Chapter 3: The Coming of the Storm

"See them for what they are my apprentice, foul creatures of the Prime Evils, weak and pathetic in the making," Dreamweaver hissed sibilantly.

Varus grunted in affirmation to the Tzeentch daemon's words. The Chaos Warrior watched indifferently as the seething horde of red colored imps flung themselves at the hastily erected fort that was the Rogue Encampment. Successive barrages of arrows flew thick and fast into the demon ranks, felling scores of the diminutive beasts. However, these were arrows wasted. Fallen Shamans gibbered in their incoherent language, gesturing with gnarled staves at the corpses of their freshly slain brethren. The results were instant. The Fallen crawled back up, wooden shafts still embedded in their bodies. With screeching cries, these resurrected demons surged forward to continue their assault on the wooden walls.

"Abhorrents to Father Nurgle! One does not simply stave off the magnificence that is death by some pitiful magics," the pus filled voice of the Great Unclean One spat.

"Easy Bokukaz, we wouldn't want your fat bulk to explode with rage," a feminine whisper admonished.

"I did not believe you would care about me, Saenesttra."

"I don't. I just don't want your putrid pieces of flesh splattering on the inside of this sword, especially in my portion."

"Why you---"

"WHY ARE WE STILL TALKING WHEN WE CAN BE IN THE THICK OF GLORIOUS SLAUGHTER?!? COME MIGHTY CHAMPION OF KHORNE! LET THE JOY OF BATTLE SING IN YOUR VEINS! BUTCHER THEM ALL AND PILE A THRONE OF SKULLS TO HONOR THE BLOOD GOD!!!" Gargorath interrupted, the daemon sword shuddering with vibration from its bellows.

"I see your stupidity has not dulled with the passing of ages, Bloodthirster. For your information, it is wiser to observe the foe before engaging in combat," the Changer of Ways snapped irritably.

"KHORNE DOES NOT CARE FOR YOUR COWARDLY SPYING, SPAWN OF TZEENTCH! THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO WAGE WAR! AND THAT IS THROUGH FULL FRONTAL ONSLAUGHT!!!"

"Ughhh… This is the reason why I don't date Khornites," the Keeper of Secrets sighed, "No foreplay at all, always straight to the sex."

"Silence! All of you! We have a situation on our hands. Those demons are close to overwhelming the rogues," Varus growled.

"And?" three voices asked simultaneously. Only Dreamweaver kept silent.

"And we need to assist the rogues in their endeavors," the Chaos Warrior replied, eyes rolling in their sockets with exasperation.

"Now, now, my child, what have we taught you about compassion?" Bokukaz sniffed.

"That it is the gravest sin of followers of Chaos to commit, for to allow compassion in one's heart is to allow weakness in the body," droned Varus.

"Exactly, my beautiful lord. We must not allow such fickle emotions to interfere with our plans. Let these pitiful followers of the Prime Evils have their fun. We need to move on."

"WHAT!?! AND IGNORE THE BOUNTIFUL HARVEST OF BLOOD BEFORE US!?! NEVER!!! DISREGARD THESE FOOLS MIGHTY CHAMPION!!! LIFT YOUR AXE ARM HIGH AND REAP DESTRUCTION AMONGST THEIR RANKS!!!"

"You call us fools, but you ignore the fact that there are no greater idiots than the followers of the Blood God," Saenesttra hissed.

"BY THE UNHOLY NOSE HAIRS OF KHORNE'S LEFT NOSTRIL!!! I WILL HAVE YOUR HEAD FOR THIS WENCH!!!"

"Oh my, I am so utterly and terribly afraid… Look at me, all fearful and trembling at the mere mention of Khorne's nose hairs! What's next? The blasphemous ear wax of the Blood God that instills terror wherever it drips?"

"Perhaps the beastly and horrifying butt hair of Khorne's right ass cheek?" added the Plagued One.

"Mayhaps the unclipped and scandalous toenails of Khorne's left foot?" suggested the Changer of Ways.

"HOW DARE YOU!!! I---"

"You will do nothing Gargorath. I intend to aid these rogues, and your rantings are preventing me from doing so."

"You intend to help these… scum? Have you lost your mind boy?" Bokukaz snarled disbelievingly.

"No. I have not. In fact, my mind is very much sane, compared to the four of you," the Champion replied dryly.

"Watch your words child, you have not grown independent yet."

"This I know. But, have you never considered what will happen once we do defeat the Prime Evils? Chaos thrives through emotion. Human emotion. Passion, hate, greed, despair, and more. These are the tenets through which the ruinous powers can exist. If we allow the demons here to kill these rogues, the tumult of emotion that resides within those wooden walls will be lost to us forever! If we continue to ignore the helpless, there will be no others alive on this world when we cast the Three down. What is the point of a victory then? Better to save them and any others we find on our journey. That way, when the war is over, we will have an ample population to corrupt."

A moment of silence reigned. It was broken by Dreamweaver's mad cackling.

"See! See how he plans! See how he schemes! See how the fates are open to him! See how he manipulates the future to his liking! Oh my apprentice, you are indeed worthy of Tzeentch himself!"

"I am undeserving of such praise, however, if my actions have pleased the Lord of Change, may he grant me his benevolence in this upcoming battle," replied Varus, humbly.

"Of course, apprentice. He is very pleased indeed…"

The daemon sword writhed with unstable energies, the blade glowing with a blackish hue. The Chaos Champion pointed it towards the mass of Fallen with a grim smile on his lips.