Caelus 'Kal' Iranius

Armorial of the Astral Carbines Chapter.

**Caelus Iranius**, known by his battle-brothers as 'Kal', is a phobos librarian born on Casimus, and was the first Astartes from the Astral Carbines Space Marine Chapter to take the Long Vigil with Deathwatch, the specialist xenos-hunting Chamber Militant of the Inquisition. Although unconventional in many ways, both in his path as an Astartes and his own personality, Kal holds strong against the tide of Chaos.

## History

### Youth:

Caelus 'Kal' Iranius, known as 'The Vanguard Maverick', was the first Astral Carbines Astartes to join the Deathwatch, though the conditions weren't ideal. Kal was born on Casimus, a psyker, to Rethon, a former ganger who became an attendant of the noble Diven family of Casimus after the civil war, and Anna Iranius, a PDF officer part of the Diven family's security detail, and lived with his younger sister, Lillia, who also shared innate psykic ability. His father feared that his two children could be dangerous, so their psykic ability was muffled through dubiously-sourced injections, though they still had a subtle connection, both in uncanny reflexes, which saved them numerous times. Kal was a timid youth, and although his home-life was decent, compared to many lives in the Imperium, he faced bullying at school, unresolved by the strict staff, who did not appreciate Kal's harmless pranks. Kal's nickname was 'Black Bottom' from how many beatings he took. He did have a few friends, one being Arius Diven, whose noble house Kal's parents worked for. However, as Kal grew older, he heard more and more about the horrors which pervaded through the Imperium, and he became anxious about his safety.

At the age of 14, Kal's parents were called onto active service as part of the tithe, and so Lillia was taken to the Schola Progenia, and Kal, alongside his friends Arius Diven and Tibon Trachen, became aspirants for the Astral Carbines, who had only recently arrived to replenish their numbers. During the blood trials, which would have the aspirants spar against each other, and whoever got first blood would win, Arius and Kal faced against each other. Arius won, but he pleaded to Darian Skyborne, the Chapter Master, to allow Kal into the Astral Carbines as well, to which Darian assented.

### Phobos:

Kal was bold in his early years, to say the least. Out of many of the aspirants of his wave, he was one of the notably rowdy of them. He got in trouble numerous occasions with his sergeant when he was a neophyte, either for diverging from a tactic or plan, or pranks. He also back-talked and diverged from the orders of his sergeant. He's the 'silly theatrics' which Menelaus disdains. He fitted more with being a Vanguard Space Marine and never left the 10th Company, despite his friend Arius moving onto more prestigious companies.

He was involved numerous times in different notable campaigns. He aided 10th Company on Telari VI, and defeated the Sslyth bodyguard of the Poisonous Fang's Archon. During Pyrathas, he mounted the gunner seat of an Invader ATV to distract the Helldrake. During the Sandrath in M42.056, he was given the specialist role of Eliminator, due to his precision with a rifle. And in the Elnas campaign, grabbed the heretical tome, causing the beast to chase him.

His psyker nature was revealed during the Catracor Incident. He was assigned as an acting Vanguard sergeant to cover up the losses of the Astral Carbines. However, despite being ordered to pull back, he aided Karstian banish the corrupted Librarians, bolstering Karstian with his own psykic power. In light of the reveal of his previously hidden psykic nature, he was admitted into the Librarius to train under Karstian, although he also worked alongside his strike force members. Kal's training was rushed, meaning Kal did not have the same psykic defence he should've had.

He was involved in the Drakos campaign, and he, Vipus Octavio and the 10th company strike force, were critical in operations against the different threats. He had made a friend with Sarphus Hecton, from the Golden Panthers. However, when the Marines Malevolent shelled occupied areas where the Astral Carbines and Golden Panthers were extracting civilians, Kal lashed out and almost slashed a Marines Malevolent captain. Due to this impulsiveness, Kal was stripped of his power sword gifted to him by Karstian, and was assigned to the Deathwatch to learn temperance and as a form of punishment.

