Gabriel Seth - Trial of Blood: Following the events on Armageddon, Seth was summoned by Commander Dante to Baal itself, to stand before the lord of the angelic host and an assembly of Chapter Masters from the other Chapters of the Sanguinary Brotherhood. Each of these mighty individuals were gene-sons of Sanguinius charged with commanding a Chapter of the Blood.Seth would stand trial to account for his deeds. Casting his gaze over the assembled Chapter Masters, the Flesh Tearer found no friends among them. Amused by the challenge inherent in their damning stares, Seth informed the assembly that he had not come there for their help. It was a rare occurrence for so many Chapter Masters to gather in one location. The Forum Judicium, located within the bowels of the Blood Angels' fortress-monastery of the Arx Angelicum, was no simple court. It existed only to arbitrate in the direst of circumstances.In such times the scions of Sanguinius were called upon to lend their voice to the shape of history, to stand and make a choice. More than once Seth had stood with the others, passing sentence on the future. A surge of guilt quickened his hearts as he remembered the consequences of such occasions. Some decrees, some judgements when passed, were like the pulling of a trigger. They could not be undone.Seth informed the assembly that he had come to make a sacrifice, but one that would include him alone. They might damn him, removing his name and deeds from the histories of the Imperium. But they would spare his Chapter, he warned. Dante informed the Flesh Tearer that he was in no position to make demands. Castellan Zargo, Chapter Master of the Angels Encarmine, agreed with the Lord Commander, pointing an accusatory finger at Seth, warning him that he would account for his deeds. Seth interjected, yes, he would -- but only his deeds. And with him it would end.Whatever the outcome, Seth promised that the Flesh Tearers would continue to fight in the name of the Emperor and Sanguinius. The assembly would do nothing to reprimand them nor bring stain to their honour. If they threatened his brothers -- if they spilled even a single drop of blood in vengeance -- Seth promised that he would kill every last one of them before his head left his shoulders. He would tear out their eyes and drink their blood dry. Zargo bristled with indignation at Seth's threats.The Flesh Tearer cut off his retort, calling Zargo a hypocrite. For it was the assembled Chapter Masters before him who had summoned him in threat of his life. Geron, Chapter Master of the Angels Numinous scornfully asked Seth what boon had he given them. For the Flesh Tearer's actions and that of his Chapter had forced the attention of the Inquisition upon all of them, clawing at their doors like hungry wolves. Orloc, lord of the Blood Drinkers, agreed with Geron's assessment.Dante slammed his hand down, brooking no more dissent from the assembled scions of Sanguinius. The Flesh Tearer had said his piece, now Seth would listen to what the assembly had to say. Dante gestured to Techial, Chapter Master of the Disciples of Blood. He had been appointed the assembly's Chronicler. It fell to him to recount Seth's sins, to detail the actions that had brought the Flesh Tearers to such a juncture. Techial unfurled a length of parchment and read the charges aloud.Gabriel Seth stood before them as a broken son, an orphaned brother. As Techial listed off the misdeeds of the Flesh Tearers, they soon came upon the event known as the Stromark Civil War. In 991.M41, a political rivalry within the Stromark System led to a civil war between the two manufactoria worlds, Stormark Primus and Stromark Secundus, that coexisted within that star system.The escalating violence halted the flow of much needed weapons and materiel from those planets to the wider Imperium, a situation that the Departmento Munitorum's adepts determined could not be allowed to continue without adversely affecting the security of the Emperor's realm. As a result, the Angels Encarmine and the Flesh Tearers were despatched to the Stromark System with the mandate to end the conflict by any means necessary.The fighting on Stromark Prime was the first to cease. The first engagement by the Flesh Tearers Chapter was also the last, as stories of unstoppable Space Marines hacking a vicious and bloody path through literally tens of thousands of Stormarkian warriors quickly terrified the planet's recalcitrant population into submission. Stromark Secundus took longer to be pacified, as the Angels Encarmine used less "direct" methods than their savage brethren amongst the Flesh Tearers.Several solar hours of difficult combat ensued that was brought to an end when five of the Chapter's Furioso Dreadnoughts smashed into the Stormarkian Secundus military headquarters and tore the planet's High Command apart. The surviving officers of the planet's Planetary Defence Force wisely agreed to immediately end the conflict with their neighbours and resume meeting the system's crucial production quotas.Zargo claimed that Flesh Tearers Chaplain Appollus had forced his hand at Stromark. The Chapter Master accused the Flesh Tearers of killing millions with needless haste and callous disregard. Seth countered that Appollus had done what was needed, accusing Zargo of negligence as he would have bled Astra Militarum regiments for solar months before committing to battle. Seth claimed that it was better to slaughter those too weak to have thrown off their oppressors than throw away the lives of those who would at least try.The master of the Exsanguinators interrupted the Flesh Tearer's reply. He bristled with rage at how Seth had handled another situation with an upstart Inquisitor by the name of Corvin Herrold. When the Inquisitor had boarded the