Talking about the past is never easy, especially when there are many things you want to hide. Fear, uncertainty, the thinking of others is always something that worries even the most stoic. We all have shadows in our history, and we are afraid of being judged for what we did... or what we were.

After more than five years, Murrey had become the closest being to Kanan in this galaxy. It was not anotheran orc more of the horde. It was his right hand. The one he trusted the most. The one he could call from his heart a friend, and loved as if he were a brother.

Even as an Astarte he remembered many moments he shared with his battle brothers, but they were not the same. There was always a code, a barrier, a fury that prevented them from seeing beyond doing their duty with cold stoicism.

In fact, for Kanan, all this was little more than a bad joke. He couldn't remember any happy moments before he became an ork. Not even their promotions. Not even when he became the Emperor's Paladin. He did everything out of duty. out of conviction. But really... he never wanted it.

For the white-haired ork, facing his own desires was one of the bloodiest battles he had ever experienced. Enemies fell before his sword, and problems could always be given a logical solution, or he could punch them until they were solved like any good ork. But his inner self was not something he could defeat so easily. This me... new... One that I had forgotten... A me that was wonderful... And terrifying.

Unlike when I was with the councilAeldari, this time Kanan did not simply ignore any bit of information that his mind was capable of remembering. Little things like the taste of the first meat he tasted as an Ork. The emotion of the first fight he had. The adrenaline he experienced the first time he hitKurnet, at that time a mere guard at the shelter. The thrill of defeating the first Ork warlord.

Kanan's story captivated the orkmatazanos like I had never experienced before. Little by little, the rest of the orks came closer to listen to him, like the voice of a prophet pleading for glory and rewards. Even so, Kanan seemed fearful, now overwhelmed by the hundreds of ears listening to his story.

The white-haired ork kept his gaze on the floor, as if wanting to avoid discovering the accusatory glances of the rest of the orks in front of him. And it wasn't until he began to tell what happened on Atem III that Kanan looked up, getting a surprise like he never imagined before.

Admiration... That was what Kanan found in the faces of his followers. Very different from what he himself thought. The orks, no matter how intelligent they were, were still simple beings. A good battle to be happy and a warlord to lead them from one war to another. And hearing Kanan's story was like hearing a divine prophecy.

Not even Murrey could hide his excitement upon learning that his warlord faced one of the very gods of chaos and came out alive to tell the tale. Not to mention the state of mind of the orks upon learning that their warlord, the one who had led them through so many battles around the galaxy, had received the blessings of the twin gods. Some almost wet themselves when he told them about his confrontation with Morko. Of course... Kanan told them about a beating by the god, but his followers listened to it as if it were one of those heroic stories where the hero faces a dragon to achieve his goal.

And so, completely different from what Kanan himself thought, his story ended in energetic cheers and looks full of hope. The orks did not show any rejection towards him... Quite the opposite... Now they almostin idolatry like an envoy from the gods... Although the latter was no less true.

The excitement of those present was literally uncontrollable. Questions came and went, and Kanan did his best to answer. The orks didn't care if theirthe caudillo was a human once.Yes, there was fought against countless xenos around the galaxy, including other groups of orks. None of that mattered to them. They were only interested in the now and the future. And he promised them a glorious one.

When the tide of questions was finally quenched, Kanan felt exhausted, but free. A sensation like I had never experienced before. So many years of uninterrupted duty. So many years of sacrifice in vain and then so many years hiding the truth... Releasing everything inside you without a doubt is a sensation that you would be unable to forget.

Now he could breathe easy. The air entered his lungs and filled every space, every cavity. His mind, at last, was a lake of calm waters... At last.

Murrey: - So humi... After countless moons you still continue to surprise me. -

Kanan: - Everything has been... very chaotic. -

Murray:- Well... That at least explains why you are so skilled... Two hundred years of battles. Now that's exciting. -

Kanan: - It's not the same. The two hundred years I fought as the Emperor's Paladin were... different... I felt no satisfaction from them... Only duty and... hatred... But now all that seems like nothing more than a bad dream. -

The scene in question was most curious. Lying on the sand of the Colosseum, the two orks, warlord andmatazanos They were lying there looking at the immensity of space through the colossal dome of the craftworld. Around him, the hundreds of orks who were now sleeping after the very busy and exciting day, like a pack around their leader. Still, there were certain doubts that needed to be answered.

Murrey: - And now what will we do? -

Kanan: - That is a very good question. -

Kanan stared at the endless universe for a few more seconds. His mind was full of crazy ideas. Deciding the best course of action was not easy, especially since his ultimate goal had not changed at all. The big question was... How to achieve it?

Several minutes passed, and silence filled the area, except for the occasional noises coming from outside and the loud snoring of the children. It was then... that the answer came to Kanan without warning.

