Pass through the night

The days and night pass by quickly, my body doesn't grow tired, my new augmented body could handle days without sleep, maybe weeks if I really tried. I wasn't even hungry, not a sound from my stomach was to e heard. If i remembered my lore, Space marines could last almost 2 years without substances. In my journey I came upon a large forest, the trees al looked dead and I swear some had faces until you looked at them directly. With careful steps, I navigated the dense undergrowth of the Forest, my senses on high alert. The forests' high branches blotted out the sun consuming me in darkness. Each rustle of leaves and crack of branches seemed to echo through the ancient woodland, keeping me ever vigilant. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and moss, and the occasional eerie howl pierced the stillness, sending shivers down my spine.

As I pressed forward, my suits sensors scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of danger. Suddenly, a low growl rumbled from the shadows ahead, and I tensed, my grip tightening on my bolter. Emerging from the darkness, a massive wolf made of wood loomed before me, its eyes gleaming with primal hunger.

I steadied my shaking breath as I faced this giant beast. The wolfs wooden like fur bristled as it bared its razor-sharp teeth, its muscles coiled and ready to strike. With a swift movement, I raised my weapon, with my aim true, I fired my bolter at the beasts chest, the bullets piercing the thick wooden skin, it howled in anger and in a blur of motion, the wolf lunged forward, jaws snapping hungrily. I quickly holstered my bolter and drew my chainsword, the wolf tackled me and bit down on my swords blade, "How do you work this fucking thing!?" I asked myself as I struggled to push the wolf off of me, I found the throttle for the chainsword and squeezed it tightly. The sword roared to life and the swords teeth sliced the wolfs mouth sending woodchips everywhere. The Wolf howled in pain and anger, it slammed it's paws onto my chest then bit down onto my shoulder shattered its wooden teeth, it yelped in pain and backed away. I rolled to my feet quickly and readied for another attack. My suit made a cold hissing noise barely audible to my own ears and I felt my breath slow down and and a more calming sensation wash over me. The bottom left of my HUD gave me a notification: Injecting stimulant".

The wolf charged at me once again, this time I managed to dodge it just in time. I revved my chainsword and swung for it's under belly, woodchips shot out and the wolf collapsed to the ground. It struggle to get back up giving me time to approach its front. I looked down upon the monster, it was surreal to see, a beast made of wood and almost the size of me. I raised my boot then with as much force as I could apply I crushed it's skull, the sound of sticks cracking and a yelp filled the air, then silence. I emerged victorious against my first foe. A beast made of cursed wood and death, of course I almost lost my cool but managed to save it. I leaned against a nearby tree and looked up at the covered sky, very little light managed to break through the small gaps in the trees, I thought to myself about what had just happened.

"This is one fucked up dream" I said aloud, not to anyone in particular other than maybe God. I sheathed my sword and equipped my bolter again. Which a grunted breath I got back on balance. I turned back down the dark path I was following and continued my stroll through this deadly forest. My sensors were beeping, showing multiple dots around me, but none dared to get closer than a few yards, they probably watched me kill the giant wolf and are curious to know what I'll do next. The sound of faint whispers, barely audible, teased at the fringes of my ears, like the distant murmur of voices carried on the wind. They were elusive, fleeting, slipping away whenever I strained to listen more closely. I thought maybe it was these creatures that hide in the shadows of the trees, but another thought told me something was speaking to me in my mind.

I continued deeper into the forest, my helmets night vision allowed me to see better as I marched on. The whispers grew louder, there were multiple voices I couldn't make out a word, it was as if I was getting closer to whatever was causing the voices to speak with almost a hint of glee. A small bridge came before me, across was the ruins of a castle, its damage gave it an unsettling look. The whispers became desperate, and very annoying. "Shut the fuck up for a second damn!" I yelled to the sky. I examined the bridge and knew I would break it the moment I set foot on the first plank. The gap looked short enough to jump across, with a deep breath, I tensed my muscles and prepared to jump. With a good running start, I launched myself into the air, the gap between the the soils and myself giving me an adrenaline rush. For a heart-stopping moment, it seemed as though I might fall, but with a final surge of strength, I cleared the distance, landing heavily on the other side. I tripped over myself and collapse onto my back.