flagship of the Flesh Tearers, seeking audience with the Chapter Master, he was there to inquire about the events that had occurred at Honour's End in 837.M41, when the Flesh Tearers and the Space Wolves had gotten into a bloody confrontation with one another on the world of Lucid Prime after the Flesh Tearers had continued their indiscriminate slaughter of civilians even after the Chaos Renegades had been driven away.In reality, the Inquisitor had used one of his Interrogators as a proxy to meet with Seth. Meanwhile, the Inquisitor infiltrated the bowels of the vast flagship, seeking evidence of the Ordo Hereticus's long-held suspicions about the Flesh Tearers' deviancy. When he came upon a lone Astartes who had recently succumbed to the Black Rage chained to the walls within the bowels of the ship, Herrold believed his ordo's suspicions had been vindicated. The Inquisitor was taken by surprise and knocked unconscious by Chaplain Appollus, while his retinue was slaughtered by the Flesh Tearers.In such a situation, Seth could have killed the Inquisitor outright, buying his silence with swift oblivion. But Seth's pride had damned the Inquisitor. When Herrold finally regained consciousness, he was given a harsh object lesson by the Chapter Master. Seth had one of his Librarians create a psychic mind-link with the recently-cursed battle-brother. Herrold was exposed to the full measure of the nightmarish symptoms of the Black Rage. Only a few moments' exposure was almost enough to break the Inquisitor's mortal mind.Seth explained that this was the inner demon the Flesh Tearers' were forced to wrestle with on a daily basis, a demon that at best they were able to use as a weapon against the enemies of the Emperor, and at worst would steal their sanity and their lives as they struggled to continue to faithfully serve the Imperium. Seth asked the Inquisitor -- what right did a worm like him have to accuse his Chapter of heresy? Departing the Victus, Herrold removed his Inquisitorial Rosette, his official badge of office, dropping it to the ship's deck. For he no longer had any faith in his own judgements.Malphas of the Exsanguinators accused Seth of having to prove that his will was stronger than that of the Inquisitor's. The Flesh Tearer explained that it was, for it had to be, for the curse of their bloodline ravaged his Chapter. It stole his brothers and handed him monsters. It was as inevitable as death, and yet they fought on. Malphas thrust a finger at Seth, stating that it was a fight the Flesh Tearers had obviously lost.Seth retorted that it was all of their burden to bear, though fate and fortunes not of their making forced them to face it to different degrees. The Flesh Tearer thought that Malphas, of all the Chapter Masters present, would have been more understanding. The curse claimed his brothers almost as often as it did Seth's. If the Exsanguinators' blood were as susceptible to the Black Rage as the Flesh Tearers', Malphas might be standing accused instead of Seth. The Chapter Master found himself lacking for words.Seth explained to the assembly that they had not won the war against the Archenemy. They had lost entire worlds to the slaves of the old Legions, and yet never had this council gathered to discuss whether or not they should give up that fight. Many of the assembled Chapter Masters bristled at the Flesh Tearer's audacious words.Seth replied that the curse was as real a threat as anything the Eye of Terror spawned. The Archenemy could be defeated. They could be killed. The scions of Sanguinius would fight them with all that they were and they would kill them, bleeding the galaxy to do so. But the curse, the curse could not be faced in battle. It could not be brought to account. They had nothing to wage war against when it was all that they were.Lord Sentikan, master of the Angels Sanguine, countered that Seth was mistaken. Mephiston was living proof of the victory that awaited. He emerged from the throes of the curse sane of mind and whole of body. He was hope enough.Seth countered that Sentikan was a naïve aspirant if he believed that monster to be their salvation. In Seth's eyes, Mephiston was an abomination. A wraith who should have been clad in armour as dark as his soul. This remark sent a tide of discord washing through the chamber, drawing cries of sanction and outcry in equal measure.Indignant, Malakim Phoros, Chapter Master of the Lamenters, remarked that at least the Chief Librarian did not butcher with the same abandon as the Flesh Tearers. Even those battle-brothers deemed fit to wear the crimson made the butchers of his Chapter's Death Company seem sane by comparison. Seth angrily retorted to Malakim's jibe, but was cut off by Dante's words.The Lord Commander warned Seth that anger and despair had seen the end of Nassir. Seth sighed, sobered by Dante's words. Nassir Amit had been the first of the Flesh Tearers' Chapter Masters. A brutal, vicious warrior, his deeds were great and many. He had fought in the Great Crusade and conquered Cretacia, the world Seth now called home. Amit had been the best of them before his thirst for blood and violence had consumed him. Seth explained to the council that he had stood consumed by darkness and led an army of monsters in defence of the light. He had done what must be done to ensure the future of his Chapter.Geron, Chapter Master of the Angels Numinous, replied with disdain that Seth's first duty was to the Emperor, whether he survived or not was of no consequence. It was no secret that the Angels Numinous held the cursed in callous disregard. They loathed their damned brethren, despised their weakness and the dark legacy of their primarch father.Seth countered that his first duty was to Sanguinius and the gene-sons the primarch