Date: 999 M41

  Location: Terra, Imperial Pace, Lion's Gate (under attack).

  Not even a couple of days, and the Archenemy attempts an assault on the Imperial Pace... The Custodian thought, as he dissected a Bloodletter. They have nothing to lose at all, huh...

  After the battle on Luna against the traitorous forces of the Thousand Sons and their demonic reinforcements, the Crusade was allowed a moment of respite while Roboute Guilliman and the leaders who led it were allowed to reach the Imperial Pace. The Custodian was among them.

  But instead of reaching the Sanctum Imperialis, he took leave and headed to the armouries below, where entire generations of craftsmen born of the Sacred Terra built ammunition, weapons and vexi, and kept the Machine Spirits of ancient armoured vehicles and weapons appeased and satisfied. The reason? His armour required complete maintenance, while its Machine Spirit required appropriate care and rest.

  True, on Macragge, he had entrusted his armour and weapon to Cawl, but the Archmagos simply appeased the Machine Spirits through Litany of Refreshment and Conciliation, as the auramite armours and weapons of the Adeptus Custodes are so unique and sacred that not even the Fabricator-General of Mars can dare perform maintenance on them. The task of maintaining the Adeptus Custodes' equipment in a consistently excellent state falls on entire generations of ancient Techno-cns native to Terra, as they are the only ones who know its creation and maintenance methods. In rare cases, the Custodian would stop in those ancient workshops to observe and learn maintenance techniques. It had never happened that a Custodian showed such interest, but no one dared to ask the reasons why he did so, also because the moments in which he remained to observe and practice were sporadic. Once, a brave enough craftsman had asked him.

  ?Anything can be useful when you don't know what might happen in the future.?

  Since then, his presence has always been more welcome, and no one has felt uncomfortable around him. But that moment of "peace" did not st long, because a Dark God who rejoices in the massacre sent his gallops to try to cut off the Emperor's head. 88 Khornite demon cohorts led by 8 Bloodthirsters. It was obvious that the Custodian would immediately equip himself to face the fools who were attempting the Emperor's life.

  And now, that same Custodian was standing over the corpse of one of the Bloodthirsters, his Paragon Spear pnted in the demon's heart, as bck blood flowed from the wound.

  Bloodletters pounced on his figure only to be intercepted by the bde of his spear or the disciplined fire of some of his fellow Custodians.

  ?Shield-Captain...? one of them spoke, his voice vocalised by the helmet ?The Archenemy's hordes are disorganised and more intent on killing than coordinating their assault.?

  ?Typical of the Blood Lord's offspring.? he stated with weary coldness ?Anything else?? he asked, turning towards his brother.

  ?Yes, some Oblivion Knights of the Anathema Psykana have just joined our fight.?

  ?The Anathema Psykana? I believed the sisterhood had been relegated to the role of jailer on the Bck Ships or carrying out missions in the shadows? he said, pleasantly surprised ?If they have been recalled to their former role and fight alongside us, they are welcome.?

  As if summoned by the discussion, a team of twenty women wearing power armour known as the Vratine Armour appeared from the shadows of the rubble. One of them approached. Like her other sisters, her mouth was covered by a visor, while her head was bald, except for a tuft of long, auburn hair. On her forehead, the imperial eagle had been tattooed in red ink, and her eyes were a deep green that gave the impression of being empty... soulless.

  ?I am Sophea Ulmacu, Knight-Centura of the sisterhood? the newcomer stated using sign nguage.

  The Sisters of Silence, as they are commonly called, cannot speak once they have taken the Vow of Tranquillity, and outside of battle, they communicate primarily through sign nguage, called Thoughtmark, which no one outside the sisterhood and the Adeptus Custodes knows.

  ?Knight-Centura, it will be a pleasure to fight alongside you.?

  ?The Talons of the Emperor will be unleashed again, Shield-Captain.? the Sister of Silence proudly signed

  ?Well said. Let us ensure that the Neverborn do not forget what it means to attract the Emperor's wrath.?

  At the Custodian's affirmation, all present took up arms, ready to csh with the next screaming mass of demons and ensure that the misfortune of ten millennia before is not repeated.

  ?Shield-Captain.? Sophea signed. ?You didn't say your name.?

