Chapter 57: Erebus — Perturabo, Smile… Brother-in-Law
Aboard the fleet, en route to Olympia.
For once, Perturabo was in an excellent mood.
Which, for the Lord of Iron, meant he was only mildly irritated instead of perpetually furious.
He stood near a stabilized Warp relay aperture, methodically casting data-slips into the immaterium.
Each one burned away in a brief flare of unreality.
Messages.
Fragments.
Seeds of thought.
Quotations from Kor Phaeron.
Sermons adapted from Lorgar Aurelian.
Observations from Magnus the Red.
Even Perturabo's own precise, cutting annotations.
Weapons—not of iron, but of ideology.
"As for Erebus…" Perturabo muttered.
He didn't bother writing anything.
There was no need.
That name already echoed through the Warp like a curse carried on a billion screaming souls.
Task complete, Perturabo turned to leave.
Rest awaited.
Then—
He slowed.
Through the archway of a grand mess hall, he saw something that instantly shattered his good mood.
Erebus.
Relaxed.
Smiling.
Speaking softly.
And seated across from him—
Calliphone.
His sister.
They were laughing.
Perturabo walked past.
Two steps.
Three.
Stopped.
Slowly—
He turned back.
His eyes darkened.
A cold, predatory intensity crept into his expression—something that would have fit easily among the Night Lords.
"Erebus."
Erebus turned immediately.
Of course he had already noticed.
But he didn't stand.
Didn't move.
Didn't even lose that faint, irritating smile.
"Ah," Erebus said pleasantly, "Lord Perturabo."
"Stay away from her."
No greeting.
No courtesy.
Just iron certainty.
Perturabo strode forward and sat down heavily across from him, eyes locked.
Calliphone sighed.
"Brother, must you—"
"Yes."
Immediate.
Flat.
Final.
Perturabo didn't even glance at her.
"You," he said to Erebus, "are not to involve yourself with my family."
Erebus raised an eyebrow slightly.
"I wasn't aware conversation constituted involvement."
"It does when it's you."
Calliphone leaned forward, smiling faintly.
"Perturabo, you're overreacting. Erebus is perfectly—"
"I am reacting appropriately," Perturabo cut in.
Then, quieter:
"I know what he is."
If only you did too.
But he didn't say it aloud.
"Relax," Erebus said calmly. "I have no intentions toward your sister."
Calliphone visibly relaxed.
Perturabo did not.
Instead, he narrowed his eyes further.
Then—
Changed tactics.
"…Can you drink?" Perturabo asked suddenly.
Erebus blinked once.
Then shook his head.
"No."
Perturabo leaned back.
"…Then that plan is useless."
"Perturabo!"
Calliphone glared at him.
"I am testing him," Perturabo said defensively.
"You are embarrassing yourself."
"I am protecting you."
Erebus watched the exchange with quiet amusement.
Perturabo leaned forward again, lowering his voice.
"You don't understand," he muttered. "Do you know what follows this man?"
"A reputation?" Erebus offered lightly.
"A curse," Perturabo corrected.
He paused.
Then, abruptly:
"Does your… faith… forbid marriage?"
Calliphone choked.
"Brother!"
Erebus tilted his head, intrigued.
"No. It does not."
A faint smile formed.
"Why do you ask?"
Perturabo gave a strained smile that looked more like a grimace.
"If you have someone in mind… I could arrange a formal union."
Silence.
Calliphone stared at him in disbelief.
Erebus studied him.
Then—
Something clicked.
"Oh," Erebus said softly.
Perturabo's expression stiffened.
And then—
Disaster struck.
For just a moment, Perturabo's mind betrayed him.
A vision—
Unbidden.
Unwanted.
A grand hall.
Golden.
Lit by towering braziers.
Calliphone in white ceremonial robes.
Standing beneath a statue of the Emperor.
And walking toward her—
Erebus.
Calm.
Composed.
Smiling.
He turned—
Looked directly at Perturabo—
And said:
"Brother-in-law."
Crack.
Reality snapped back.
The cup in Perturabo's hand shattered.
"I refuse!"
He shot to his feet.
"I absolutely refuse!"
Calliphone jumped.
Erebus blinked, momentarily surprised.
"You will not," Perturabo continued, pointing at Erebus, "ever—under any circumstances—cause me to call you that!"
Erebus slowly leaned back.
"…That was not my intention."
"I don't believe you."
Perturabo took a breath.
Then made a decision.
A terrible one.
"I challenge you."
Silence fell.
"To a duel," Perturabo said.
"The victor… will determine all matters."
Erebus sighed.
There it is.
"My brother," he said patiently, "you are a Primarch. I am not. This is hardly—"
"Then choose a champion."
A pause.
Erebus smiled.
"Very well."
Perturabo narrowed his eyes.
"Who?"
Erebus answered without hesitation:
"Lorgar Aurelian."
A beat.
"…Accepted."
Perturabo turned and strode away.
"I will prepare."
Calliphone groaned softly.
"I'm so sorry…"
Erebus waved it off.
"It's fine."
Then, after a pause:
"He cares about you."
Calliphone smiled faintly.
"…He always has."
Erebus nodded.
And for once—
He meant it.
Elsewhere aboard the ship
"So," said Lorgar, frowning, "let me understand this."
"You want me… to duel Perturabo."
"Yes," Erebus replied calmly.
"…Because he thinks you intend to court his sister?"
"…Yes."
Lorgar stared at him.
"…What did you do?"
"Nothing."
Lorgar did not believe him.
But he sighed.
"Very well. I will assist you."
Then his expression hardened slightly.
"I do, however, take issue with unnecessary interference in matters of personal choice."
Erebus said nothing.
"Tell me," Lorgar continued, "how decisive should this victory be?"
Erebus considered.
Then shrugged lightly.
"Enough to be convincing."
Lorgar nodded.
Understood.
He turned—
Cracking his neck slightly.
"If I am to face Perturabo…"
He smiled faintly.
"…then I will not hold back."
Magnus's chamber
Magnus listened.
Then nodded solemnly.
"For Erebus's… happiness."
He raised his hand.
Warp energy gathered.
Enhancements layered over Lorgar—
Psychic reinforcement.
Defensive wards.
Cognitive acceleration.
Subtle foresight.
"Give it everything," Magnus said.
Lorgar flexed his fingers.
Felt the power settle.
Then smiled.
"As you wish, brother."
And somewhere, deep within the Warp—
Fate stirred.
End of Chapter
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