The Emperor and The Chieftain King

Kodiak Ursidae

The Unification of humanity under one banner was the single greatest endeavour in the history of Mankind. The means by which this would come to pass was the Great crusade. Billions upon billions of mortal soldiers conveyed across the stars to conquer the incalculable worlds of the galaxy. Aiding them in their pursuit where the red robed machine priests of Mars as well as the colossi of the Titan legions. Starships, whose keels had been laid down in ages past, now served to once again transport man through the void and to bring his righteous retribution to the Xenos hordes that had preyed upon them for so long.

The undertaking the likes of which would never be seen again was underway and at its forefront the instruments of the Emperor himself, the Legiones Astartes.

Transhuman killing machines, created as mass produced reflections of their primogenitors, they were indomitable in their ability to secure victory regardless of the odds.

But they lacked that which ultimately was responsible for their existence, their fathers.
Whilst it was the Emperor who had sired the Astartes through his knowledge of gene craft, their origin lay in the Primarchs - the Master of Mankind's genetically engineered sons.
Intended to unify the galaxy as well as serve on beyond its conquest in some unknown capacity, the Primarchs were denied this when the Ruinous powers abducted them from the Emperor's laboratories and cast them across the galaxy with the intent on denying the dominion of humanity to pass.

So the Great Crusade began without its true generals at its helm, nonetheless it would proceed - its intention now not only to bring the children of old Earth into the nascent Imperium but to also rediscover the Primarchs and reunite them with their respective legions.

## Story

Five were found before the Lord of the 7th legion was discovered upon the world of Skara, far to the galactic North.

The Emperor had brought the Great Crusade to the region of uninhabited space in order to sure up the Imperiums vulnerable Northern flank and as the armadas drew close to their destination the Master of Mankind sensed a familiar presence.

Coming upon a death world of mountain forests, impenetrable fog and Savage beasts the Emperor set down alone to survey the world. Taking up the disguise of a robed wanderer he began his journey towards the being he had created so many years past on Terra.

However, despite his best efforts, word was already on its way to the one known as the Chieftain King, Kodiak Ursidae - The Bear of Skara.

Days passed and finally the Emperor was brought before his long lost son. Having rescued a band of hunters from wolves deep in the forest, he had asked to be taken to their leader. Compelled to do so as reward for the strangers intervention in their moment of need the hunters had agreed warily.

Taken to a clearing in the forests near total darkness, The Emperor had come upon a primitive village of sorts. Consisting of more than a dozen crude huts, the dwellings most prominent feature was the impressive Wall built around it. The manner of its construction was such that it was clear no mortal had made it. Whole tree trunks had been felled and then driven in the soil meters deep. Such an undertaking was more than impressive, and its effectiveness as a deterrent against Predation was clear from the Savage claw marks on the outside of the wall that did not reach above a quarter of its height.

Passing through the villages gates he observed the people who called it home. Simple, primitive, uneducated - the natives of Skara eyed him with suspicion and distrust. Despite this though, The Master of Mankind could not deny the Skarans inherent strength and ruggedness. Not a single one displayed any signs of frailty or illness and all maintained constant eye contact, the threat of violence ever present in their wild stares. The Emperor could not deny that on a primitive level he wasn't impressed at the fierce specimens of humanity.

At the center of the village was the largest of the dwellings, presumably a barn or hall of some significance judging by the ‘quality’ of the woodwork.

The Emperor entered, his disguise remaining intact. Immediately it was clear the building was a communal hall. Crammed inside was close to hundred people, all as Savage as those present outside. Hounds, that roamed freely amongst the people, growled threats at the stranger. The Emperor turned his attention momentarily to them and the animals recoiled with a whimper, as if catching the scent of a more fearsome creature. At the halls center a fire burnt, illuminating the faces of all around it and heating the space with a pleasant warmth.

The people all turned to face the new comer, the sounds of voices - shouting and laughing - that the Emperor had heard before stepping in had fallen silent in an instant. Not a single eye moved from him as muffled whispers drifted through the air, most of which threatened bloodshed. The Master of Mankind stepped forward, such words as significant to him as the concerns of an insect harrying one of his Astartes.

One of the hunting party who had led him into the village was noticeably absent, having slipped away through the crowd.

