Tales from Albian - Issue Eight

Tales from Albian

Chaos Chosen Warriors - The Psychotic

 

The Unit

 

Issue eight is a contiunation of some short stories about the unit of Chaos Chosen Warriors following Anthrax. The first set are based loosely upon characters already identified in the world of Warhammer. These are unique stories I had made up and then refined the editing of, just tying into what already exists in the Warhammer readings from codex’s or White Dwarf’s over the years.

 

The second set of short stories or backgrounds are entirely made up from scratch but with the same set of themes as the first set. Hope you enjoy.

 

Let’s start with three Forgeworld Fimir acting as unit fillers: Cy; Xy The Gatekeepers with Phxy, King of Albian:

Cy

Anthrax's initial ventures into the northern empire were marked by deep frustration. Each raid met with unyielding resistance from the empire's marshals, whose seasoned strategies forced Anthrax to retreat into the desolate wastes. Though these setbacks stung, they only fueled his determination to overcome his adversaries and achieve dominance.

In search of strength and answers, Anthrax journeyed to the isle of Albian, a mysterious land steeped in ancient rituals. It was said that those who performed rites to the everchosen could gain extraordinary power. Immersing himself in these sacred ceremonies, Anthrax encountered the Fimir—a formidable and enigmatic race.

The first of the Fimir was Anthrax encountered was Cy, a towering figure with a sharp mind and an air of quiet intensity. Cy spoke sparingly, yet his gaze seemed to pierce through any façade, carrying the weight of a thousand storms. His role as a strategist made him an invaluable ally, as he meticulously observed and calculated every move with precision.

By contrast, Xy, another of the Fimir bodyguards, was fiery and outspoken. Brash and quick-witted, Xy relished combat, viewing it as both a craft and a path to glory. Despite his impulsive nature, he carried a deep sense of honor, thriving on challenges that pushed him to his limits.

Xy

Then there was Phxy, the King of the Fimir in Albian. Phxy exuded a commanding presence, his towering frame and battle-worn scars reflecting a life of leadership and unyielding strength. When Anthrax sought his allegiance, Phxy issued a challenge of single combat. Their duel was fierce and unrelenting, but in the end, Anthrax emerged victorious. This victory earned him not only Phxy’s respect but also his loyalty, a bond that would shape the course of his journey.

King Phxy

With Phxy’s aid, Anthrax gained access to the mysts of the warp, an arcane shroud that cloaked him and his vanguard from the prying eyes of the empire. This mystical veil allowed Anthrax to infiltrate the empire undetected, turning the tide of his campaign. Meanwhile, Cy and Xy each safeguarded keys to a mysterious portal. Cy, the tactician, recognized the portal as a means of evasion and strategy, while Xy saw it as an opportunity to push forward and seize victory through daring maneuvers.

United by these alliances and empowered by newfound tools, Anthrax pressed forward, his resolve unshaken. His path was now clear: the northern empire would no longer stand as an insurmountable obstacle, but as a conquest waiting to be claimed. 

Prince Ograx on the left

Prince Ograx the Great:

So it is told, that it was Prince Ograx who lifted the immense claw of Krakanrok the Black, enabling Archaon to claim the Slayer of Kings. Yet his loyalty was repaid with betrayal—Archaon used the cursed sword to slay Ograx, feeding the daemon blade with his princely blood to cement its allegiance.

But Chaos is never done with its chosen. Ograx's soul was cast into the Warp, where it lingered in torment.

When Anthrax rose to power in the Northern Wastes, Ograx saw in him a reflection of his former master—an unstoppable force destined to reshape the world. Ograx pledged himself to Anthrax, not out of loyalty, but as a means to achieve his own revenge and reclaim the glory he believed was stolen from him. Now, as a general in Anthrax’s legion, Ograx leads his warherds with unbridled fury, a living testament to the price of ambition and the enduring pull of Chaos.