Kanan stood up, taking Murrey by surprise, who saw his master with an illusion on his face that he had not seen in a long time. The same one he saw the day his ships left Heim towards the unknown. The same one he saw when he took the spear in his hand and threw it against the orks who wanted to defeat him in that insignificant field. The same one where... it all started.

Murrey had to hurry to catch up with his master, as he began to walk towards the exit of the coliseum with a hurried step. His destiny was a mystery to him.matazanos, but he did not hesitate to follow him for a moment. and by the time he managed to reach it, they were already on the outskirts of the arena heading towards the noble zone of the craftworld.

Murrey: - Hey, Kanan... Where are you going? -

Kanan: - I will speak with the Aeldari council. I'll call for a ship and we'll return to Atem III. -

Murray: - That...? Are you serious? -

Kanan: - I have never been so convinced. -

Murrey: - But we don't even know how to get there. -

Kanan: - Wewe will manage. -

Murrey: - We don't even know if they are still there. -

Kanan: - Well, we found some clue. I refuse to believe thatthose of thebig heads have died. - Referring toKurnet and David.

Murrey: - We don't even know if the Aeldari will give us a ship. -

Kanan: - Then I will bash their heads until they come to their senses. -

That was a radical change without a doubt. Now it was Murrey who seemed the most human, worrying about things that, while vitally important, Kanan didn't seem to care about at all. It was as if by letting off steam the white-haired ork had finally become a full-fledged ork. And he wasn't lying about the headbutts. Although a voice stopped him before he did anything stupid.

Lith: - Maybe that's not necessary. -

The appearance of theaeldari It was timely, since both orks were already approaching the noble area, where their heavy footsteps and hoarse voices would not go unnoticed.

Kanan: - What do you mean? -

Lith: - The council has spoken and we agree. The world of Cernunnos agrees and will join your cause... At first I only came to look for you to bring you before the Council. But given your peculiar "enthusiasm" it was better to give you a preview. -

And after restraining the hot-headed warlord, Lady Phoenix led both Kanan and Murrey to the craftworld council. Needless to say, Autarch Rioth Kalun was not at all pleased with the presence of the two.orkos in the throne room, but the matter at hand was more important than any rivalry that might exist between both species. The moment... had arrived.

Ney'at Thef, great seer of the craftworld, knew immediately that Kanan already knew of his decision, yet his words sentenced the premature alliance between the world of Cernunnos and the horde of thean orc with white hair. More allies for your cause.

Kanan wasn't stupid. He knew that his goal and that of theaeldari withintertwined, and these would have a great advantage once their goal has been met. Only he, the Council and Lady Phoenix knew what Orko's intentions were, and in turn, they saw in them a faint light of hope.

For obvious reasons, manyaeldari They did not agree with the decision. Join forces withthose dirty greenskins? What a blasphemy. Even so, the words of the great seer were sacred, and no one was willing to contradict her.

Now, Kanan and his boys were in the main hangar of the craftworld of Cernunnos. A cavity so large that it would even be capable of containing a small moon. Everyone, waiting for the warlord and the leaderaeldari They will exchange their last words.

Ney'at: - It will not be a simple task. -

Kanan: - I am aware of that. But we must try. This will give hope to this damn galaxy... and its people. -

Very few knew what they were talking about, but it would be best to keep the secret between the leaders of each faction. After all, knowing the truth could drive many to madness, or worse yet, reach enemy ears.

Ney'at: - So... That's how it will be. We will do our part, andwe will wait for his return. We count on you. -

Kanan: - That's how it will be. -

What happened next was inexplicable to many. Both the great seer and the rest of the council greeted thecaudillo orc before his game, with a very characteristic greeting of theaeldari. A greeting that both Kanan and the rest of the orks responded in the same way. Something that no one expected from wild greenskins... although perhaps they were more than that.

Behind the group, an imposing Solaris-class light cruiser was waiting for its crew. A combined force of orks andaeldari They would unite to carry out a crusade the likes of which the galaxy had not seen since the War in Heaven. A unique moment in history.

A group formed by the nobles andorkos purple, allied with a considerable force of warriorsin aeldari followers of the path of the Ruthless Avengers, led by none other than Exarch Haleth himself. The same one who had already had several unfriendly encounters with Kanan himself. Needless to say, the exarch himself did not want to be there, but that was a good rebuke for his attitude.

Luckily, this would be under the command of Warlord Lith, who brought with her about fifty of her Spectral Sentinels. Warriors who, like their warlord, carried spectral bone within their bodies, but to a lesser extent, as there was much they had to increase in power and endurance to reach the level of the Warlord.

To the shipsaeldari He started his engines and prepared for takeoff, waiting for a huge portal to the web to open right in front of him to begin his complex journey. Kanan, Murrey, Lith, and Haleth waited patiently at the command post, while the rest of thein aeldari present finished calibrating all the Solaris mechanisms. And finally, one of the flight officers gave the signal to begin the trip.

Lith: - Very good... Where to then? -

Kanan: - Get ready. We leave for Atem III. -