A voice boomed out suddenly from the furthest end of the hall.

“So this is who seeks me” spoke a voice more akin to a growl.

The people parted like a wave, a single fluid motion splitting them to either side of the fire. The Emperor saw him then, his son, undoubtedly the leader of the community.

“Aye, my King, he asked to be brought here after he saved me and the lads from wolves” said the hunter who'd slipped away from the Emperor, now standing at the Kings side.

“Did he now?” growled the King slowly, his deep black eyes burning into the Emperors.

The Emperor did not speak, he merely stood and surveyed his son. The one who the people referred to as King.

To describe his son as a giant would have been as great a disservice as possible in describing something so gargantuan. Bare chested and slouched in a throne of carved wood bedecked with furs and skins, the King was like a statue carved in the resemblance of an old pagan god. Slabs of muscle bulged and twitched across the Kings body and thick manes of red hair ran down the undersides of his forearms as well as over his chest, face and head. His skin was pale and crisscrossed with scars and clan markings. Thick piercings hung from his ears, and throughout his beard and hair ran dozens of trinkets. Two massive hands gripped the arms of his throne and as they flexed the wood groaned under the strain. At the end of each finger where thick curved claws that scratched deep grooves into the Throne, the ease of which led one to consider how easily they'd flay skin.

The Emperor never broke his gaze upon his son, their eyes locked in concentration as well as comprehension. Each was trying to gauge the other, both sizing the other up in case a physical altercation arose.

Every now and again a low rumble swept through the hall and it did not take long for the Emperor to deduce it was the heavy breathing of his son, such was the volume of his chest that it sounded as though a tempest roared within him.

“Who are you Outlander?“ spoke the King slowly.

The Emperor considered his response for a moment, despite the origin of his sons existence the reality of the situation was simple. The being before him had been raised on a world that could scarcely comprehend the notion of the word being round let alone who he was or the galactic events raging around them. Tact was required and no small amount of diplomacy.

“I am from distant lands…” replied the Emperor, his voice not loud nor meek but Possessed of an undeniable authority and power nonetheless.

“... And who do I address?” he asked in response.

The assembled peoples all burst into laughter as one. The sound was as brutal as the appearance of the Clans folk would suggest. Guttural and harsh, with an overly boisterous mirth that bordered on madness - the Emperor however remained focused on the king.

“I am Kodiak Ursidae… “ rumbled the voice of the barbarous goliath. “... Chieftain King of Skara and all who call her home… “ he continued, slowly rising to his feet. “... And you… Are lying.”

The laughter died in an instant. Only the crackle of wood burning upon the fire dared break the deadly silence.

Kodiak raised a foot and brought it down as he stepped forward from his throne. The sound was like a tree crashing to the forest floor and the Emperor felt the ground shift as his son walked toward him.

“There is not a soul alive in these lands who does not bow to me - there is not a man, woman or child who does not know my name… And if there is then that is because they are dead.” boomed the Chieftain King.

Kodiak lumbered forward still, his bare feet stepping into the burning fire. Logs as thick as a man burst under the weight as embers scattered up into the air, seeking to escape the Kings rising anger.

“So I will ask again… Outlander…” the words stabbed out from between Kodiaks fanged teeth. “... Who… Are...you?“

The Emperor said nothing, nor did he move nor did his heart quicken by even a single beat. He simply remained standing as he observed with quiet pride the superior specimen is son had grown to be. Truly, he would make a fine addition to the Great Crusade.

Kodiak was now standing before his father, his size meaning he glared down at the Master of Mankind with growing intensity.

The Emperor cast a slight glance around the hall. The fierce eyes of the assembled people burned into him with a murderous intent. He could sense their desire to kill him and he was sure that with but a single command from their King not one of them would avoid trying to slay him. They'd fail, naturally, but such loyalty was admirable. Indeed his son had either won or bred extreme devotion and loyalty into these people and they'd undoubtedly serve the Imperium well.

The Emperor held Kodiaks gaze for a moment, the tension growing with every second that passed before finally he spoke.

“I am your father, Kodiak Ursidae - Chieftain King of Skara”

The scene that followed was one of roarous laughter and applause. Not a single voice remained silent and the air was filled with the barks of Savage amusement. Some of the Clans people held one another to remain afoot whilst others collapsed with mirth. It was clear the Emperor's proclamation had received a peculiar reception. Indeed it was evident not a soul present believed his words, most likely thinking him a madman.