Krull

Krull the Conqueror:

Krull was once a warlord of the eastern steppes, a man who ruled through sheer strength and cunning. His conquests were vast, but his ambition blinded him to the treachery growing within his own ranks. Betrayed by his closest lieutenants, Krull’s armies were shattered, and he was cast out into the wilderness to die.

But Krull did not die. Wandering the desolate lands, he stumbled upon an ancient battlefield, littered with the remnants of a war long forgotten. There, among the bones of giants, he found a colossal, blackened axe that whispered promises of vengeance and glory. The moment Krull gripped the weapon, his wounds healed, his strength returned, and the whispers of Chaos filled his mind.

When Anthrax crossed the steppes, Krull was leading a horde of savage marauders, his cursed axe carving a bloody path through imperial forces. Impressed by Krull’s resilience and his thirst for conquest, Anthrax offered him the chance to rule again—not as a lone warlord, but as a general in his dark crusade. Krull accepted, his axe raised high, ready to carve out a new empire in the name of Chaos.

Krom - Centre

Vardek Krom:

Vardek Krom was once a champion of Chaos under the banner of Archaon, the Everchosen. Known as "The Storm Reaver" or simply "Krom", led devastating raids across the empire’s lands, his mastery of both strategy and savagery earning him a feared reputation. But when the Everchosen ascended to godhood, Krom found himself adrift, his purpose shattered.

Lost and aimless, Krom wandered the wastes, challenging any who crossed his path in search of a new master. His wanderings brought him to Anthrax, whose growing power had begun to rival that of Archaon himself. The two warriors clashed, their battle shaking the very ground beneath them. Though Krom was defeated, Anthrax spared his life, seeing the potential in the Storm Reaver’s experience and might.

Krom, humbled but determined, swore loyalty to Anthrax, vowing to carve a new path of conquest under his banner. Now, Vardek Krom serves as one of Anthrax’s most trusted lieutenants, leading raids with the same ruthless efficiency that once served the Everchosen.

Dravik Vayne: 

Dravik Vayne was a Dark Elf pirate who sailed the frozen seas of the north, an elf driven by greed and ambition. His crew was loyal, bound to him by both fear and the servitude. But Dravik’s greed led him to raid a cursed island, where he and his men unearthed a treasure that should never have been touched.

The treasure was a chest of warpstone, its chaotic energy seeping into the crew and driving them mad. Dravik alone retained his mind, but even he was changed, his flesh blackened and his eyes glowing with an unnatural light. He became a creature of Chaos, his ship now a vessel of terror that haunted the northern coasts.

When Anthrax heard tales of the ghostly pirate ship, when he first joined the ranks of his masters army. Having sought out Dravik first after Archaon ascent, Anthrax renewed his masters deal, slaves in return his cursed ship serving as the navy of Anthrax’s army, spreading terror across the seas.

Djavorak Raheine: 

Djavorak Raheine was a brilliant strategist and general of the empire, known for his calculated mind and impeccable tactics. Yet his devotion to the empire was his undoing. After a failed campaign, the emperor blamed Djavorak for the loss, despite the general’s protests. Stripped of his rank and cast out in disgrace, Djavorak became embittered, his loyalty shattered.

It was in his exile that Chaos found him. The voices of the dark gods whispered to him, offering vengeance against those who had wronged him. Djavorak embraced the whispers, his tactical mind now turned to sowing destruction and disorder.

When Anthrax sought a commander to lead his armies, he found Djavorak orchestrating a devastating ambush against imperial forces. Recognizing the general’s brilliance, Anthrax offered him a position of command. Djavorak accepted, his tactical genius now serving the warlord’s campaign of chaos.

Lenk Centre

High Priest Surtha Lenk:

Surtha Lenk was the revered high priest of the Serpent Cult, a shadowy sect that thrived in the endless desert plains. His people worshipped the Great Snake, an ancient Chaos entity that slithered through the sands of time itself. Surtha led his followers with unmatched fervor, presiding over blood-soaked rituals meant to summon the Great Snake to the mortal plane.

