Shattering crystal

He skidded to a halt. Behind him and in front of him were the walls of crystal cells, filled with dark water. Lucius stared into their depths, seeing the familiar shapes inside. They responded to his presence, the black waters beginning to boil.

Lucius smashed the pommel of the Laeran Blade against the first pane. It shattered in a rush of frothing black water. The dark current receded from the hulking figure that had stood imprisoned within its depths. It ran from ornate war-plate of mauve and precious metals, from jewelled horns sculpted into the mouths of screaming angels.

The warrior took a ponderous step, his armour squealing from the motion after so long spent locked in stillness. The second step displayed a quickly recovered grace. His war-plate thrummed like an insect hive.

Lucius stood his ground as the legionary swung the sonic amplifier cannon bolted to his forearm up, levelling it at the Eternal’s chest. Raw noise itched from the fluted barrel of the cannon, primed to be released with the force to shatter ceramite and liquefy flesh. It held for a handful of heartbeats, before the warrior lowered it.

A low intake of breath caused Lucius to brace for what he knew was coming. The Kakophoni screamed. Weaponised sound blasted from every horn and speaker-grille on his armour, ripping out from him in a sphere of discordance.

Every cell shattered. Black water and shattered crystal flooded the corridor in a gushing tide. Eleven other Noise Marines stepped out from their prisons. Slowly, they looked to their brother, and then their gaze settled over Lucius.

Feedback crackled from the vox-grilles that studded every surface of their armour like gilded barnacles. They pulsed, glowing sharply with an arrhythmic violet light. The same light came from their eyes.

The twelve Kakophoni formed a circle around Lucius. The black water trembled around their boots. After a moment, one of their number stepped forwards to stand in front of him.

Lucius: The Faultless Blade, IV.III