  ?Ah, you're right. I'm so used to being called by my rank now that I forgot to introduce myself.?

  After a puff of depressurisation, the Custodian's elongated helmet was removed, revealing his face. Even though he's practically 2500 years old, the Custodian still possesses the features of a young man aged 16-18 at most; his hair is a green bush shaved on the right side, as are his eyes, sharp and deep, but incredibly expressive for a Custodian. His face is marked with deep scars, and faint freckles can still be seen.

  ?Izuku Midoriya Valorian, Prefect Shield-Captain, Aquilian Shield.?

  *****

  Date: 999 M41

  Location: Terra, Imperial Pace, Izuku Midoriya Valorian's Private Rooms.

  ?Fuh. And with that, the retionship ended.? Izuku said, massaging his shoulders

  2543 years old, huh? It still sounds strange to me to believe that, despite my appearance, I've become a geezer.

  Perhaps not perfectly, but he still remembers well how the then Captain-General Aesoth Koumadra asked him to think about the possibility of becoming a Custodain and, thinking about it, he hadn't many choices. A 6-year-old boy, found at the foot of the Golden Throne, was reportedly killed at the same time they noticed him. Yet, it was only by order and piety of the Emperor of Mankind that he is still alive today.

  Well, I've risked my life a few times, but... details. He thought, scratching his cheek.

  Many of his brothers and sisters were and still are surprised at how he managed to maintain his identity before the genetic manipution processes necessary for his ascension. One of their suppositions is that, having come from another universe, there is most likely a genome that enabled him to resist complete psychological and memory transformation. Others believe that his soul, as some believe the ascension process also affects the candidate's soul, was so pure and tempered that it refused to forget who he originally was.

  In my opinion, it's pure stubbornness and homesickness. He thought, looking at the ceiling.

  2543 years old and still homesick. He still wants to see his mother again, hug her again and eat her dishes again. But above all, to make her see how, in another universe where war and darkness are daily facts, her son has become one of the greatest heroes of mankind.

  A host of heroes, huh?

  ?Come in.? he spoke without anyone actually knocking.

  The door of his room opened, and one of his brothers, another Custodian, entered in golden armour, much more ornate than his own, with a heraldic shield depicting an eagle with its cws unleashed and, attached to it, eagle feathers. A heavy red cloak fell from both shoulders, and his helmetless face showed a young man with dark grey hair and beard, sharp, alert eyes. His weapon is the Watcher's Axe.

  ?Captain-General.? he greeted, standing up ?I'm honoured to have you as a guest.?

  Without saying anything, the Captain-General passed the doors, closing them behind him. The atmosphere seemed tense to an inexperienced eye, but in reality, it was not.

  ?That title should have belonged to you many centuries ago, venerable Izuku Midoriya.?

  ?Really?? Izuku asked, amusedly as he stood in front of the heavy wooden table. ?I don't remember receiving such news, Trajan Valoris.?

  ?That's because you turned down the Captain-General role three times.? he began in a tired but respectful tone ?And not just that, but you've always turned down every promotion offered for centuries. Aqui Commander, Supreme Casteln, Captain-Commander, Tribune.?

  ?You know very well why I didn't go beyond the role of Prefect Shield-Captain Valoris.? he stated, massaging his forehead as if to fend off a migraine. ?In fact, if it weren't for identifying my veteran status among the Ten-Thousand, I wouldn't have accepted even the honorary title of Prefect.?

  ?But is it really worth it? Still clinging to such faint hope?? asked Valoris in a bored tone ?With the exception of the brothers and sisters who are members of the 'Eyes,' you are one of the most venerable Custodians still active. Other brothers and sisters would find this stop in your hierarchy-?

  ?Be careful of your next words, Valoris.? Izuku interrupted coldly. ?The secret about my origin is known only to the Captain-General and the Emperor himself for a specific reason. A motivation that drives me every day to move forward in this dark universe.?

  Izuku's posture had changed slightly, and his eyes, until a moment ago disinterested and pyful, had undergone a sudden and sharp change. Izuku was clearly unarmed and posed no threat to Trajan Valoris, but the tter, despite having no reason to do so, still felt his instinct warn him not to let his guard down.