For years, Surtha’s cult grew in power and influence, the desert plains becoming a labyrinth of forbidden temples and serpentine altars. But the empire, fearing the spread of his influence, launched a ruthless crusade to crush the cult. Imperial forces burned the temples, slaughtered the worshippers, and left Surtha buried under the ruins of his sacred sanctuary.

Yet Surtha did not die. Deep beneath the sands, the Great Snake answered his cries for vengeance, infusing him with its venomous essence. Reborn as a living avatar of the serpent god, Surtha emerged from the ruins with a body twisted into a monstrous form—his limbs serpentine and his blood turned to poison. His voice carried the hissing whispers of Chaos, drawing new followers to his side.

When Anthrax’s armies swept through the desert plains, Surtha pledged his allegiance to the warlord, seeing in him a kindred spirit who sought to destroy the empire. Now, as a general in Anthrax’s legion, Surtha Lenk spreads the venom of Chaos across the empire, his sermons as deadly as the fangs he bears.

Beastspawn

Here starts the second set, Beastspawn the Desirable:

Beastspawn was a name whispered in dread and awe, for no mortal knew their true origins. Once a mortal of exceptional beauty, Beastspawn's charm and allure were unmatched, capable of ensnaring the hearts of kings and queens alike. But beauty is a double-edged blade, and envy is its ever-present shadow. Betrayed by those who coveted their grace, Beastspawn was cast into the wilds, left to perish in the embrace of the wastes.

It was there that they encountered a wandering creature of Chaos, a being both grotesque and seductive. This entity offered Beastspawn a twisted gift—a beauty so haunting it would inspire both longing and terror. Beastspawn accepted, their form transforming into an otherworldly amalgam of perfection and monstrosity. Their gaze could drive armies to madness, and their voice could compel the most loyal to betray their oaths.

When Anthrax crossed their path, Beastspawn was leading a throng of enthralled followers, each willing to die for their twisted idol. Anthrax, immune to their charms, offered a new purpose: to bring the empire to its knees, not through brute force, but by sowing chaos and discord from within. Beastspawn joined his legion, their dark allure becoming both a weapon and a curse.

Goldar

Goldar Macbeth:

Goldar Macbeth was once a knight of great renown, a paragon of honor and chivalry who fought valiantly to defend the empire's borders. But his faith in justice was shattered during a campaign in the south, where political betrayal cost the lives of his men. Disillusioned and haunted by their deaths, Goldar renounced his vows and wandered the lands as a fallen knight.

During his aimless travels, Goldar discovered an ancient, rusted blade buried in the ruins of an old battlefield. The moment he grasped the hilt, visions of glory and power flooded his mind, whispered by a voice that called itself the Whispering Blade. Though the weapon was cursed, Goldar felt a renewed sense of purpose—a burning desire to undo the empire that had betrayed him.

It was only a matter of time before Anthrax found him, a lone knight carving a path of destruction and despair through imperial lands. Recognizing the fury and strength in Goldar’s heart, Anthrax invited him to wield his cursed blade not in solitude, but as a champion of Chaos. Goldar accepted, his honor long replaced by his thirst for vengeance.

Clast, Headsmann & Manx

Clast, Keymaster of Hades:

Clast was a locksmith in a once-prosperous imperial city, celebrated for his craftsmanship. But his pride became his undoing when he was falsely accused of aiding a thief who had stolen from a nobleman. Stripped of his position and exiled, Clast fled into the depths of the underworld, where he found himself at the mercy of Chaos cultists who worshipped Hades, the Lord of Keys.

The cultists saw potential in Clast and tasked him with opening a great vault said to hold the secrets of immortality. With desperation and precision, he succeeded, but what lay inside was no treasure—it was a prison. When the vault was opened, Clast unleashed the ancient souls that had been trapped within, and they bound themselves to him, whispering forbidden knowledge into his mind.

It was in the wastes that Anthrax discovered Clast, a broken man carrying an assortment of strange, unearthly keys and surrounded by spectral figures. Anthrax saw the value in Clast’s newfound powers and promised him revenge on the empire that had betrayed him. Clast, now the Keymaster of Hades, joined the warlord’s legion, his keys unlocking doors to realms that should never have been opened.

