.”

“Lord, save me from this turbulent child.” She had gloomy eyes. “Atleast take your bodyguards with you.”

“Don’t worry, I haven’t been a child for 13 years. I got this.” She said cheerfully, with a wild and mischevious smile.

“Indeed, but you still act as one.”

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Pressure higher than zero. Reanimation protocol engaged. Estimated time until completion: 30 minutes. Ave Imperator.

Next part: https://redd.it/fm4buv