The Iron Confrontation

Araphel stood perfectly still, head straight forward, staring at the Eternity Gate. He turned his head slightly as one of the Custodes next to him lowered his head and followed at the Custodes on the other side of Araphel. Araphel heard the sounds of armoured footsteps beneath him, and the two Custodes turned around. A rush of wind filled the corridor, as a boom rang out. Araphel closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

A roar, more akin to the howls of a wounded animal, sounded as gold flashed. The Custodes had their halberds raised as Araphel turned to face the arrival. He dreaded little due to his Primarch psychology, but this he would dread. The form of a golden beast came stalking down the corridor, flanked by golden Terminators. Araphel knew them all by sight, having served alongside most of them and being informed on the others. The figure at the head he knew all too well.

The Custodes held firm as the golden group marched forward and a near run, the lead figure forging on as his bodyguard strove to keep pace. The lead figure came within 10 paces of Araphel, and stopped suddenly, the fingers of his armour clenching and unclenching. A silence hung in the air, thick with tension as the lead figure swayed on the spot, his bodyguards keeping their weapons holstered and the Custodes holding their position. The crimson, glowing eyes of the lead figure bore into Araphel, his heavy breathing audible from where Araphel stood. Araphel inhaled and broke the silence.

“Theoderaf...”

Theoderaf roared, the sound amplified by the corridor into a deafening explosion. “Don’t you dare!” Theoderaf moved so fast even Araphel struggled to follow his movements, crossing the space between the two of them in a flash. The Custodes barely got their halberds crossed in front of Araphel before Theoderaf was there, axe in hand. Araphel remained still, keeping eye contact. Araphel could see what even his other brothers could not, the visible signs of tiredness that lined Theoderaf’s usually well-maintained face. His once pristinely short beard was uneven, hairs out of line and unshaven. The ten long years since the two had last seen each other had clearly worn on his brother.

“Don’t you dare.” Theoderaf snared.

“Brother…” Araphel continued, softly.

“Do not call me that! Rang was my brother! We all bled together, swore our oaths of brotherhood. You broke yours! You are not my brother.” Theoderaf growled through gritted teeth, gripping his axe so tightly Araphel thought it might break under the stress. “I’ll kill you for what you have done. You have betrayed the Emperor and the Imperium, and I shall enforce the Emperor’s justice on all traitors. There is no need for this *trial* that Alexandros has ordered.”

“Theoderaf, please step away from the prisoner.” One of the Custodes stated through their vox-grill. Theoderaf looked at both of them, and took a step back. Theoderaf’s breathing rocked his body, heavy and almost painful.

“I am sorry, brother.” Araphel continued.

Theoderaf looked at him for a long second, his eyes maintaining their blinding glow. “Why? Why did you do it?” Theoderaf whispered. The sudden change in his voice caught Araphel by surprise, and he could see past the glow of Theoderaf’s eyes to the pained expression on his face.

“I had no choice.” Araphel stated firmly. Behind him, the Eternity Gate opened and more Custodes marched into the corridor. The familiar footsteps behind him did not feel him with confidence. The shuffled footsteps of Malcador the Sigillite and the slow and deliberate footsteps of Alexandros Darshan VonSalim approached the two, and Theoderaf straightened, the snarl back on his face. The third set of footsteps were a surprise to Araphel, the reserved and heavy footsteps of Kadai Vilaccan, Captain-General of the Adeptus Custodes.

“Theoderaf, you were granted access to the Palace, please do not abuse our hospitality by brandishing weapons.” Malcador chided as he stood next to Araphel. Alexandros stood behind Araphel, clearly aware of the need to not further escalate the situation with his arrival. Kadai walked past all of them, and stood close to Theoderaf. He turned his back to Araphel, and Theoderaf reluctantly turned to speak with him. The two spoke in hushed tones, with Kadai placing his hand on Theoderaf’s armour and attempting to lead him away. The occasional raised voice of Theoderaf was audible.

*Brother… Traitor… the Emperor…*

Theoderaf’s bodyguard joined the Primarch and Custode, walking around so that the party now faced the opposite direction standing behind their father. Araphel turned his head to look at Alexandros, and Alexandros motioned for the Custodes to move. The two flanking Custodes turned back around and led Araphel through the Gate, Araphel following without need of coercion. Araphel could feel Theoderaf’s eyes boring into the back of his head, but he kept walking.