Hakan Headsmann:

Hakan was once the executioner of a thriving imperial city, a man who carried out justice without question. Over the years, his axe had severed countless lives, and though his heart was hardened, he took solace in the belief that his actions served the greater good. That belief was shattered when he was ordered to execute his own family, accused of treason by the corrupt nobles he served.

Hakan carried out the sentence, but the act broke him. Wracked with guilt and fury, he turned his back on the empire and fled into the wilderness, clutching his bloodstained axe. There, he encountered a Chaos altar, where whispers promised him vengeance and power. Desperate, Hakan accepted, and his axe became a cursed weapon, feeding on the fear and despair of those he struck down.

It was with this cursed blade that Anthrax found him, a shadowy figure whose very presence stilled the winds. Anthrax saw the executioner’s pain and offered him a new cause: to bring down the empire that had betrayed him. Hakan swore loyalty, his axe thirsting for the blood of those who had wronged him.

Manx the Mad:

Manx was a brilliant inventor and alchemist, celebrated for his ingenious contraptions and unorthodox methods. But his obsession with discovery led him to dangerous experiments, delving into forbidden realms of magic and science. One such experiment backfired catastrophically, destroying his workshop and leaving his mind fractured and unstable.

Cast out by society as a dangerous madman, Manx wandered the land, cobbling together bizarre and terrifying inventions from scrap and debris. His creations, fueled by both genius and madness, unleashed chaos wherever he went. He found solace only in the destructive power of his machines, which he saw as an extension of his own shattered psyche.

Anthrax encountered Manx amidst the ruins of a village torn apart by mechanical monstrosities. Recognizing the potential in Manx’s unhinged brilliance, Anthrax offered him the resources and freedom to create without restraint. Manx joined the warlord’s ranks, his mad inventions sowing terror across the empire.

Parr of Pantheon:

Parr was a devout priest serving the Pantheon of imperial gods, revered for his unwavering faith and eloquent sermons. But his faith was tested when a plague swept through his parish, claiming the lives of those he had sworn to protect. The gods he prayed to offered no solace, and Parr’s prayers fell on deaf ears.

In his despair, Parr turned to the forbidden texts hidden within the catacombs beneath his temple. These texts spoke of darker gods who answered prayers with action, albeit at a cost. Desperate to save his flock, Parr called upon these entities, but their response was cruel. The plague lifted, but Parr’s body and soul were twisted, marked forever as a servant of Chaos.

When Anthrax passed through the remnants of Parr’s once-thriving parish, he found the priest preaching to an audience of the damned. Impressed by Parr’s charisma and the dark power he wielded, Anthrax welcomed him as a prophet for Chaos. Parr, now fully devoted to his new faith, spread Anthrax’s gospel, turning the devout to darkness.

Boris

Boris the Black:

Boris was once a feared and cunning slaver who roamed the scorching deserts of the south, his name whispered in both dread and awe. Known as “The Black” for his unrelenting cruelty, he thrived by capturing and selling lives to the highest bidder, fueling the dark trade that kept the empire’s borders teetering on the edge of chaos. His caravans cut through the unforgiving sands like silent predators, taking anything—or anyone—who crossed their path.

But Boris’s ambition became his undoing when he crossed paths with a rival cartel, a pact of slavers that ruled the southern trade with an iron fist. Betrayed and outnumbered, Boris’s caravan was decimated, and he was cast out into the desert, left for dead under the unyielding sun. Wracked with thirst and vengeance, Boris stumbled upon an ancient burial site, where colossal obsidian statues towered over the sands. There, he uncovered a blackened chain said to belong to a forgotten god of slavery, and as his hands touched the cursed links, they whispered promises of power.