"I really should find the manual for this thing." I say aloud. I get to my feet and pick up my bolter, I gaze upon the castle, the entrance had debris scattered around it. I cautiously step over fallen stones and tangled vines, my gaze sweeping across the desolate halls of the ruined castle. The air is thick with the scent of decay, and a shiver runs down my spine as I take in the scene before me. A torn banner with blue and golden markings laid shredded near the thrones of the castle.

Moss-covered walls lean precariously, and shattered windows let in slivers of dim light, casting eerie shadows on the cracked floors. I can't help but wonder what events transpired here, reducing this once majestic fortress to a crumbling shell of its former glory. As I traverse deeper into the darkness, my mind races with possibilities. Was it an attack from an enemy kingdom, or perhaps the wrath of some ancient curse? Or maybe it was simply the relentless passage of time, slowly eroding away the castle's strength until it finally succumbed to ruin. With each step, a sense of both trepidation and curiosity grows within me.

As I cautiously make my way through the decrepit halls, my eyes are drawn to the imposing thrones that sit at the heart of the castle. Despite the ruin that surrounds them, they remain a testament to the grandeur that once filled these walls.
As I approach, a chill sweeps through the air, and I pause, my senses alert. And then, amidst the silence, I hear it, the soft whisper of a female voice. It's clear enough for me to hear this time, it made me wonder if this castle was haunted.

"What is it you desire most human?" the voice asks, its tone echoing with a strange mix of curiosity and authority.

My heart quickens at the unexpected question, and I find myself momentarily frozen in place. Who or what could be speaking to me from the shadows of this forsaken castle? Under my helmet I gawked at the thrones. "Who are you?" I ask, unsure if I'm addressing a ghost, the giant chairs, or something else entirely. The air seems to hum with anticipation as I await a response, the weight of the question lingering heavily in the air around me.
As I stand before the thrones, my senses on high alert, a sudden disturbance in the air catches my attention. A shimmering, transparent figure materializes before me, radiating an otherworldly aura that sends a shiver down my spine. For once in this world I was deeply disturbed and I did not like it one bit. Before me stands a being of ethereal beauty, yet there's an unsettling allure to her presence. It is Slannesh, the Chaos God of excess and pleasure, her form shifting like liquid silk.

"Y-You're... him-uh-her" I stuttered. I felt my body lock up preventing me from aiming my bolter towards the Chaos Gods head.

Her laugh was almost angelic, it was sweet and beautiful. "I am what you envision me to be mortal"

I take a step forward subconsciously. "Why am I here? What do you want from me?" I ask, thinking it brought me here somehow.

Slannesh's form flickers as my eyes meets hers once more, her expression a mask of innocence that belies the deceptive nature of her words. "I am here only to offer guidance, dear mortal," she insists, her voice honeyed with false sincerity. "Nothing more"

"Guide me to chaos?" I huffed. "I would never!"

Her hands gently touched my armors shoulders. "And yet here you are dawning the Armor of my most devout followers" I backed away and turned my head down, she used a hand to force me to look up, her touch made my body shut down. Her power was too great for me to handle. "Why resist when you could embrace the ecstasy that awaits? I will offer you anything you wish my child, give you the love you crave and the pleasure you seek"

I managed to use enough strength to back away, "I will not give in to your wickedness, I may wear the armor of the fallen but I will not become one of them!" my hands were heavy, my bolter wouldn't go beyond my waistline. I knew this thing could kill me in seconds, I expected it.

