Letter from a Falling Angel

Khnum-Anhuret alongside Sanguinius

By the time this letter sends I will be no more. My sons and I will little more than craven, bloodthirsty monsters. The Thirst rages within me. All I can think about with every passing second is ripping the head off of the envoy in the corner of my chamber and draining him dry. I write this as a last testimony to my brothers. May their Legions be more stable than mine.

Galvarian, I know you tried your best, but the task given to you was one even our Father could not have fixed in the time given. You tried to find the cure, and out of all our brothers, only you or Lu Yueh could have had a chance to crack the flaw plaguing my sons and me. Please, my brother, keep advancing the Imperium and being a beacon of knowledge in the coming years.

Shaaa. You never forgave me for what happened during the Squat Wars, I wished to make amends with you during the Great Crusade, but as time runs out, that is no longer a possible outcome. I want to say I’m sorry brother, sorry things ended the way they did between us. My last request for you is to look out for our recently found brothers, they need guidance that only you will be able to properly provide them.

Daito, none of our brothers ever truly made me laugh the way you did. You used to make me cackle until my head felt like it was soon to split open and tears of elation flowed down my face. Please, be a beacon of joy to our brothers in these soon to be dark times.

Vinicius & Euphrano, we never had a proper chance to meet beyond this last time, as we celebrated on your world of Bion. I wish I could write more for you, but the Thirst in my throat is overcoming me. As the wings on my back molt, I fear what I will become once this process has finally claimed me.

Artellion, I only talked to you during the Feast, but you have the chance to shine as one of the brightest. Stand by your brothers and they will stand by you with unwavering loyalty. Continue as you are, and you will honor our family more than you ever thought possible.

Khnum, you have so much potential my brother. From our first meeting when you were still fresh from your homeworld, to the Great Feast you have grown so much. Be faithful to yourself and your sons as you grow further into the greatest tactician the galaxy has seen. The month I spent weaning you into the political and social mores of the Imperium was one of the happiest that I have had in a long time.

Antarus, greatest of us all, you were always the standard by which our brothers were held to. You were the leader that I wished to be and it was my hope that in my time, I lived up to the standard you created. You are a beacon of hope that will guide the Imperium to its greatest golden age. The Imperium stands on your shoulders, but I know you will not fail your brothers or our Father.

Surmah and Charon, both of you are regarded as the monsters of the legions. You are so much more than that. I apologize, I have started to become repetitive, trying to stay rational becomes harder by the minute. I want you both to hear this from a true monster. You are not monsters. I have looked into both of you, and within you have souls not tainted by the position you have been forced to inherit. Go beyond that, show our brothers and the Imperium just what you can be if given the chance.

Bartosz, how you speed and run away. I know of the tragedy of the Interex. How cruel of our Father to force you to purge the people that raised you from infancy. I wish I had more advice for you, but all I can do is tell you that you have people who care for you. Remember that, remember your people, and keep cherished memories close. For there may come a time when that’s all you have left to carry you through the next impossible task.

Camelous, learn to slow down, just fly my brother. Fly like only I know you can. How I wish I could soar one last time with you. Add it to the list...

My time grows shorter by the second, I wish that I could continue to give each of you a personal farewell, but like so many things, this is impossible considering the ever growing circumstances. I apologize, but this is all I can do.

Nautis and Kodiak, I know father will send one of you two to deal with me once I have finished this metamorphosis. Perhaps he will send both, I truly don’t know what is to become of me or what will happen once things are beyond control. I will ask this. Whatever you have to do, please do it and do it quickly. This is one hunt that I hope neither of you will enjoy. When you strike me down, take the proof you need, and leave me to my final resting place.

Necalli and Abner, you might find it odd that I am addressing you both in the same vein, but both of you are overlooked as being only capable of one characteristic. Necalli, you crave isolation, constantly we see you for only the course of a battle or compliance, only for you to leave as soon as the mission is finished. Abner, many shirk away because of your status as a pariah. However, Necalli, your battle songs flow across the battlefield like a tidal wave of beauty. Abner. our conversations over rational and logic were challenging yet poetic in the same vein. Never forget your hidden strengths, both of you.

Calandrial, out of my brothers, I wish I had gotten to know you much better. Calandrial, ever the wayfarer, something that pained me as I tried to hide the degenerating nature of my sons as we fell little by little. How that failed, I desperately wish the source of your distance from our family is not due to a similar defect. If it should be, please, contact our father.

Gaius and Lu Yueh, our seekers of knowledge. Both of you wish to know how the galaxy works. Perhaps you two will figure it out, or maybe one of your sons will crack the meaning. Seek knowledge, but please, never let it consume you. Use your wits, both of you, and your knowledge will be among the greatest weapons humanity could wield.

I cannot pen much more, my hand trembles more and more as I sense the rushing torrent within each living human. My mind empties by the minute except for one singular thought, in but a handful of moments will I be nothing more than a beast. The tears I shed for my sons have dried, no more to come, the clock reaches midnight, and when it does, will I be no more. Restraint is slipping, harder to hold onto as every moment passes. Goodbye my brothers, I love you all, and I wish I could be there to see you all accomplish the great achievements you will.

Please, when you think of me, do not remember me as a monster, think of me as I was, before this happened.