I glared at the landscape in front of me, its twisted form only making the headache in my mind worsen. I had to do something, medicine didn't help, only when I had been in battle... Slaying our enemies in the name of our Glorious Empress Luna had I been rid of the incessant mind-pain.

I gave the world one last sneer beneath my helm before I turned to speak with my Battle-Brothers.

“Alhardir... Would you like to give a speech before we set off into battle?” I ask somewhat quietly as the Reclusiarch seems to materialize by my side.

He gives a nod, “It would be best to give the soldiers the best words they could hear before many of them fall to the advancing enemy.” He places a hand on my shoulder, stopping us. “Part of me wishes that all it took was a speech to bring fathers and mothers back to their families after the war... while the rest of me knows that this battle will only bring about as many deaths on our side as the enemy will have.”

I let out a small sigh. “I know Reclusiarch... I know...”

Within minutes we stood on a stage in front of most of the assembled military force, made up of the remnants of the great kingdoms... In the last bastion of defense we could muster.

...The City of Canterlot...

We had lost all of our ground, most of the marines were busy defending the monastery at all times of the day and this was to be our final stand. The Empresses had found some sort of cryptic research into a force that could possibly undo the chaos that has imprisoned the land and we were going to be the distraction they needed to be able to bring their world back to some sense of normalcy.

My thoughts were interrupted as the Reclusiarch began his speech.

“On this day, our united kingdoms and nations fight against a powerful enemy, one that has sworn never to stop until we are all crushed underfoot.”

“But so long as we draw breath we will not let this city fall!” His shout gets a few cheers from most of the crowd. “Let this day be the day that will go down in history, not as the day the world lost to chaos, but as the day the nations of the world united to defend their very way of life! Let the future generations know that we did not whimper and give in to a powerful enemy! Let them know that the bravest of the brave and the strongest of the strong fought alongside their kin and allies to defend Canterlot to the very last life! Stand proud! As long as you draw breath you have the strength to fend off the enemy, prove that to them, make them regret ever fighting against our might!” The crowd cheered again, this time gaining more support.

“When the future looks back upon this day, let it be known as the day ALL of us became heroes! Whether you become a martyr for the cause, or slay many in the name of the Empresses, We will fight to the end! The world will hear our voice! And the chaos shall feel the strength in our arms! We will not go quietly! We will make them work for every inch of ground they will have to fight us through!”

The crowd let out a resounding cheer, letting me know that the Reclusiarch had managed to secure us against the fear that chaos would try to instill.

...But this blasted headache was definitely beginning to get on my nerves.

The walls of the city were built to be the best defensive barricades ever, each one rising above the nearest buildings so that no one could leap up and over. Only a few choke points, and plenty of places to put the few marines that I did have in service. I could only hope that the empresses returned soon, because if they did not, there would likely be nothing for them to return to.

As soon as I saw the advancing army I drew my blade, as the harpies began to close in my bolt pistol took aim, and when I could see them sharply from the barrel of my gun... I let loose the first volley of holy roars that would soon be followed by the praises of my brethren and their boltgun roars as the bolts would scream through the air to tear the harpies to pieces.

Within minutes my pistol was empty, forcing me to holster it as I waited for the force that would advance to the front gate, there, I would finally be able to purge myself of this headache. They were not too far off, and the boltguns were making quick work of the harpies, their holy roars were the most beautiful sound I could ever ask for.

My gaze snapped to the changelings and ogres making their way to the gate, I had my sword ready as I placed a foot on the crenelation.

I leapt from the wall... And into the horde.

It felt so... Right... As blood splashed onto my armor and visor, each slash bringing down a new enemy, forcing others to cower in fear at my might. The noise of the battle sounded far away as I simply focused on cutting down the enemy.

A changeling, beheaded to spray their viscous green blood everywhere...

An ogre, cleaved in two from brain to groin, left to flop to each side and spray blood onto others nearby.

At one point a few of my brothers had joined me, but I no longer cared, I was back in the heat of battle, my throat raw as I screamed my praises to Empress Luna while I sacrificed more and more in her name so that she may watch over me and take joy knowing that I protect the land for her.

Empress Luna... Please... Hear my prayer...

…

…

Let the enemy wash in the blood of their fallen, make them fear my gaze upon them, make them cower in fright at my presence... Let me claim their skulls to make you a throne to pay for their heresy, let me claim their blood in your name so that they may fear your champion to their core. They shall be my trophies, each... and every one of them...

My visor had gone from green to red as I continued to cut down the enemy, single-handedly defending the main gate with only my sword. My brothers had left after only a few minutes when the vox had let them know of a diamond dog attack from the mines.

But I had still yet to let an enemy pass, The narrow stone bridge that led to the gate was only wide enough for me, and no matter how hard they tried to swarm, their strength was nothing next to mine.

With one wide slice a spray of green blood painted my armor as five changelings fell victim to my blade... Huh... I should name it the life-drinker... Yes, They each fell, cut like a hot knife through butter as life-drinker greedily claimed their lives, I was more than happy to oblige.

Any harpies were shot down by crossbows, bows and any other projectile that our soldiers could find. The snarl on my face could nearly be called feral as enemy soldiers met their fate at the edge of my blade, not one of them had the strength to fight me.

Then I felt it again...

...That damned headache!

It simply refused to leave, heating up my burning righteous fury to an inferno of rage as I felt the world begin to slip away. My body moved faster, I reacted quicker than I thought, I finally began to let my instincts take hold and everything began to blur as I could only keep my mind on the damn headache!

I had heard someone... something over the vox... A voice that sounded familiar... But I could not place it as my hatred and fury grew.

I heard the roar of a boltgun... And then it felt like I was falling...

Author's Notes:

And now, I must increase my search for someone who can handle a psyker, because if they can do that, they can handle a marine that's in a bloodlust... hopefully...