Slannesh laughed aloud at my vain attempt, her laugh sounded beautiful but wicked at the same time. "Oooh I can't wait to see how an weak, frail, being like you fairs against my power" She smirked. Cocky and confident, she revels in the chaos that unfolds, knowing that her influence will have taken root in yet another soul. "You are no true Marine, but you could be useful for my plans, I shall return once I am finished with other matters. So do me a favor dear child and casue some chaos for me before my return"

Within seconds she disappears from my sight leaving a blinding flash of light, I rubbed my helmets eye sockets and noticed where the thrones once sat a large black coffin stood. It was big enough to fit me with m armor on inside. I sensed a foul energy from it, but with some curiosity I pried the coffins hatch open, inside was darkness, not like a shadow but a deep black void. I stepped inside noticing the void leading further in. I took another step when the box's hatch slammed shut. Within the cramped confines of the penance box, darkness engulfed the me, shrouding me in a suffocating embrace. The air grew heavy with a sense of foreboding, every breath a struggle against the weight of despair. I could hear screams and cries all around me, people calling out my name along with gun fire and explosion. Before me was a battle field, there were Space marines and guardsmen fighting against Chaos space marines, and daemons.

As the visions of horror unfolded before me, I began to crack, and panic clawed at the edges of my consciousness. Helplessness washed over me like a tidal wave as I watched people, humans fall to the hordes of daemons, their valiant efforts futile against the relentless onslaught of Chaos. With a sense of overwhelming despair, I found himself rooted to the spot where I stood, unable to move my feet or intervene as tragedy unfolded before my eyes. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a painful reminder of my inability to help. Tears welled in my eyes as I cried out to anyone to help me. But my words were lost in the din of battle, drowned out by the cacophony of screams and the clash of steel. "Brothers!" I cried, my voice raw with emotion. "Someone! Anyone! Please, I can't move!!" I gestured my hands over to my position hoping someone saw me.

Through the haze of battle, I saw my friend Leon, clad in the iconic armor of a Dark Angel, wielding his powersword with unmatched ferocity. Despite the odds stacked against him, Leon fought on with unyielding determination, his every movement a testament to his unwavering resolve. But the absence of his helmet revealed the weariness and scars etched upon his face, a stark contrast to the unrelenting fury in his eyes. I attempted to move again, this time barely able to move an inch. My heart surged with dread as I watched Leon cleave through the ranks of daemons, each blow struck with deadly precision. With a desperate urgency, I attempted to move to aid my friend, determined to stand by his side no matter the cost.

"Leon!" I called out, "Leon, What's going on?!"

Leon's head swiveled in my direction, he had a look of shock and anger. He began running to my position, I had smiled as I held my arms open to embrace my friend but the feeling of joy left as I watched him raise his sword high to the sky, I looked at him then myself and remembered I was in the armor of a traitor. "L-Leon it's me Axel!" I pleaded as I reached to take off my helmet, I stopped when the sky around us turned a sickly dark grey, behind Leon a ginormous Blackstone fortress descend unto the planet. I couldn't pull myself together to realize this was just a terrible trick by the coffin, it felt too real for that. my hear sank into despair as the planet before me erupted into flames and Leon's body disintegrated before my eyes.

"LEON!!!" I screamed. As I stumbled out of the box, disoriented and breathless, I found myself once again within the presence of the empty castle. Confusion clouded my thoughts as I struggled to make sense of what I witnessed, the memories of the death and despair still fresh in my mind.

"Leon..." My voice trailed off into the silence, the name a whispered prayer on my lips. But there was no response, no sign of my friend amidst the cold stone walls and empty halls. With a heavy sigh, I rose to my feet, my gaze lingering on the spot where the penance box had stood moments before. Had it all been a hallucination, a twisted illusion conjured by the Daemon Slannesh? Shaking off the lingering sense of unease, I pushed aside the memories of the god forsaken box and focused on the now.

Behind me, at the throne rooms entrance, just outside, I could hear the sounds of female voices get closer. I looked at the coffin then around the room, I needed to find a place to hide before whatever it was saw me. My worry was they may not be as friendly as my previous hosts and I was still recovering from the coffins torture. To my left was a stone podium where an old statue must've stood. I quickly paced over to it and climbed atop the podium, the stone began to crack the moment I set foot on it. I silently cursed as I stood on top and used the shadow to appear as a statue. It was not the worst Idea I had but definitely not the best.