All of them found his announcement ludicrous, all except for one.

“My father?“ said Kodiak like thunder, his expression unclear. A mixture of disbelief as well as subtle curiosity passed across his features before disappearing behind the stoney visage.

“Yes, my son, I am your father and I have searched far and wide for you…” said the Emperor, aware of the words he used. A revelation such as the one presented by him to his lost son could be ‘destabilising’. A delicate touch was required to begin with until such a time as more could be revealed.

“... It will be a challenge for you to digest what I am telling you, but believe it or not I am the one who gave you life and I have come here now to show you what your purpose truly is”.

The words fell like hammer blows, such a claim was almost impossible to comprehend or even believe at all. Kodiaks eyes narrowed on the stranger claiming to be his father and despite his best efforts he could find no hint of duplicity. Whether true or not, it was clear the man believed his words even if no one else present did.

“The tales of my ‘birth’ lay high above in the sky realm outlander, all here know the story of the night a scar of fire split the black. The Elders say that a star fell from the sky realm to the earth below and where it came to rest I was found. They say I was screaming, covered in blood and wild as a beast….I'd even slain an elk and devoured most of it… Raw….” rumbled Kodiak, as he slowly began to circle the Emperor.

“... If you are my father then you must be of the sky realm also…” said the Chieftain King, his tone stern and threatening in its intensity.

“... I wonder, does that make you a god? And if so what kind of a god is so careless as to lose his son?... “ continued Kodiak, his voice beginning to grow louder as the anger in him began to surge once more.

The Emperor remained silent, his son's mood was upon the edge of a knife. The wrong move or word could have consequences that would benefit neither party though he could not deny he desired to see his sons temperament when pushed to anger.

The being he had created all those years ago was ultimately a weapon and even a being such as the Master of Mankind could not refuse his hearts desire to behold his sons power set loose.

“... Do you see that throne outlander? I built it only after I had slain my last rival, only when my clan was safe and its supremacy unchallenged, only when I had earnt the right to call myself King…”

Kodiak was behind the Emperor now, his weight sending shock waves through the ground as his feet pounded the soil with every step. His breathing causing a rumble like an avalanche that could be felt by all present down to their cores.

“... Nothing I have was given, nothing I hold was taken without sacrifice. You come here and tell me of my purpose yet I already have one. The one I earnt with my blood and sweat and have held onto ever since I was able to wield a blade…”

The Chieftain King once again came to stand before the Emperor.

“... So if what you say is true… Little man…prove it and take your place as King of this land…”

Kodiak leant down to bring his eyes level with his father's. The black pits ringed with Amber burning with animalistic fury as they bore into the Emperor's own.

He could smell him then, the Chieftain Kings scent, a potent mixture of blood and sweat and smoke. Where it not for his superhuman tolerances then the Master of Mankind would have likely gagged.

“... After all…” continued Kodiak with a snarl. “... A son may not rule whilst his father lives.”

In an instant Kodiaks paw swung out, his fingers locked in a beastial claw. The movement was beyond anything his size should have been capable of, indeed it should have been beyond the possibility of anything living at all.

Time slowed to barely a crawl as the Talons of the Emperors son tore through the air towards his father's throat. The assembled mortals would never be able to comprehend the movement, such was its speed. In the span of less than the blink of an eye Kodiaks fingers where but mere centimeters from tearing the windpipe from the outlanders neck.

None present saw it, except for one.
What happened was uncertain. Kodiak was lunging for the Emperor one moment and then he was gone.

The Clans folk stood motionless, their eyes darting around the hall, searching for their missing liege.

Then the sound of breaking timber caught the attention of all and as one they turned to the Chieftain Kings throne. Except that was gone too,replaced with a heap of broken and splintered wood. From amongst it moved the form of Kodiak, groggy and momentarily swaying before shaking himself off. He rose, slowly - any hint of humanity replaced by a panting beast of Savage intent.

Crimson hair obscured his face except for a single visible eye, wide with fury. Teeth bared, he through his head back and roared. The sound was like an explosion, its power Deafening all. Such was its intensity that the ear drums of those nearest burst. The walls of the hall trembled and the hounds that had sculked from the Emperor's presence, fled entirely.