had left him in stewardship of. Dante interrupted, asking Seth what of his duties to them as a whole. What of the promise he had made to him. Did Seth remember the oath he had made to Dante when he first assumed command of the Flesh Tearers? On the day of his rise to Chapter Master, Seth had come to Dante. Seth had vowed to bring the Flesh Tearers to heel. To put an end to the violent outbursts, and the heedless, unnecessary slaughter. He was to bring honour back to the Chapter and glory to the memory of Sanguinius.Seth angrily replied that he had fought to uphold that vow with his every breath. Dante ordered Seth to speak, then. Speak and let them hear of his efforts. Seth spoke of the many times his Chapter, even caught in the throes of the Black Rage, had accomplished much. They had snatched victory even at the expense of their own lives.After all the evidence had been laid bare, and all the discussions had ceased, the Chronicler called for his brothers' silence. As one, the assembled Chapter Masters drew their blades. There was no secret ballot or hushed congress in the Forum. Each of the Chapter Masters would account for his decision in open court, the truth of their judgement ever known. As Chronicler, the honour of first petition was Techial's. As first among them, Dante voted last.Upturning his blade and planting it into the ground, Techial rendered his verdict. Guilty. Zargo could not move quickly enough. A second guilty verdict. And so it continued as one by one the other Chapter Masters condemned the Flesh Tearer. Seth bit back a curse as even Malphas damned him. Only a handful of the Chapter Masters stood in his defence, tossing their blades to the chamber floor. The weapons chattered beside him. It was a symbolic gesture, a martial gift to help defend him from guilt. All eyes turned to Dante.Dante rendered the final verdict. "Gabriel Seth, son of blessed Sanguinius, Chapter Master of the Flesh Tearers." He paused, driving his sword down into the earth. "This council finds you unfit to bear such a title." He went on to inform Seth that the Flesh Tearers would be broken up, a portion of their number subsumed by each of their Chapters and placed under watch of their most steadfast Chaplains. Seth inquired as to his fate. Dante began to inform him that he would remain on Baal, until such time as madness or death claimed him.At that moment a sonorous voice echoed throughout the chamber, "No, he will not." A startled hush fell over the chamber as a new speaker entered. Clad in blackest plate, dark-feathered pinions framing his back, Astorath was a figure of dread. The Blood Angels High Chaplain entered the chamber and stood shoulder to shoulder with Seth.Dante warned the High Chaplain that he had overstepped his authority. Astorath replied to his Chapter Master that no, he had not, as it was he who walked the line that was his, and his alone to tread. For only he alone was the final arbiter of the curse of their primarch and its victims. Dante welcomed the High Chaplain's wisdom but warned the High Chaplain that he would not defy the council's decision.Astorath informed the assembly of the Sanguinary Brotherhood that it was not defiance he brought, but redemption. Techial inquired for whom did he bring redemption. Astorath interrupted, snapping at the Chronicler -- he brought redemption not just for the Flesh Tearers, but for all of them. He had come to stop the assembled Chapter Masters from making a grave error. Sentikan spoke slowly, struggling to contain his anger, warning Astorath that it was not his decision to make.Astorath retorted that he was the Redeemer, Sanguinius' chosen executioner. Were they so certain that none among them should face the High Chaplain's axe. Astorath levelled his weapon, panning it over the assembled Chapter Masters. A chorus of angry retorts rippled around the chamber. Malphas asked Astorath if he had dared to threaten them. Astorath replied that he had not. He offered only a reminder and a promise. A reminder that in time when the curse took even the strongest among them, he would bring judgement -- and release.Dante asked the High Chaplain why he would stand in Seth's defence. Seth had troubled him, even bloodied him on a prior visit to Baal, and on more than one occasion. Astorath explained that they were the Emperor's avenging angels. They showed no mercy. No forgiveness. They had been bred to bring only death. They were terrible to behold and their fury was the stuff of fire-swept legends. Yet, there were terrors in the depths of the universe whose might eclipsed their own, whose hatred they could not comprehend. There were foes they must face who would cross the lines of honour and kinship that they could not afford to break.Zargo snarled in frustration, asking the High Chaplain, did they actually need the Flesh Tearers? Astorath replied that they did. The Emperor in His infinite wisdom created many sons, each of differing aspect. Zargo was their zeal, Malakim their redemption and Sentikan their protector. If Dante was their conscience, then they should let Seth be their blade. They should let the Flesh Tearers be the teeth of that blade.Turning to regard the Flesh Tearers Chapter Master, Astorath continued, explaining that even though Seth was a wretched berserker and his actions were ill-considered and rash, they were in need of such mongrels if they were to triumph. For the first time in two solar days, silence filled the vastness of the chamber. Behind the unreadable visage of his death mask, Dante smiled. Wars, he knew, were won with weapons, not principles. Gabriel Seth was nothing if not a weapon.And so the Flesh Tearers Chapter Master was judged guilty -- but he and his Chapter were allowed to continue to serve as the bloody weapons of the Emperor.