When Anthrax’s forces swept through the southern deserts, they found Boris dragging prisoners chained to his cursed links, their souls bound in torment. Anthrax, impressed by Boris’s resourcefulness and ruthlessness, offered him the chance to wield his skills on a grander scale. Boris, driven by revenge and the dark power of the chain, swore fealty to the warlord. In Anthrax’s service, Boris became both a captor and a conqueror, ensuring no enemy could escape Chaos’s grasp.

Marek Manslayer:

Marek was once a soldier in the empire’s legions, a man of loyalty and discipline who fought for his homeland with unyielding resolve. But his comrades began to notice a darkness growing within him—a terrifying thrill he took in the carnage of battle. Marek’s bloodlust reached its peak during a brutal campaign, where he slew both enemy soldiers and his own fallen comrades, leaving no survivor behind to question his motives.

Branded a traitor and sentenced to death, Marek escaped into the wilds, where Chaos found him. A vision of an endless battlefield consumed his mind, and he began to hear the whispers of Khorne, the Blood god, promising him eternal war and slaughter. In exchange for his loyalty, Marek received a cursed blade that could siphon the life force of those it struck, granting him unholy strength.

It was during a massacre of imperial scouts that Anthrax discovered Marek, a lone figure standing atop a mound of bodies. Seeing the raw power and savagery in Marek, Anthrax offered him the chance to channel his bloodlust against a greater enemy. Marek, now known as the Manslayer, eagerly accepted, serving as the enforcer of Anthrax’s will.

Cuth

Cuth Wolfson:

Cuth was a simple woodsman who lived on the fringes of the empire, content to live off the land with his loyal pack of hunting dogs. But his life changed forever when imperial soldiers accused him of poaching on noble lands. In their rage, they slaughtered his dogs before his eyes and burned his cabin to the ground, leaving him with nothing.

Broken and vengeful, Cuth fled deep into the forest, where he encountered a monstrous wolf-beast that exuded the raw power of Chaos. The creature bit him, and Cuth expected to die of the wound. Instead, he found himself changing, his senses sharpening and his strength growing. He became a feral hybrid of man and beast, and the spirits of his slain dogs returned to him as spectral wolves that obeyed his every command.

When Anthrax came to the forests, he found Cuth and his ghostly pack hunting imperial patrols with savage precision. Anthrax saw the bond between Cuth and his spectral wolves and recruited him as a tracker and scout. Cuth, now called Wolfson, swore to hunt the empire’s soldiers like they had once hunted him.

Asker Fryer:

Asker Fryer was a healer and herbalist, respected in his village for his knowledge of medicine and his selfless dedication to the sick and injured. But when a mysterious illness swept through the region, Asker became desperate to save his people. In his frantic search for a cure, he turned to forbidden texts and concocted an elixir drawn from the essence of Chaos.

The elixir worked—but at a horrifying cost. Those who consumed it were healed, but they became twisted and deformed, their minds and bodies irrevocably altered. Asker’s secret was discovered, and the villagers turned on him, driving him into the wastes. The elixir that had ruined his life became his only companion, and he began to use it on himself, gaining unnatural longevity and strength but losing his humanity.

When Anthrax found Asker, the healer was surrounded by twisted, chaotic creations he had made using the elixir. Anthrax recognized his genius and offered him a place among his followers, where his skills could be honed without judgment. Asker joined the warlord, creating dark potions and enhancements for Anthrax’s armies.

Savan & Xerjin flanking Georguy

Georguy Grewson: 

Georguy was born to a family of farmers in a small, peaceful village. He was a quiet, unassuming man who toiled in the fields and took pride in his simple life. But beneath his humble exterior, Georguy harbored a growing envy of those who lived in splendor and power, untouched by the struggles of common folk.

One fateful harvest season, as crops withered and starvation loomed, Georguy struck a desperate bargain. Deep in the woods, he called upon a Chaos entity and offered his soul in exchange for a bountiful harvest. His wish was granted, but the harvest was cursed—his crops grew twisted and unnatural, and those who ate them were consumed by madness.

When Anthrax marched through the village, he found Georguy tending his fields of tainted crops, a hollow shell of the man he once was. Seeing the potential for corruption and influence in Georguy’s cursed abilities, Anthrax enlisted him to sow chaos and madness among the empire’s cities. Georguy, now bound to his curse, followed his new master.