As I remain concealed in plain sight, my senses heightened to the whispers of the shadows, I observe a lavender unicorn converse with her two companions, a white unicorn and an orange one wearing a...cowboy hat? Their voices carry through the chamber, mingling with the faint echoes of distant battle.
"It's here," the unicorn says, her voice carrying a note of certainty. "I can sense it, the presence of chaos magic"

Her tone gave the impression she was a scholar of some sorts, excited to explore the unknown, she walked along the left side of the throne room passing me, I grip my weapon tighter, unseen in the dimness.

The other two ponies exchange glances, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. "Are ya sure, Twilight?" one of them asks, her southern voice tinged with worry.

Twilight nods solemnly. "Yes, Apple Jack. Celestia herself sent me to investigate. We cannot afford to ignore this potential discovery" The mention of Celestia's name catches my attention, and I strain to hear more, eager to glean any information that might shed light on the situation. "We must proceed with caution," Twilight continues, her gaze sweeping the chamber as if searching for hidden dangers. "The castle may be ancient, but the magic that lingers here is potent and unpredictable, this is where we fought Nightmare Moon before remember?"

The white unicorn, Rarity covered her muzzle with a scarf she had around her neck. "Oh, darling, how could I ever forget this dreadful castle? Its like stepping into a nightmare dressed in cobwebs and decay. The dust alone could have formed its own kingdom, and don't even get me started on the smell! It was as if mustiness had taken up residence as the reigning monarch. I shudder just thinking about it!"

Twilight approached the coffin, her horn glowed illuminating the black steel box,"What is a coffin doing here?"

I listened intently, trying to piece together my next move. I had hoped they would leave quickly, and that’s when I felt it—the stone beneath my armored boot began to crack. I froze, hoping against hope that the noise would go unnoticed. The fracture spread, the sound growing louder and more pronounced.

Twilight's ears perked up. "Did you hear that?"

Before I could react, the stone base gave way entirely, shattering beneath me with a deafening crash. I stumbled, my massive form crashing to the floor, sending up a cloud of dust and debris. I could hear the ponies gasped, their eyes wide with shock and fear as they took in the sight of me—an armored giant, revealed from the shadows.

"By Celestia!" Rarity exclaimed, stepping back in alarm.

"What in tarnation?!" Applejack shouted, her stance defensive.

Twilight's horn glowed, a spell ready to be cast. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

I raised my hands, trying to convey that I meant no harm despite my intimidating appearance. "Wait! I'm not your enemy. I'm just... I'm lost"

Twilight's eyes narrowed, her horn still glowing with a strange light. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" she repeated, her voice steady but filled with suspicion. "And why do you look like a demon from Tartarus?"

I took a deep breath, my voice coming out amplified by the helmet's vox speakers. "My name is Axel. I don't know how I got here. One moment, I was in my world talking to a homeless guy, and the next, I found myself here, in this armor"

The three ponies exchanged wary glances. Twilight's magical aura flickered, but she didn't lower her guard. "Your world? Where are you from?"

"I'm from a place very different from this," I explained. "A place where horses don't know how to talk for one. But I'm not here to bring harm. I just want to find a way back home"

Applejack's eyes softened slightly, but she remained cautious. "How do we know we can trust ya?"

I hesitated, unsure how to convey my sincerity. "I... I don't know how to prove it. But I have no reason to harm any of you. I admit hiding in the shadows a moment ago may not be a good first impression, I worried you may have been something else"

Twilight's gaze shifted, and she seemed to be pondering something. Her eyes flicked toward a large, ancient structure partially visible through the crumbling walls of the castle. "There's something else," she said, her voice quieter but no less intense. "We found a large coffin. It sit's just over where the thrones of the princess's once sat. Do you know anything about that?"

I followed her gaze, my heart sinking as I knew what she was referring to. The penance coffin—a grim relic from my world, used to contain the most dangerous of beings. If it was here, then things were even more complicated than I thought.
"Yes, I know what that is," I admitted. "It's called a penance coffin. In my world, it's used to imprison those deemed irredeemable, some use it to punish, others as a way train their minds against the horrors of war"

Twilight's eyes softened slightly, though her horn remained aglow. "Alright, Axel. If what you're saying is true, we need to find out what's going on. And I have many questions for you"