LOST GLORY

The two Lords, Khate and Lemta, stood at opposite ends of the chamber, their eyes staring coldly at each other. Both were surrounding by their personal court of Warriors, watching silently while their masters prepared. The ritual had been done many times before; this time was no different. It was martial training of the highest degree, and served as a bit of entertainment for the warriors who served the Lords.

Khate removed his cloak, leaving only a folded cloth around his waist. Lemta chose to leave his short sleeveless robe on, covering much of his silver body. They both stepped back, retrieving their personal weapons from their retainers. Khate was to use two curved knives, Lemta would use a spear with a curved blade.

Their weapons in hand, the two Lords bowed to each other simultaneously. Silently they assumed a fighting stance. And with not a sound more, they attacked.

Lemta’s spear swept in at Khate, but was quickly blocked by his daggers. In return, Khate spun, forcing the spear to go to his right and knocking Lemta momentarily off balance. Before he could press his advantage, Lemta had turned with the move and was now spinning quickly toward Khate, spear held high so as to impale or remove his head. Khate ducked low, and the spear sailed overhead.

Khate then somersaulted backwards, clearing a space between himself and Lemta. Lemta followed, holding his spear ready to attack. At the last moment Khate dodged to the side, slashing with his two daggers and scoring Lemta’s armoured body on his left arm and shoulder.

‘First blood’ had been drawn, and in Khate’s favor.

Lemta squatted as Khate passed by, then quickly stood and turned, his spear moving outward like a snake striking. His attack hit Khate’s armour in his abdomen. Sparks flew as metal scraped metal.

Khate once again somersaulted backwards, clearing space for himself. Lemta approached more cautiously this time, wary of his opponent’s last trick. He moved closer to Khate, but chose to keep a safe distance. Slowly the two moved about the chamber, both keeping an equal distance between them.

Khate made his move, leaping forward at Lemta and slashing with his daggers. Lemta parried each of the daggers repeatedly, holding his position. He then spun and kicked upward at Khate. His foot connected with his opponent’s chin.

A sound like thunder echoed through the chamber as Lemta’s blow struck and Khate was knocked into the air and backwards. He landed heavily on his back. Lemta ran forward, spear ready to make short work of the downed Lord. But Khate managed to jump up, assuming a defensive stance once more.

This time it was Khate’s turn to block and dodge the incoming torrent of blows. Lemta was very skilled in the use of a spear, and it took much of Khate’s effort to sweep the spear aside. Finally he caught the spear with his daggers, then kicked upward, knocking it from Lemta’s hands. With his opponent disarmed and momentarily surprised, he slashed across Lemta’s torso four times, leaving minor scoring and a slashed robe. He then jumped backward, making the move an attack as his foot caught Lemta’s chest and sent him reeling backwards.

The attack backfired. Lemta was now beside his spear. Khate saw this and ran forward to attack. In one fluid motion Lemta retrieved his spear and then slammed his foot into Khate’s torso, knocking his opponent to the ground. He quickly spun and thrust his spear downwards. Just as quickly he stopped the move, the blade touching Khate’s neck.

A moment of silence followed, unbroken by any sound.

Finally Khate began laughing, a strange sound when filtered through his synthesizer. He dropped his daggers to the ground, and Lemta did likewise with his spear. Lemta then helped Khate to his feet and the two turned to regard each other with a mutual respect, their warriors cheering around them and chanting ancient war cries.

"I see that these years in stasis have not caused me to lose my touch," Lemta remarked.

"Likewise my own skills. You were good out there, Lemta. Too good," Khate said, laughing softly.

"You will be better prepared next time, Khate," Lemta told his friend. "For now, let us make preparations. We have been asleep far too long, and it is time to make the galaxy know once more what the true glory of the Necrontyr is."

"Aye, friend. Let us go forth and blaze an empire across the stars again. This ritual has whet my appetite to re-forge our realm."