### Deathwatch- Canon:

Kal was inducted into Kill-team Thanatos alongside Sarphus Hecton, who was also assigned on the Long Vigil after refusing to follow orders. The other four members of the Kill-team were Arfang, a rowdy Wolfspear whom Kal developed a deep brotherhood with, Wyvan, a chivalrous Soaring Gryphon, Struxas, a Scorching Steel Plasma Specialist who tended to be at odds with Kal, Struxas being much more stern and ruthless than him. All five formed a valuable team. Sarphus and Kal formed the brains of the Kill-team, and Kal's psykic prowess was essential in some missions. Kal had mentorship from and a strong kinship with Erydor Cyban, a Raven Guard Librarian who was serving his Long Vigil. Erydor taught Kal the techniques of the Obscurus Discipline, and how Kal can control and unleash his power. Kal, at first, felt out of place within the Deathwatch, and his relationship with Erydor was strained when Kal recklessly tried to intervene in a matter that was not his own, but Erydor forgave Kal when Kal was most vulnerable.

### Daemon Box:

The Daemon Box campaign was the race the gain access to the Daemon Box, which Kal and Kill-team Banshee had major involvement within. It was the first time Kal had met his sister, Donna Iranius, since they split up as youths, although neither knew whom the other was until much later. Kal, Sarphus, Arfang and Struxas sought to prevent the Daemon Box from falling into the hands of Vathin Marek, a Renegade Thousand Son who had aligned himself with Slaanesh. His protege, Rysh Mahatek, became an unlikely and controversial ally to the Kill-team. The Elnasiil Craftworld also assisted with the Kill-team, foreseeing the destruction the Arxath could bring.

Kal encountered numerous threats during the Daemon Box campaign, fighting against the forces of Chaos, Ork Warbands, Eldar, Tau and Rakurians. However, when Kal first fought against Ryk'tha'goran, a Daemon Prince and the Rakurian King, he was afflicted by a 'gift', though really it was a curse. Whenever Kal slept and Ryk'tha'goran was available, Kal would have his dreams manipulated by him to seduce him to joining Slaanesh. Kal was resilient against Ryk'tha'goran, but, due to his suboptimal Catalepsan Node, visitations were more common than he had wished. Kal would rarely sleep, lest Ryk'tha'goran would try seduce him. When Kal finally fell asleep, he was met with numerous scenes and scenarios, whether it be Kal being a guest among a fancy feast, a bride in a wedding to Ryk'tha'goran, or being worshipped as a god. Kal refused to give Ryk'tha'goran an inch, but the pressure was undeniable.

However, eventually, Kal managed to break the psychic link, and he and Donna managed to banish Ryk'tha'goran from the material world, destroying his body.

### Return to the Astral Carbines:

Kal returned to aid the Astral Carbines during the Niktari Campaign, alongside his Kill-team, in which Kal took up a sort of temporary leadership over 10th company when his former mentor, Vipus Octavio, was fatally injured and interred in a Dreadnought. Kal's psykic powers were not as effective against Necrons, due to him relying on manipulating emotions, which the Necrons could easily bypass. Moreover, he encountered and was debilitated by the Pariah which the Necrons had in their arsenal. During this time, he did come to understand Struxas, and their tension soothed. Kal managed to survive, but Darian Skyborne, his chapter master, didn't, and the leadership of the Astral Carbines was given to his friend, Arius Diven. Kal stayed on for the Astral Carbines, becoming a chief advisor for Arius.

However, Kal was brought back into the Deathwatch, leaving the Astral Carbines in the capable hands of Striker, who was promoted to become 10th Company Captain.

### Deathwatch- Commorragh:

Not long after Kal returned to the Deathwatch to aid against the rising raids made by the Drukhari in the Hellion system, he was captured, enslaved and brought to Commorragh. The Chained Skulls, a Kabal prominent in slavery, decided that Kal would be forced to fight in the arena. Kal was pitted against numerous enemies, from horrifying grotesque to fellow enslaved humans, whom Kal had to murder, lest he be killed as well. However, he found a rival and ally in Kylith Meridax, a Drukhari wych who left her cult to join a Kabal, which was then destroyed and enslaved by the Chained Skulls. The two would become something of a star act, as both tried to outplay and counter each other in increasing intricate ways, leaving a suspense in the audience which may not have fully slaked their need to witness pain and gore, but was intriguing nonetheless.

