=== Nira ===
A month had passed since the terrible battle above Abeloth's world, and although the galaxy had been saved from annihilation, victory carried none of the triumph that songs so often promised.
Across the stars, memorials were held upon a thousand worlds, but none carried quite the same weight as the one upon Naboo.
The city of Theed had draped itself in mourning, every banner lowered to half height, every fountain stilled, every balcony decorated with white flowers and black ribbons that fluttered gently beneath the warm nighttime breeze.
Citizens lined every street in complete silence, stretching farther than the eye could see, while members of the Imperium stood shoulder to shoulder with Naboo's royal guards, Mandalorian warriors, senators, and ordinary civilians. For perhaps the first time in history, people from entirely different civilizations stood together not as allies, but simply as mourners who had all lost something precious.
At the head of the procession walked Nira. Her black robes flowed softly behind her with every step, her hood lowered to reveal her pale skin and the intricate black markings that climbed across her face and neck.
Resting peacefully within her arms was Luke, bundled carefully beneath a cream-colored blanket as the infant slept through the funeral, blissfully unaware of the burden that history had already placed upon his and his sister's tiny shoulders.
Beside her walked Sienn, carrying Leia with the same careful tenderness, occasionally smiling sadly as the little girl reached curiously toward the sunlight dying through the towering buildings of Theed.
Ahead of them floated two beautifully crafted coffins adorned with Naboo's royal crest. One belonged to Padmé Amidala, Queen, Senator, and mother.
The other belonged to Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Knight, fallen Sith Lord, and at the very end, a father who had rediscovered himself before drawing his final breath.
Behind those two came three more coffins, each fashioned from black adamantium and engraved with the insignias of the Ultramarines, Salamanders, and Black Templars. Though each one was empty, every soul present knew exactly who they represented.
The people of Theed watched the procession in complete silence as it passed through the marble streets that Maximus himself had once defended years before.
Elderly men removed their hats and bowed their heads. Mothers held their children close, whispering stories of the giant blue warrior who had stood against impossible odds so that Naboo might live.
Veterans who had survived the invasion stood ramrod straight, saluting the empty Ultramarines coffin with tears openly running down weathered faces.
Others remembered the towering Salamander who had freed them from captivity while carrying wounded civilians to safety as fire rained from the heavens.
Mandalorians lowered their helmets in respect toward the coffin bearing the Black Templars' cross, remembering the relentless knight who had stood before entire armies without ever once taking a backward step.
Eventually the great procession climbed the final steps leading toward the Royal Palace gardens, where Naboo's ancient mausoleums overlooked rolling hills and shimmering lakes that reflected the rising moon.
White blossoms drifted lazily through the air, carried by the breeze until they settled upon the polished stone pathways.
Waiting there were hundreds upon hundreds of Space Marines, standing in perfectly ranks that stretched across the gardens like living statues.
Ultramarines in their brilliant blue stood beside Salamanders clad in emerald green. Imperial fists stood beside Blood Angels and Dark Angels. Warriors from dozens of Chapters stood together without distinction, every helm removed, every banner hanging still.
Vulkan, having revived from being obliterated, stood next to Sanguinius, who now had a cover over one eye, though his wings had been saved. They waited in complete silence, neither Primarch speaking as the coffins finally came to rest before the mausoleums built to honor the fallen.
Padmé and Anakin were laid first. Naboo's honor guard slowly carried their coffins into the beautifully crafted mausoleum prepared for the royal family, its white stone walls decorated with flowering vines and statues depicting the long history of Naboo's rulers.
Nira stood motionless as she watched them disappear inside together, husband and wife finally reunited after so much suffering had torn them apart.
Her thoughts drifted unwillingly back to the narrow corridor aboard the SunEater, where Anakin had rested in her lap during the final moments of his life. She could still hear his trembling voice begging her not to let the Imperium shape Luke and Leia into weapons of endless war. She could still feel the weak grip of his hand around hers. She could still remember the tears that had fallen from his restored blue eyes as hatred finally abandoned him. It had been the voice of the friend she had once loved like a brother.