More members of the Hord

Ekath Solkar:

Ekath Solkar was once a renowned assassin, hired by nobles and merchants alike to eliminate their rivals. He was a shadow, a whisper, a legend in the underworld. But one day, Ekath was betrayed by an employer who feared the assassin knew too much. Trapped and outnumbered, Ekath was left for dead in a burning warehouse.

Barely escaping with his life, Ekath fled into the wastes, vowing revenge. His body burned and scarred, he turned to Chaos to rebuild himself stronger than before. Chaos answered, granting him the ability to fade into the shadows themselves, becoming an unseen predator who struck without warning.

When Anthrax sought to expand his reach into the empire's cities, he found Ekath eliminating entire bands of imperial soldiers with precision and terror. Anthrax offered the assassin vengeance and a cause worthy of his skills, and Ekath accepted. In Anthrax’s service, Ekath became a phantom, sowing fear and death in the empire's heartlands.

Savan and Xerjin Molach:

Savan Molach was celebrated across the empire as an unmatched duelist, his blade swift and elegant, his victories earning him fame and fortune. His younger brother, Xerjin Molach, lived in his shadow—a scholar with no talent for combat but a keen mind and insatiable curiosity. While Savan basked in the adoration of crowds, Xerjin delved into forbidden tomes, seeking knowledge that would elevate him beyond his brother's fame.

Their lives diverged when Savan's arrogance led him to challenge an elder of the temple of Sigmar, earning himself a curse that left him hollow and unsatisfied by victory. Frustrated and desperate to reclaim the joy of his former life, Savan turned to Xerjin for answers. Xerjin, who had uncovered fragments of Chaos magic in his studies, saw an opportunity to prove his worth. He offered Savan a solution—power beyond anything the empire could offer, at a cost.

The brothers journeyed into the wastes, where Xerjin performed a dark ritual to bind Savan's skill to the will of Chaos. The ritual succeeded but left both brothers forever changed. Savan’s blade now thirsted for blood, feeding on the souls of those he slew, while Xerjin’s body and mind twisted under the influence of the arcane forces he had unleashed. Anthrax found the brothers, and offered them a place in his legion. United in service to the warlord, Savan and Xerjin brought destruction and chaos to the empire—one with a sword and the other with butchery, bound by blood and darkness.

Qui Beastbound:

Qui was once a noblewoman of the empire, her life one of luxury and privilege. But beneath the surface, she felt suffocated by the rules and expectations of high society. Her secret love for hunting, especially the thrill of the chase, was the only outlet for her rebellious spirit. It was during one such hunt that she encountered a great beast, unlike anything she had ever seen—its body twisted and unnatural, its presence radiating raw Chaos.

Determined to claim the beast as her prize, Qui pursued it deep into the wilderness. The hunt lasted for days, and by the time she finally brought the creature down, something inside her had changed. She no longer felt like a human hunting a beast—she felt like she had become the beast. Chaos had marked her, granting her an affinity with creatures of the wild, but at the cost of her humanity.

When Anthrax found Qui, she was leading a pack of monstrous beasts, her once-regal demeanor replaced by primal savagery. Anthrax saw the value in her unique bond with the creatures of Chaos and offered her a place in his army. Qui, now known as Beastbound, became a scout and hunter for the warlord, her feral instincts and monstrous companions tearing through the empire’s defenses.

Janis the Faithless:

Janis was a high-ranking inquisitor of the empire, feared for her unrelenting pursuit of heretics and witches. Her faith in the empire’s gods was absolute, and she believed herself to be a righteous instrument of their will. But that faith was shattered when she uncovered evidence of corruption within the very church she served. The gods she prayed to were silent, and the church’s leaders sought to silence her instead.

Betrayed and hunted, Janis fled into the wastes, her faith replaced by bitter anger. It was there that Chaos whispered to her, offering her the strength to destroy those who had wronged her. Janis embraced the darkness, her once-pristine armor now blackened and twisted, her holy symbols replaced by the marks of Chaos.