However, both still desired their freedom, so the two made a pact to aid each other escape. The two, alongside the help of Kelien Ryssak, one of Kylith's old friends from the Stinging Claws, planned to break out of their cells while the Chained Skulls Archon was hosting a triumph in his own honour after a successful raid. They then stormed the Archon's manor, slaying all the drukhari who stood in their way, taking whatever weapons they needed, with Kal revealing his psykic potential. Eventually, they reached the Archon, who was then beheaded by Kylith and thrown off his balcony, marking an end to his reign over his Kabal, and freeing both Kylith and Kal, with Kylith free to establish her own Wych cult. With Kylith delivering on her word, Kal was transported back to Realspace and delivered back into Imperial territory, reuniting with the Deathwatch after five years of slavery.

### Wavering Spirit:

Kal returned to the Deathwatch and his Kill-team, his faith shook by his five years on Commorragh. However, during this time, the Astral Carbines had become lost in the Immaterium, and were fighting tooth-and-nail to survive, and were considered Missing In Action in official records. Kal, despite his mental strain, spent hours outside his missions trying to scry for the location of the Astral Carbines, using whatever means he had available to find them amidst the vast Sea of Souls. However, this only wore on his soul, and more and more he let his mental shielding down in a desperate bid to find his brothers. After an incessant year, his mind eventually snapped, and he was left catatonic. He was put under intense therapy, with spiritual healing and psykic limitation being used to keep Kal intact.

When Kal returned to his former self, after months of intense care, he became more reclusive and depressed, withdrawing to his room after missions and only coming out to drink, eat, and train. Even his drinking sessions with Arfang disappeared. He did accompany his Kill-team and Donna on missions, but he only communicated what he had to. He did joke, but his humour became much more grim. Over a year of this eventually led to Sarphus dragging Kal to the Chapel to console his faith and devotion to the Imperium with aid from the Golden Panthers Chaplain Parion Thesile, who had joined the Deathwatch on temporary assignment. Parion Thesile accompanied the Kill-team on missions, and spent hours with Kal trying to aid his spiritual recovery. Overtime, Kal's spirit was uplifted as he explained everything that had happened to him, the anxiety he feels for his chapter and his questioning of his faith in the Imperium.

During a mission against an 'Acky 'Ands raider warband besieging a mining world, the Kill-team were assigned to assassinate their leader and bring their forces into disarray. Kal formulated a plan to have Arfang challenge the presiding warboss, Ruezug, to an arena battle. Meanwhile, he and Sarphus coated themselves in green paint and took their seats at the arena. Arfang was overwhelmed initially by Ruezug, but Kal convinced the arena that Arfang should be rooted for instead of Ruezug, since Arfang is the Underdog. Ruezug, who had been powered by the confidence of his boyz feeding him strength in the Waagh, eventually faltered, allowing Arfang to lay the final blow. The warband eventually erupted into infighting as the four slunk away. After this, the Kal his Kill-team knew returned, and Parion returned to the Golden Panthers to become the Reclusiarch of his chapter.

### Fall of the Astral Carbines:

Kal Iranius was one of the Astral Carbines who did not fall to Chaos after the Months of the Warp, and therefore did not understand the gravity of the horrors faced by his brethren, nor had any sense of the corruption which had started to take root. He returned to the chapter to cover up for the losses for the sake of his battle brother Arius, whom he had not seen in quite some time. Arius, now a pawn in Tzeentch's game, tried to uphold the same jovial and brotherly person with Kal, but the demands of Tzeentch strained Kal and Arius. The longer Tzeentch's corruption lingered, Kal would argue more with Arius than advise, frustrated at Arius' seeming neglect of what the Astral Carbines are, while Arius would treat Kal less like a friend. The abandonment of Menelaus, the demotion of Karstian and the forced stasis of Octavio further embittered Kal, with the latter leading to Kal striking Arius in the face with his fist, leading to a brawl which injured both battle brothers.

On Helvight, Kal was among the Astral Carbines who were left to die to their heretical brothers, betrayed by his once dear battle brother. However, Kal had managed to survive with a small force intact through his skills in combat and his considerable psykic prowess.