When Padmé and Anakin had been laid to rest, every eye shifted toward the second mausoleum. Unlike the first, this tomb bore no royal symbols. Instead, an enormous stone eagle with two heads overlooked its entrance, beneath which had been carved a single inscription.
"They knew only duty. They asked for no reward."
Vulkan stepped forward without a word. The Primarch approached the Salamanders coffin first, resting both enormous hands upon it before lifting it effortlessly into his arms. Yet despite his impossible strength, he carried it with the tenderness of a father holding a sleeping child.
His expression remained calm as he crossed the threshold into the dimly lit tomb, but once inside, away from most eyes, his composure finally cracked. He lowered Raxor's coffin onto the prepared stone bier with care before kneeling beside it, one massive hand coming to rest upon the lid as he bowed his head.
"My son," Vulkan whispered. "You carried our flame farther than I ever dreamed possible. I am… so proud of you."
For several long moments he remained there without moving, a single tear rolling slowly down his weathered cheek before falling silently onto the black coffin below. He closed his eyes briefly, gathered himself, then rose once more and returned outside.
Vulkan lifted the Ultramarines coffin with the same reverence before carrying it inside. He paused beside Raxor's resting place, carefully setting Maximus beside him.
"You were never my son," Vulkan murmured softly, "but you honored me as though you were. The courage you carried into battle would have made Guilliman proud."
He rested his hand against the coffin for only a heartbeat before standing once again.
Finally came Sebastian. Vulkan lifted the final coffin into his arms and carried it into the mausoleum, placing it beside Maximus until all three rested together at last.
"You three walked different paths," the Primarch said quietly, looking across the coffins. "One sought honor. One carried compassion. One knew only unwavering faith. Yet each of you reached the same destination, and each of you died as true sons of the Emperor."
He straightened to his full height before saluting the three coffins, his fist pressed firmly against his chest.
"Rest now."
When Vulkan emerged from the mausoleum, Sanguinius was waiting for him. The Angel said nothing. Instead, he placed a hand upon his brother's shoulder, and together they watched as the immense stone doors slowly began to close. The grinding of the stone echoed across the gardens until, with a final resounding boom, the mausoleum sealed itself. Hundreds of Space Marines simultaneously struck their armored fists against their breastplates, the thunderous sound rolling across the valley like distant thunder before absolute silence returned.
Nira remained standing before Padmé and Anakin's resting place long after everyone else had lowered their heads. Luke stirred slightly within her arms, tiny fingers curling instinctively around a fold of her robe, while Leia quietly yawned from Sienn's embrace. Looking down at the two children, Nira felt Anakin's final request echo through her heart once more.
"Please don't let the Imperium turn them into killing machines. Don't let them be raised inside their war machine."
She slowly pulled Luke closer against her chest before looking over toward Leia, meeting Sienn's eyes for only a moment. Then she looked back toward the two mausoleums standing side by side beneath the moon. One held two people whose love had changed the galaxy. The other held the memory of three warriors whose sacrifice had saved it.
"I promise," she whispered so softly that only the wind could carry the words. "You have my word, Anakin. They will choose their own futures, not the ones others would force upon them. Whatever it costs me... I will keep them safe."
She tightened her embrace around Luke as tears quietly filled her emerald eyes, but this time they were not tears born solely from grief. Beneath the crushing weight of loss, beneath the silence of the dead and the sorrow of the living, a new purpose had taken root.
She stepped quietly from Padmé and Anakin's mausoleum, the heavy stone doors closing behind her with a muted thud that echoed through the royal gardens.
Neither woman spoke. They simply walked together across the white marble path until they reached Atheon, who had not moved from his post since the funeral had begun.
The gardens had fallen into a profound silence. Thousands upon thousands of people filled the terraces surrounding the mausoleums, stretching from the palace steps all the way down the gently sloping hills overlooking Theed.