When Anthrax encountered Janis, she was leading a band of renegade zealots, burning imperial temples and exacting vengeance on those who had betrayed her. Anthrax recognized her fervor and offered her a chance to fight for a higher purpose. Janis, now called the Faithless, swore loyalty to Anthrax, her wrath turned against the empire she once served.

The Executioner:

No one knows the Executioner’s true name or origins. Some say he was once a common soldier who rose to prominence through acts of unparalleled brutality. Others claim he was a cursed soul bound to the service of Chaos for crimes so heinous that even the gods turned their gaze.

What is known is that the Executioner is a figure of pure terror. His towering frame is clad in rusted, bloodstained armor, and his massive two-handed axe is said to scream with the voices of those it has slain. The Executioner does not speak, nor does he show any emotion. His movements are methodical, his presence chilling, and his purpose singular: to kill in the name of Chaos.

Anthrax found the Executioner in the midst of a massacre, imperial soldiers fleeing in panic as the silent figure cut them down with mechanical precision. Recognizing the unstoppable force before him, Anthrax did not attempt to reason or bargain. Instead, he simply pointed toward the empire’s heartlands, and the Executioner followed. Now, the silent killer is an ever-present shadow in Anthrax’s army, a living embodiment of death itself.

Zuun Ákos the Scorned:

Zuun Ákos was the son of a powerful Sultan who ruled the vast desert plains with wealth and influence unmatched. Raised in luxury and privilege, Zuun was groomed to inherit his father’s throne and carry on his legacy. Yet he was restless, longing for a life beyond the opulence of the court. His dissatisfaction drove him to reckless pursuits, seeking danger and glory where his royal title could not shield him.

One fateful day, Zuun sought to prove himself by venturing into the forbidden ruins deep in the desert, a place said to be cursed by the old gods. It was there he uncovered a fragment of a long-lost artifact, a shard of obsidian that pulsed with dark energy. The moment he touched it, the voices of Chaos flooded his mind, offering him power beyond his wildest dreams. Consumed by his ambition and the whispers of the shard, Zuun returned to his father’s court—but he was no longer the same.

The darkness within Zuun began to manifest, twisting his once-charming demeanor into something menacing and cold. Fearing what he had become, the Sultan banished his son, casting him out into the desert with nothing but his shattered pride. Betrayed and abandoned, Zuun embraced the power of the shard, allowing Chaos to reshape him into a harbinger of destruction. His body became cloaked in swirling sands, his eyes burning with the fire of Chaos itself.

When Anthrax marched through the desert plains, Zuun offered his allegiance, drawn to the warlord’s strength and vision. Now, as one of Anthrax’s most fearsome generals, Zuun Ákos the Scorned commands legions of sand-wreathed warriors, his once-proud heritage now replaced by the relentless fury of Chaos.

The Second of Anthrax's Dammings:

The air was thick with the stench of sulfur, and the ground beneath Anthrax’s armored boots seemed to shift and writhe, alive with the essence of Chaos. The sky itself churned with violent hues of purple and black, a maelstrom of impossible storms that seemed to mock the concept of reality.

Anthrax strode forward, his hand gripping the haft of his axe, his thoughts dark and his resolve unshakable. He felt it before he saw it: a presence so familiar, so tantalizing, it made the blood in his veins run hot.

She emerged from the storm, her silhouette framed against the writhing landscape. She was both the woman he had once loved and something far more dangerous now. Her raven-black hair cascaded in soft waves over her shoulders, catching the stormlight, casting an ethereal glow that made her seem unreal—more goddess than mortal. Her honeyed skin gleamed, a stark contrast to the chaos around them, and her dark brown eyes—rich, warm, and piercing—seemed to see into his very soul. There was a subtle, irresistible glow in them, a gift of Slaanesh that amplified their hypnotic allure.

"Anthrax," she purred, her voice smooth like silk and as dangerous as the deepest night. "You’ve come so far, only to forget me?"