### The Aftermath:

After the victory over the Arcane Reavers, the Astral Carbines were honoured for their service, but it was not to be for long. Julo Neronius saw the Astral Carbines as a failure, the reason why high ideals to not work to sustain the Imperium, so he requested to the High Lords of Terra that the Astral Carbines be disbanded. When Kal found out, he petitioned to High Lords to veto Julo's request. They were both brought to Terra to argue their cases for or against the revival of the Astral Carbines. Julo argued that the Astral Carbines had allowed themselves to fall to Chaos, that their identity was based off of ideals which led them to be corrupted in the first place, and even targeted Kal for his record of disobedience and leniency. Kal, on the other hand, tried to convince them of the Astral Carbines' worth, that they had only failed because of the intervention of the Chaos gods, and that Arius Diven's sacrifice for the Imperium, despite falling so low, was testament to the Astral Carbines' tenacity and morality. It was the ruling of Roboute Guilliman himself that the Astral Carbines would be revived. However, they would have to partake in a 25 year Penitent Crusade to prove their mettle and loyalty to the Imperium, alongside the Golden Panthers. Both parties left not wholly satisfied, but neither wished to argue with the Regent. Kal also asked for an autograph, but was denied.

### New Skies:

Kal joined the Penitent Crusade to redeem the Astral Carbines, and was quickly put to work as acting head librarian, even with the lack of librarians, and teaching infiltrator tactics. The acting chapter master at the time was Sylus Pontus, known for his astuteness and devotion. Kal cooperated as much as he can, and used his knowledge from the Deathwatch to refresh his chapter on how to fight Orks, and his psykic powers became important in many operations. However, Sylus, despite his tempered nature, did not utilize Kal to the greatest extent, preferring frontline tactics, something Kal saw as foolish. Regardless, he complied, not wanting to tear the chapter apart. Among the Astral Carbines, the newer members saw him as a legendary figure, something Kal appreciated, even if he would act aloof to it. The Golden Panthers had been conjoined with the Astral Carbines, and Kal would sometimes come to Sarphus to discuss matters, especially personal ones about anxieties and fears. Kal would also bring some measure of jovial, or rather juvenile, entertainment to Sarphus, who was extremely bogged down by his duties.

## Personality

Kal possesses a strong sense of independence, and is generally more colloquial than his battle-brothers. Though Kal doesn't hold to a strict code of honour, Kal is not without empathy, and can act with compassion to those his protects. Kal is a trickster, and likes to prank and tease his friends lightly, something he developed during his time on Casimius. He forms close bonds with those he befriends, both in the Deathwatch and in the Astral Carbines. Kal also enjoys intensely strong alcohols, like Mjod or Egyan wine. Kal's unorthodox ideas allows him to think flexibly, either to exploit an enemy's weakness, or to buy him time in a dire situation. He's not one to command legions, but he works well within smaller groups. He even sometimes studies the doctrines of other chapters to see what he can improve upon. However, despite his strategic side, he can be impulsive and emotional, especially in his younger years- whether it be with his mouth or in the battle-field. Although vestiges of his rash behaviour still exist in his more mature years, his training, duties and experience has made him a more astute and intelligent Astartes. Although he once tried anything to shirk his responsibilities as a librarian, he does hold to a few scholarly pursuits, studying the immaterium and xenos, although he certainly does make time for his comrades.

Quite peculiarly, Kal does not hold a blind hatred to all xenos. In his youth, he certainly saw all xenos as threats to the Imperium. However, his many temporary pacts with them, notably with the Drukhari Wych Kylith to escape Commorragh, complicated his views on xenos, with his duty as an Astartes, especially within the Deathwatch, being to exterminate xenos, yet sharing comradery with those he should normally revile. As he became older, he still thinks humanity as above xenos, but thinks xenos should be allowed to live if they do not threaten the Imperium, though he acknowledges such xenos are extremely rare. He is not unwilling to work with some xenos for a mutual goal. However, he is not at all reverent towards any xenos, and will mock them. Kal's faith in the Imperium is equally complicated. To him, the Imperium is far from what it ought to be, and struggles with trying to consolidate his conscience with the worst of what is sanctioned by the Imperium. However, both his compassion towards fellow humans and his strong bonds of comradery keep him pushing forth and fighting for the Imperium.