Slowly the Emperor raised a hand toward his son, the Roar having down little if anything to shake his composure.

“Kodiak Ursidae, my son, be at peace.” said the Master of Mankind with a calm authority.

The Chieftain King stood for a moment, an apparent ease descending on him. He looked toward his father, a strange familiarity starting to cross his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but was stayed by something. His eyes falling across his startled people for but a second. Then they were back on the Emperor and The fury was returned.

“No.” he spat with a gobbet of phlegm.

Bursting forward, sending the remnants of his throne flying he surged across the length of the hall in less than a heartbeat. The crash of his footfalls was like the sound of thunder and the Skarans were thrown from their feet by the force.

The Emperor witnessed his sons charge and with a single swift motion took his cloak and cast it from himself.

In an instant he was transformed. Gone was the robed wanderer, instead replaced with a golden god that towered over the mortals. His hair, held back by a golden circlet, was as black as onyx and his tanned skin was both statuesque in its hard edges as well as soft in its apparent kindness.

Covering his body from neck to foot was armour of a gold so perfect that light appeared to radiate from it. Its brilliance was such that even the hardiest Skaran could not help but weep at its beauty. Eagles and Raptors adorned the War plate in such detail it seemed as though an artisan had simply embalmed the birds in gold and applied them directly. Jewels and stones of the rarest kinds shone from where they sat upon the armour and as the golden god moved gently it hummed with a unknown power that caused static to build up on those closest.
In one hand he wielded a talon of golden blades, each the length of a man's arm. They moved with a grace that belied their deadliness and the keenness of their edges made them sing as they sliced the air.

Clutched within his other hand was a sword of impossible size - the materials used in its forging enough to arm every Skaran man, woman and child with a spear and axe.

The Skarans could not resist the majesty of the Golden figure and reflexively moved away.

To Kodiak though, none of this mattered nor did it change the fact he would kill the outlander. No one challenged him and lived. That was the law of his people and his world, and that was his law.

Kodiak continued his charge, his mass barrelling down on the Emperor. With claws set to rend he slashed wildly, his hands a blur of motion. He snarled and spat as his quarry avoided each strike with impossible ease. It felt to Kodiak that this being was not dodging his strikes but instead knowing where they would fall and moving out the way before the strike was even launched.

He roared with frustration and swung both arms out to envelope his father in a crushing grip. The Emperor though was faster and caught his sons fists in his own hands. The speed was such that Kodiak did not even see him sheath his sword.

Kodiak roared again as the Emperor held him firm. His hands consumed by the Master of Mankind's. Kodiak threw his weight from side to side in a bid to send the Emperor off balance but it was to no avail. It was as though the Golden stranger was apart of Skara itself, immovable and all powerful.

Slowly the Emperor began to apply pressure, forcing his son not only back but down.
Kodiak tensed and dug his feet hard into the ground. With the strength of everything he could muster from within himself he surged forward. The ground cracked and then was pulverised to dust at the force being exerted. His hands no longer his to wield, Kodiak sought to bring his fearsome teeth to bare and he snapped wildly trying to claim purchase on his father's throat.
The Emperor met this Savage attack with a headbutt.

Kodiaks head snapped back and the ground splintered as the force ricocheted through his body. The air shock once again sending the mortals sprawling to the floor. The Chieftain Kings eyes rolled and blood trickled from his nose yet still he came forth ready to attack once more.

Determined to break free of the Emperors grip, Kodiak pulled his father towards him, bringing his knee up into the golden ones abdomen. The sudden attack caught the Emperor momentarily off guard and the strike connected with a thunderclap.

But if Kodiak had planned for it to serve as anything other than a final futile gesture, he was wrong.

Catching Kodiak by his throat, the Emperor brought the Chieftain King smashing down into the earth. The impact forcing the soil up in a shower of debris.

The Emperor stood back for a moment as Kodiak clawed his way out of the earth.

“Enough now, my son…” said the Emperor without a hint of exertion in his voice.

But Kodiak did not hear the words, in fact he heard nothing. He was deaf to the voices of his people cheering him on, he was deaf to the Skaran rain that pelted the halls exterior and he was deaf to the voice of reason to his conscience.

