Ruubai Han
The ground of the Avenue of Sacrifice rumbled as if the very sky was crashing down. Although the sounds in the air was anything but apocalyptic. Quite the opposite, the sound in the air was of celebration as a Company of each of the Emperor's Blades, Iron Vipers and Blue Dragons marched down the street. The Hive Elites watching from high in the towers, with the common dregs of the hive (Still some of the wealthiest of humanity, but common in regards to the Elites) stood at the side of the streets, cheering on their conquering heroes. In the middle of the parade, a large hover-Palanquin carrying Ruubai himself, with Mizuki by his side, the immense dreadnought-entombed frame of Zahara stood at the front and Gaul stood next to Zahara.
"HAIL TO THE PRIMARCH!!!" A cheer came from the crowd. Ruubai waved to the crowd as he picked up Mizuki and put her on his immense shoulders.
"AND HAIL TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE IMPERIUM!!!" He cried to the crowd. Mizuki blew a kiss to the crowd as a cheer went up. The Nobles in the top of the tower were notably unimpressed with this display. The Space Marines returning home from a crusade was noteworthy of their attention, but the fact that this one seemed to have married a mongrel without any noble name made them annoyed. Especially seeing that no other Primarch would even contemplate marriage. Marrying into the Imperial family was supposed to be an honor fit for only the highest of the Nobility. The Golden guards of the Emperor, the Custodes watched silently from nooks and crannies of the towers, their piercing, judging gaze constantly upon Ruubai and his antics. To marry, to claim his... Pets were of the same stature as the Sons of His Eminency... Ruubai was beloved by many, but problematic to the 1%.
"BEHOLD THE SWORN BROTHERS!!!" Gaul climbed atop Zahara and shouted at the head of the palanquin "THOSE WHO MADE THE SACRED OATH BENEATH THE TREE!!!" He held his Spear high, towards Ruubai. Who drew his sword and touched its tip with the spear.
"THOSE WHO SHED THEIR BLOOD AND TEARS FOR THE IMPERIUM!!!" Zahara boomed with his deep, robotic voice. "BE PROUD OF YOUR IMPERIUM!!!"
As the procession approached the end of the Avenue, the Space Marines began to march to the side of the road to allow the Palanquin to approach. Ruubai, Mizuki, Gaul and Zahara stepped down from the Palanquin and approached the gate, a single Custode stood in front of the Gate.
"Pray-tell, Lord Primarch." The Custode called. "Why do you seek to enter with your Legionmen at your side? Do you not feel safe in the Palace walls?" Ruubai smirked as he approached.
"You may be my Father's bodyguard, but i am his son." Ruubai replied.
"You may be his son, but i am his first..." The man replied.
"Constantin..." Ruubai sighed. "I remember you." Zahara shuffled a little in the back, remembering the butt of his spear in his jaw during their first encounter. "I believe that a rematch would prove most interesting." He laughed, looking back at Zahara. "It's not every day that the people of Terra get to see a Primarch fight a Custode..
"I would take great pleasure in that..." He replied.
"YOU are not a Primarch." Constanin replied, looking at Zahara. "Neither are you." He said to Gaul. "And you..." He stared at Mizuki. "You may have somehow wormed your way into the Primarch's heart, you may have performed a ritual on your world to bind your family to his, but you are NOT His Excellencies Primarch... You, unlike the other two are still Human... You should take the greatest of prides in that." He continued to stare Ruubai down.
"You chose your words MOST carefully." Ruubai said, the smile fading from his face quickly. "Because I will tolerate a man of your stature insulting myself and my brothers... Your head remains on your shoulders because you treated my wife with respect. Now stand aside." He ordered. Constantin didn't so much as blink. The cold himalayan winds blowing between them. "I do not wish for violence, especially on Father's doorstep, but his orders specified all Primarchs." He turned around. "BLUE DRAGONS, WHO IS YOUR PRIMARCH!?!?!?"
"SIR, GAUL YUAR, SIR!!!"
"IRON VIPERS, WHO IS YOUR PRIMARCH!?!?!?"
"SIR, ZAHARA MAI, SIR!!!"
"IMPERIAL BLADES, WHO IS YOUR PRIMARCH!?!?!?"
SIR, RUUBAI HAN, SIR!!!"
Ruubai turned around to Constantin. "You appear to be outvoted." Ruubai smiled a smug smile. Constantin's face hadn't changed. But he slowly picked his spear off the ground.
"Have it your way..." he replied. "The four of you will enter the Palace... But His Imperial Majesty will not suffer your games." He waved a hand and the immense door began to open.
"SPACE MARINES, YOU ARE DISMISSED!!!" Ruubai called, before he looked back to see Mizuki having approached Constantin.
"Great honourable First Custode," She began. "I thank you greatly for your concedence of your position." She bowed to him. "I would like if you would agree to talk with me, i would find it the greatest of honours to be allowed to include your life story into the Great Library." Constantin looked her up and down, obviously confused by her. He had never really talked with her before, despite having spent time with her when they first came to Shu. She had spent the entire time trying to get The Emperor to open up to her, to no avail. Was she trying to get to His Excellency through him? He didn't see any deceit on her face.
"I will consider it." He replied. He then stared at her for a second. "I will escort you to the palace. His Highness will want a report on this." He said, walking towards the gate as it continued to swing open.