## Wargear & Equipment

* **MK-10 Phobos Power Armour**
* **Power Falchion** - Kal's Power Sword was given to him by Karstian when he became a Librarian. Kal did was uncomfortable with the weight at first, but trained with Karstian and later developed his own fighting style overtime. When Kal later received his Force Falchion, he still used the Power Falchion when duelling.
* **Force Falchion** - Kal's Force Sword was given to him by Kylith Meridax after the two freed themselves from the Chained Skull Kabal. Each strike Kal gives with his Force Falchion leaves a trail of black smoke in its wake, and each strike can heighten the fear within the enemy, giving Kal a greater chance to exploit their moves.
* **Karstian's Power Sword** - During the Vindication Campaign, Kal took up possession of Karstian's power sword when Karstian was weakened by his use as a Gellar Field battery, dual-wielding it against Zale Verrak.
* **Mk.III Shrike Pattern Bolt Sniper Rifle** - Kal's favoured weapon before he became a Libarian. Kal does find target practice therapeutic, and even though he does not make much use of a Sniper Rifle, he still tends to visit a firing range and shoot volleys.
* **Heavy Bolter Pistol** - Kal's favoured sidearm, both before and after he became a Librarian. During his time in the Deathwatch, he named it Arfang, after his compatriot Arfang.
* **Cards** - Kal has a set of cards he typically plays with during his downtime with his friends. He promises he doesn't cheat, but it's hard to know from a librarian such as him.
* **Psykic Dampener** - The psykic dampener was a cybernetic attachment to Kal's skull which limited his ability as a psyker to keep him sane.
* **Wraithbone Ward** - The Wraithbone Ward is wraithbone-infused necklace which Kal has attuned to. It enacts a similar role as the psykic dampener, to prevent Kal's sanity from breaking after he scryed into the Warp, but it does not limit Kal's psykic power.
* **Banshee Helmet** - Kal has a helmet which has a modified vox and speaker installed into it to enhance his Psykic Scream, the drawback being that he cannot communicate to his team via vox.
* **Invader ATV** - Kal is able to drive Invader ATVs, and typically likes to take them on joyrides. For some reason, Kal has a giddy excitement when he sees one, and even more so when he drives one. His driving, however, is akin to a madman.

## Fighting Style

Kal's fighting style is something he has developed overtime. Kal's first fighting style came from use of his knife when he was an Infiltrator and Eliminator, focusing on reverse grip slashing, and if possible, using his knife and bolt pistol in tandem. This habit continued, even when he became a Librarian, hence Karstian had a falchion forged for Kal to acclimate him. However, during Kal's long vigil, especially due to his interaction with his battle brother, his fighting style moved away from knives. His fighting style relies on rapid strikes and flourishing, trying to strike from any angle he can. When in combination with his psykic power, he is able to charge at an enemy, cast an umbral spell, and appear right behind them. His reflexes and manipulation makes him a nightmare to hit, and he is quick to exploit weaknesses. Kal can also use underhanded unarmed strikes against enemies.

## Psykic Abilities

Kal's preferred disciplines centre around telepathy, illusion and obscuration, able to deceive, interrogate and manipulate his enemies around him, which allows him and his allies a tactical advantage in battle.

Even when his psykic connection to the Immaterium was suppressed, he had uncanny reflexes compared to some of his brethren, reasoned to be connected to his latent power. This reflex evolved as Kal's psykic potential grew, allowing Kal to sense and know what would could kill him just before it strikes him, although how to respond would be a different case altogether. However, during the Astral Carbines' months in the warp, being years for Kal, Kal's anxiety for his chapter and battle-brothers started to afflict this reflex. In the middle of battle, Kal's extraordinary sense would instead manifest as a flash of Kal dying, and against especially brutal foes with gruesome ways to kill, Kal would start seizing up. When Kal decided to scry and find his chapter's location in the Immaterium, the intense exposure of his soul to the Immaterium sent him into a catatonic state, requiring weeks of recuperation and a psykic dampener for Kal to regain his senses. Although he was still a considerable psyker, he could no longer rely on his extraordinary reflex.

However, Kal's foresight is not the only psykic power he can use, as during his service, he mastered numerous spells, with the main two disciplines being Telepath and Obscuration. He is a strong telepath, able to inspire his allies and bring fear onto his foes. He even imbues his telepathic power into his Force Falchion, heightening his foe's sense of fear and making them less able to focus on Kal himself, giving Kal greater opportunity to land a killing blow. He is also well-learned in obscuration shrouding himself and his allies from enemies, can vanish into darkness only to appear right behind his enemy and envelop his foes in darkness. As Kal became more in control of his psykic abilities, he eventually learned how to channel his psykic power into his weaponry. Although his Force Sword is the most potent in this regard, Kal is able to imbue mundane weapons with psykic energy, at least for short periods of time.