All Kodiak could hear was the beating of his hearts and the Roar of the beast within him that desired to taste blood and death.

Summoning every last ounce of strength Kodiak rose once more. His teeth gritted so tightly his gums burst and blood ran in streams from his mouth. His muscles tensed in preparation to bring forth a strike that could pulverise stone and his hearts raced as adrenaline coursed through him like a river.

With a guttural, beastial howl Kodiak swung his Fists like a hammer. His fingers interlocked and gripped so tightly his claws pierced his flesh.

The strike flew up to meet the Emperors head and as Kodiaks grime slicked hair parted he then finally saw it. The face of his father, the Emperor. Impassive and unmoved, as perfect and unblemished as when he'd first stepped into the hall. Not even a single bead of sweat fell from his brow and Kodiak knew deep down in his soul that he could not and would not be able to defeat him at that time or any other, for all the days that remained to him.

The Emperor watched the attack rise up to meet him, the quiet sense of pride at seeing how indomitable his son sort to be passing through him for the briefest of moments. Nonetheless, the fight had run its course and the matter of the 7th Legion and its reunion needed to be addressed.

“… I said enough, my son.” proclaimed the Emperor with finality.

Kodiak watched as his father caught the strike as simply as a child may catch an object tossed to it. He was powerless to resist as the Emperor raised his mighty taloned gauntlet up in the shape of a fist and brought it down into Kodiaks face.

Kodiak reeled at the force of the strike. His vision dimmed and his head sung as the impact rattled his brain inside his skull.

He focused on the Emperor and growled.
Another strike, harder than the first and Kodiaks head lulled sideways as blood ran from his ears. He forced himself to look upon his father through one half closed eye. He snarled and blood poured from his ruined mouth.

He spat a mouthful of broken teeth at his father, who raised a single eyebrow. Whether in amusement, concern or disgust Kodiak was unsure but he did not have long to hold the thought as the Emperor sent a third and final strike down upon him.

The ground exploded out from under the Chieftain King as the Halls roof was blown clear off by the upwards surge of energy.
In the microsecond of consciousness Kodiak retained he felt the peculiar sensation of his vertebrae compress under the force and his legs shatter. Then his vision went black and he was still.

Not a soul spoke as the rain began to fall into the now roofless Hall. The Skarans lay pressed against the walls in a bid to escape the fight. They were silent, the spectacle and shock robbing them of all sense. A few stood and one even tentatively inched forward but was stopped by the Emperors gaze passing over him.

The Chieftain King made a gurgling noise before falling silent, his great chest rising and falling steadily. The Emperor scanned the room, his expression unclear though some would later say he seemed content - even happy.

He said nothing but in a flash of light he was gone and so was the Chieftain King.

…

It would be a week before Kodiak awoke. His body healed by the efforts of the Emperors Apothecaries as well as his own superhuman physiology.

To begin with the culture shock was a struggle to adjust too. The Emperor revealed much to him, perhaps to much to soon but despite his initial difficulties - Kodiak adjusted. Learning of his place and purpose within his father's plans as well as of his legion the Chieftain King immediately set about plans to serve as best he could. Survival of the species was now his purpose as had been the survival of his clan on Skara. His hunting grounds were now the blackest edges of space and the world's they held and he would devour them all in order to make his species strong.

Soon the first Skarans began being inducted into the 7th Legion and took about their gene fathers purpose as their own.

It was the Skaran known as Old Crow who asked it aloud, when all others would not.
Speaking to his Primarch and friend in a moment of brevity away from the fires of war he sort to understand why Kodiak served the Emperor.

Kodiak had sat for a moment, seeking the right words to express himself.

“On Skara… We Fought daily to survive...some of us lived to see a new dawn and others did not...I remember the fear and uncertainty of our people after a bad hunt or a particularly harsh winter...i think that is how my father sees the galaxy and our species… And like me he wants nothing more to alleviate that suffering and doubt...he needs my help and I would give it to him willingly because if I did not then I would be little better than a hypocrite.”

Old Crow had watched his friend for a moment, before smiling and nodding with acceptance.

“He also beat me in a fight…” barked Kodiak with a harsh laugh.

“... And our way is to take what we want through strength…” said Kodiak with a shrug.

“... And he took my throne”.