Her words cut through him, sharp and seductive, and he froze in place. His grip on his axe tightened involuntarily. "You are no longer the woman I knew," he growled, his voice colder than the void. "You are a servant of Chaos, twisted by its will."

"And what are you, my dear Duke?" she replied, her voice a soft, lethal whisper. She took a step closer, her body moving with an unnerving grace. "A puppet, just as much as I am. Don’t deceive yourself. But you... could be so much more."

The heat of her presence was undeniable. The air around them thickened, charged with an intoxicating pull. Her honeyed skin gleamed in the chaotic light, each movement of her body an invitation, a promise of something forbidden. Her dark eyes, deep and knowing, never left his as she closed the distance between them, her movements slow and deliberate. The subtle sway of her hips seemed to draw him in, each step more hypnotic than the last.

"You speak as if you are untainted," he hissed, his pulse quickening despite himself. "Yet you stand here, a slave to Slaanesh, just as much as I am to my master."

She smiled—one of those smiles that could burn the soul. Her hand reached out, brushing lightly against his armored chest. The touch was searing, almost too much to bear. "Slave, servant... such hollow words. What do they mean, when Chaos has given me everything? Power. Freedom. Beauty. All of it. And you..." Her voice dropped, seductive and intimate. "You could have it all too. All you need to do is let go."

She was the embodiment of everything Chaos promised, deliberate and lingering, as if she were marking him, claiming him with every movement. Her gaze never wavered, those dark, hypnotic eyes locked onto his, holding him captive in a stare that was at once tender and utterly maddening. "Can you feel it, Anthrax?" she whispered, her voice a velvety temptation, a silky thread pulling him deeper into her grasp. Her hands moved with a subtle yet purposeful fluidity, unbuckling the clasps of her own armor with practiced ease, revealing glimpses of her bare skin beneath. She knew how to entice, how to stir the soul, and every movement she made seemed to heighten the storm raging within him—within them both. The storm above them was mirrored in the storm within him, a chaos of conflicting desires, lust, and fury.

She stepped closer still, her breath a heated whisper against his ear. "You’ve fought so long, Anthrax," she murmured, her breath hot against his ear. "You’ve sacrificed so much. For what? To be bound, to be controlled? You are free now, free to take what you want. I could give you everything."

He stepped back, breath ragged. "I am no fool," he growled. "Your beauty, your power—they are just illusions. And I will not fall for them."

Her smile blended amusement and disdain. "You resist, but it’s all for nothing. You’ve always wanted me. And now, you will always want me." Her voice twisted in his mind, a seductive song. "I am part of you now," she whispered. "And even if you resist me, you can never truly escape me."

The chaos within him reached a fever pitch. With a roar of defiance, he swung his axe, the blade cutting through the air with the raw power of Chaos itself. It was a strike born of fury and desperation, the last vestiges of his will crashing against her relentless temptation.

Her form shattered like glass, broken by the sheer force of his blow, her essence unraveling into the storm. But even as she disintegrated, a fragment of her remained. Her presence was no longer just a vision—it was inside him, wrapped around his very soul.

"Did you think you could rid yourself of me so easily?" Her voice was a silky hiss, joining with his own as he spoke, a second voice, smooth and filled with seductive poison. "I am Chaos, and now I am yours forever."

The whispers of the void raged within him, struggling against her voice... her voice was so sweet, so tempting. She had won—hadn't she? With a jagged breath, he steadied himself, the mark of her influence still burning in his head, the storm still swirling around him. Her voice echoed softly, intimately, like a lingering caress. "You cannot resist me, Anthrax. I will always be here, a part of you."

Her laugh—low, dark, and filled with dark promise—lingered in his mind as the chaos around him seemed to pause, just for a moment, as though it were holding its breath. Anthrax clenched his fists, a dangerous resolve settling over him, and he marched forward, the whisper of her voice still echoing in his mind like a dark lullaby. But this time, he would not listen. Not again. Not ever!