Kal's favoured offensive spell is the Psykic Scream, which coined one of his nicknames, 'Banshee'.

## Gene Seed Quirks

Kal, either due to the Astral Carbines' inferior gene seed implants compared to other chapters, or due to individual circumstance, has minor deficiencies compared to other Astartes.

**Catalepsan Node**- Kal seems to have an inferior Catalespan Node, meaning that he cannot switch off parts of his brain for rest after long periods, but rather he must sleep fully. Although he can stay up for extended periods of time, he is very prone to napping in low stress conditions.

**Omophaegea**- Kal has a non-functioning Omophaegea. He prefers rations.

**Mucranoid**- Kal has an inferior Mucranoid gland, and it does not respond to external treatment.

## Appearance

Kal used to wear standard MK-10 Phobos Power Armour, which was later modified to fit his role as an Eliminator. His armour was painted teal, with his entire lower-half of his armour from below the belt a dark grey, sharing the same colour as his shoulder pauldron trim and vambraces and his backpack. The poleyns (knee guards) and sabaton soles are the same teal colour as his chapter.

After he joined the Deathwatch, he adopted the same, jet black colour scheme of his chapter, with the left shoulder-plate and arm of electro-plated silver. He kept the symbol of his chapter on his pauldron until he became a blackshield. His robes drape down his torso and down his side and rear legs, with a belt at the waist with a skull on it. Even when he is not serving his vigil, and aiding the Astral Carbines, he is still seen to be in his Deathwatch armour. He often decides to wear the Primaris Reaver's skull helmet- for reasons he will not elaborate on further outside of personal preference. However, when he learned his Psykic Scream, he had the helmet modified with a speaker to extend the power and range of his psykic scream.

Without his power armour on, Kal is a strikingly handsome individual with brown, short and often messy hair.

## Relations

### Allies

**Karstian Orlus**- Karstian Orlus was Kal's initial mentor as a Librarian. Karstian Orlus, originating from the Searing Shroud, a Dark Angel's Successor, was not an experienced mentor, and tended not to fully explain everything Kal needed to know. Although Kal doesn't remember his training too fondly, he still holds Karstian in deep respect. However, Karstian saw Kal as his own failure, since Kal developed more sufficiently without his guidance.

**Vipus Octavio**- Vipus Octavio was Kal's mentor and officer before Kal became a librarian. Vipus Octavio's cheery and humorous disposition meshed well with Kal, and Kal became a trusted friend of Vipus. When Kal became a librarian, he still had contact with Vipus, supporting the infiltrations squads by cloaking them in darkness, and becoming an essential asset. Not even Vipus being interred in a dreadnought halted their friendship.

**Donna Iranius**- Kal and Donna were brother and sister before the two split, Donna being more commandeering of her older brother. However, when they reunited, they didn't know who each other were, although both remembered they had a sibling. Yet still, Donna sometimes ordered Kal and his kill-team in some missions. When they finally found out that they were siblings, Kal and Donna kept their quite professional relationship alive, but they treated each other as siblings when in more relaxed environments.

**Sarphus Hecton**- Sarphus Hecton was a close ally and battle brother of Kal, and acted as his anchor in certain cases. Sarphus and Kal made up the brains of the Kill-team, and Kal's radical and unorthodox thoughts were balanced by Sarphus' honesty and sincerity.

**Arfang**- Arfang and Kal together were an unstoppable force of mischief, with pranks, jokes and drinking galore.

**Struxas Maximus**- Kal and Struxas were not fond of each other during their long vigil. Struxas was more gritty and mission-focused, lacking in empathy. Kal and Struxas had argument and even brawls over their disagreements, typically being broken up by Sarphus. The two's relationship did tighten up though, especially during the Niktari campaign, when Kal came to understand the Scorching Steel.

**Erydor Cyban**- Erydor Cyban was Kal's mentor during the Long Vigil. Erydor sparked Kal's passion for studying his powers and engaging in the Librarium, instead of shirking everything off. However, due to the Lure of the Shadows, the curse from his Primarch, affecting Erydor, the two were strained in their relationship, until Erydor lashed out at Kal, leading to a tense duel between them, leading to Erydor's expulsion from the Deathwatch.