Vulkan remained silent for several long moments, and when he finally spoke, his deep voice carried effortlessly across the gardens without the aid of amplifiers, every word rich with both strength and sorrow.
"Today..."
He paused, looking first toward the mausoleum behind him before turning his gaze back to those assembled.
"Today, we bury heroes of the Imperium."
"We do not stand here to celebrate victory, for victory purchased with sacrifice is never cause for celebration alone. We stand here because brave souls, those of Astartes, soldiers, pilots, healers, laborers, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, gave everything they possessed so that others might inherit tomorrow. Some wore power armor. Some carried blasters. Some held nothing more than hope in their hearts. Yet every one of them faced the darkness when it came for this galaxy."
Vulkan turned slightly, now facing the sea of armored giants that filled the gardens.
"And behind me rest three warriors whose bodies were denied to us by war, yet whose memory shall never fade."
"Captain Maximus of the Ultramarines."
A ripple passed through the Ultramarines ranks as hundreds of blue-armored warriors struck clenched fists against their breastplates.
"Brother Raxor of the Salamanders."
The emerald-armored legion answered with the same thunderous salute.
"Brother Sebastian of the Black Templars."
This time the sound that answered was almost deafening as every other chapter slammed their fists against ceramite in place of their missing Black Templar cousins.
Vulkan allowed the echoes to fade before continuing.
"They were not alone. They stood beside thousands whose names history may never record. Every person who held the line knowing death was certain. Every pilot who never returned from the void. Every medic who chose another's life over their own. Every citizen who refused to abandon those beside them. Each one mattered."
The Primarch slowly removed one gauntlet, revealing the scarred flesh of his hand as he placed it over his heart.
"In the name of the Emperor of Mankind, I swear before you all that I shall never forget them. I have lived for over ten thousand years. I have watched empires rise and crumble into dust. I have buried brothers whose names shook the stars themselves. Yet I tell you now that the measure of a civilization is not only found in the strength of its armies, but also in those who sacrifice everything for one more inch of ground."
His gaze swept across every Chapter present.
"My sons."
Hundreds of Salamanders instinctively straightened.
"My nephews."
Now every Astartes stood even taller.
"You have honored your gene-fathers beyond measure. You fought not for conquest, nor for glory, but for humanity itself. When my brothers gather once again beneath the Emperor's banner, I shall speak to each of them. I shall tell Roboute Guilliman how his son Maximus gave everything without hesitation. I shall tell Rogal Dorn that Sebastian's faith never faltered, even before death itself. I shall tell Lion El'Jonson, Jaghatai Khan, Leman Russ, and every one of my brothers the names of the sons who stood their ground when all seemed lost."
His voice softened, carrying a warmth that only Vulkan seemed capable of possessing.
"And I shall tell you this."
He smiled sadly.
"They would be proud of each of you."
Across the assembled Chapters, many veterans lowered their heads. Even Space Marines, engineered to suppress fear and grief, found themselves unable to completely hide the emotions stirring within them. Some silently recited the names of fallen brothers while others simply stood in respectful silence, remembering shared battles, old laughter, and comrades whose voices would never again answer their call.
Vulkan took one final look over the gathered multitude.
"You have carried the burden of war long enough."
His words came not as an order from a Primarch, but as compassion from a father.
"For the next day, mourn your brothers. Mourn your families. Remember them, speak their names, tell their stories. Let no sacrifice vanish into silence."
He drew himself up to his full, awe-inspiring height.
"You are dismissed."
No one moved immediately.
For nearly a full minute, the crowd remained exactly where they stood, then, slowly, the formations began to break apart. Chapters gathered around their own banners as battle-brothers quietly embraced one another or rested armored hands upon one another's shoulders. Naboo families reunited, some walking toward the mausoleums to leave flowers, others remaining where they stood to pray. Mandalorians removed their helmets in silent respect before departing without a word.
Nira remained beside Atheon, Luke sleeping peacefully in her arms as Leia quietly cooed against Sienn's shoulder. She watched the mourners disperse beneath the warm Naboo moon and found herself thinking that perhaps this was what victory truly looked like. It wasn't cheering crowds or triumphant celebrations, but survivors remembering those who had paid the price for peace.
===
Nira knelt beside an open satchel, carefully placing Luke's blankets beside Leia's clothing before adding medical supplies, preserved food, and the few personal belongings Padmé had left behind.
Across the room, Sienn cradled both infants against her chest, gently rocking them as they slept without any understanding of what was going on. Every few moments she looked nervously toward the door, listening for footsteps that never came, while Nira continued packing with an urgency she had rarely shown in battle.
She had faced Sith Lords, daemons, Primarchs, and gods without flinching, yet sneaking two sleeping children away from the Imperium left her heart pounding harder than any battlefield ever had.
"We're almost ready," Nira whispered, tightening the final strap on the bag before slinging it over her shoulder.
Sienn looked down at the twins before raising worried eyes toward her.
Without another word Nira crossed the room, resting one hand upon the door controls before slowly opening them.
Standing directly outside was Atheon.
The towering Custodian had not moved from his post. His guardian spear stood planted before him, both armored hands resting calmly atop its haft as his golden armor gleamed softly beneath the corridor lights.
His expression remained hidden beneath his helmet, yet the silence between them spoke louder than any accusation could have. One glance at the travel bags, one glance at Sienn holding the children, one glance at Nira's determined expression, and he already knew.
His deep voice finally broke the silence.
"Where are you going?"
Nira instinctively stepped between the Custodian and Sienn, shielding the woman and the twins behind her as emerald light slowly began to glow within her eyes. The air around them stirred gently as the Force and Warp answered her emotions, causing loose papers and dust to drift through the room.
"I am taking them away."
Atheon did not so much as tighten his grip upon his spear.
Several long seconds passed between them before Nira spoke again, her voice remaining steady despite the overwhelming presence of the Emperor's personal guardian.
"You can stop us if you choose, you are strong enough." She said to the silent Custodes
"But before you decide..." she continued, "...answer me one question."
The Custodian met her gaze.
"Where does your loyalty truly lie? With the Imperium..." she asked quietly, "...or with the Emperor?"
His expression did not change. "My loyalty has always belonged to the Master of Mankind."
Nira nodded slowly before continuing. "Then you already know about our agreement."
The Custodian remained silent.
"The Emperor promised me freedom within this galaxy. In return I would help restore Sanguinius and aid him however I was able. You know that."
"I do."
Nira stepped closer.
"Then I'm changing the bargain."
For the first time Atheon's eyes narrowed slightly at her, watching as she lifted a hand towards him. He allowed it.
"I no longer offer to heal one Primarch."
She slowly reached out, resting two fingers gently against the side of his golden helmet.
"I offer something far greater."
The Force flowed between them.
Entire futures unfolded before the Custodian's mind as she showed him what she intended.
When the connection finally broke, the giant stood utterly still.
"Can you truly accomplish this?" he asked quietly.
Nira nodded without hesitation.
"I don't know how long it will take, but with enough time... enough patience... enough hope..."
She smiled sadly. "...yes. I believe I can do this."
The Custodian remained motionless for several more heartbeats before lifting his guardian spear from the floor, and without another word, he stepped aside.
"The Emperor ordered me to protect the children."
His voice remained calm.
"I find... that allowing them to leave fulfills that order better than preventing it."
Relief flooded Nira and Sienn. "Thank you."
"There is no need," Atheon replied before turning to walk beside them. "We should leave before others discover your absence."
Together they moved silently through the moonlit streets of Theed, avoiding patrols and taking forgotten walkways toward one of the many military hangars that lined the outskirts of the city. The only sounds came from the distant hum of generators, the soft breathing of the sleeping infants, and the steady footsteps of the Custodian walking beside them.