### Complicated

**Arius Diven**

**Kylith Meridax**

**Rysh Mahatek**- Rysh Mahatek had manipulated Kal and his Kill-Team into confrontation with Vathin Marek, Rysh's former mentor. However, when he finally revealed himself, Kal was more open than his comrades to accept Rysh's help, although he still made sure Rysh knew that he was not a friend. Kal and Rysh did hold conversation, Rysh even telling him about how he loved his family and how the Space Wolves took them away from him.

### Enemies

**Arcane Reavers**

**Zale Verrak**

**Ryk'tha'goran**

## Notable Quotes

### By Kal Iranius

> *"One thing I love about you Space Wolves... Mjod."*
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> "*I'd rather an Astartes die for a whole planet, than a whole planet die for an Astartes.*"
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> *"OI GITZ! OIM GONNA BE SNEAKY BREEKI LOIKE AND YA WONT SEE WHATZ COMIN!"-* Kal impersonating an Ork.
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> *"Arius, you were my friend. My battle-brother. At this point, I don't fight for the Imperium. Not here. Maybe on some far-flung world, yeah. But here, at this moment, the Imperium means nothing to me. What I fight for, what I hold close, are the people here on Casimus. Maybe not the same faces, but the same people. People who do not deserve this invasion. People who shouldn't have to fight tooth and nail on their home turf to survive. People who shouldn't have to see their loved ones torn apart by daemons, or even witness one. Just as much as this, I fight for you. For the hopes and dreams you took up the mantle for and left to rot. I believed in you. I wanted the best for you! I WANTED TO SEE YOU THRIVE! But look at you're doing! I fight for what you should be, not the monster you think you are! And if I have to cut you down, so be it. I won't hesitate!"*- Kal talking to Arius before they duel, and one of the only times Kal cried.
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> *"I swear Kylith, if you stop stalking me, I am gonna shove my bolter so far up-"*- Kal telling Kylith to leave him alone, before realizing his choice of words are very poor indeed.
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> *"Brothers in arms, sisters of battle, angels of death, I was born on Casimus, and by the Emperor's throne, I won't see my home turned into some desolate daemon world by a bunch of vile pawns of foul false gods. Today, we stand because we have so much to lose: our homes, our lives, our souls, our Imperium. Steel your blades, check your weapons, raise up barricades and get into position. We are going to go through hell, so let's mow down as many of those bastards while we're at it!"*- Kal giving the closest thing to an inspirational speech.
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> *"I'm a walking tank with magic powers. You're a guy with silly tattoos. I'm giving you the chance to kill yourself, to spare both of us the trouble."*- Kal talking to a heretic guardsman with silly tattoos.
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> *"Is it true Thousand Sons summon portals to piss into when they need a bathroom break?"*- Kal asking the Sorceror Rysh Mahatek an unprompted question.
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> *"YOU ATE MY QUEEN OF HEARTS?!"*- Kal after Arfang ate one of his cards, and one of the other times Kal cried.
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> *"I am not blind to the blight and the horrors of the universe, within and without. I know that the Imperium was better, and should be better. I want it be better. It's not unnatural to wonder where things went wrong, when hope left humanity. Honestly, I've had those thoughts. In my life, longer than any normal human, do not believe it had never crossed my mind. It has crossed, and dwelled, in my mind. Many times. Looking back, there were times I could've decided to abandon my vigil, to wallow in sorrow, and even to give up my soul. However, through the fear, the tragedy and the sorrow, I have always held onto hope. Hope for humanity, hope for the Imperium, hope for the galaxy. That's why I fight for the Imperium, because I know that the moment I give up on it, I give up on the hopes of countless people that hold to hope. And if we can stand against heretics, daemons, orks, tyranids, necrons, knife-ears and the end, I'd say hope isn't so misguided."*
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### About Kal Iranius

> *"If you were on that fleet-ship when it was snared by the Warp, you would've been the first to fall!"*- Julo Neronius antagonizing Kal Iranius.
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> *"You have an... unhealthy obsession with Invaders, 'Kal."*- Sarphus Hecton regarding Kal's giddiness upon getting to ride an Invader ATV.
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> *"Listen, Kal, you may think yourself a good little boy who abides by noble virtues and always eats his greens. But deep down, you're nothing but a killer who's looking for an excuse to kill.'*- Kylith trying to convince Kal, unsuccessfully, to join her.
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