Before long the outline of a transport emerged from the darkness, its engines already warmed and prepared for departure exactly as Nira had arranged.
Then a familiar voice emerged from the shadows. "I wondered how long it would take before you tried." Sanguinius stepped into the pale moonlight.
The great Angel stood with his wings folded behind him, neither armed for battle nor surrounded by guards. His expression carried no anger, only quiet sorrow as his single golden eye settled first upon Nira, then upon Sienn, before finally lingering on the sleeping twins.
Nira stopped walking.
"I didn't want you to find out like this."
"I suspected the moment I saw the way you looked at them today." The Primarch said as his eye drifted toward the ship.
"So...you truly mean to leave."
"I do."
"Why?"
Nira swallowed, looking at this being who had been her closest companion for many years.
"Because this is the only way they'll ever have a chance to be children."
"The Imperium would protect them." Sanguinius answered.
"No it wouldn't." Nira snapped back.
"The Emperor—"
"They are fragments of the Emperor's own soul." Nira interrupted him. "The Inquisition would never allow them to grow up here. They would surround them with warriors, priests and scholars until every choice they ever made served the Imperium's interests instead of their own."
Sanguinius lowered his eye. "They would have four Primarchs protecting them. Myself, Vulkan, Guilliman, and Johnson."
"And eventually..." Nira answered softly, "...someone would convince those Primarchs that humanity needed them to fight."
The Angel said nothing as she stepped closer to him. "You know I'm right."
After several moments he looked toward Atheon.
"And you?"
The Custodian inclined his head before answering. "I will accompany them."
Sanguinius looked almost amused as he stared at the golden Warrior.
"You intend to travel the galaxy dressed like that?"
Without speaking, Atheon reached for the clasps securing his magnificent auramite armor. One by one the immense golden plates came free.
Piece after piece was carefully laid upon the hangar floor as the Custodian changed until, standing before the Primarch, remained not the towering golden guardian of Terra but simply a broad-shouldered ten foot tall man wearing nothing but plain travel clothing beneath where the legendary armor had rested.
"I cannot hide while wearing my armor." He said, looking toward the gleaming suit.
"Will you safeguard it until I return?"
Sanguinius stared at the armor for several moments before smiling faintly.
"I never imagined a Custodes would abandon their armor." The Primarch said.
Atheon looked from Sanguinius down to the woman standing at his side. "If Nira fulfills what she has shown me..." Atheon replied, "...then it is a price worth paying."
The Primarch slowly nodded. "I shall guard it myself."
His gaze returned to Nira. "Where will you go?"
She hesitated only briefly before answering. "I'll search for the survivors of the Jedi Order. And then I'll build something better."
Silence settled over the hangar until finally Sanguinius stepped aside.
"I won't stop you."
Nira blinked.
"You won't?"
He smiled sadly. "No. But im sad to see you go."
Sienn quietly boarded the transport while Atheon carried the last of their supplies inside, leaving Nira standing alone with the Angel beneath the quiet Naboo sky. She looked at him for a long moment before suddenly breaking into a run.
Sanguinius barely had time to react before she threw her arms around his neck. The towering Primarch smiled warmly, lowering himself onto one knee so he could embrace her properly.
"Be safe," he whispered as she buried her face against his shoulder.
"I'm going to miss you."
"And I you."
"I'll see you again."
"I know."
She finally pulled away, wiping her face before smiling one last time.
"Take care of them."
Sanguinius glanced toward the mausoleums in the distance where so many heroes now rested.
"I always will."
Nira boarded the transport, turning to face him one last time before the boarding ramp slowly closed.
Moments later the engines roared to life, lifting the ship gently from the hangar floor before it ascended into the peaceful Naboo night. Sanguinius remained exactly where he stood, one hand resting upon Atheon's abandoned armor as he watched the vessel become a distant point of light among the countless stars overhead. Though sadness weighed heavily upon his heart, another emotion lingered beneath it.
Hope.
===
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