A True Son of Sanguinius. A Son of Baal.

He steps forth into the chambers of his lord. The brother is honored to have been summoned to his presence, for his legion and his home face a great peril. Once more the fate of Baal and of the Blood Angels hangs in the balance, for once again the beast returns.

He who defeated their liege-lord twice, once at Signus, again at Terra, is coming back with an army of horrors drawn from the Warp. The Bane of Sanguinius is coming.

Preparations have been made, most of the legion assembled for the fight that is coming. Even he has been recalled from his sacred but bloody duty, for he alone bears a difficult duty the equal to that of the Redeemer of the Lost. Where the Redeemer saves the souls of the lost within the Death Company, he must condemn and judge the traitors of his own kin. He must pass judgment upon those brothers who turned traitor, those who no longer deserve the name Blood Angel.

It is why his armor is not the shining gold of the Sanguinary Guard, though a member of this august group he is. No, his armor is the color of crimson, his helm the only gold. He is the High Angel of Judgment to his brothers, the one who must fulfill his duty. He is known as Rhadamanthis.

Rhadamanthis hears his name being called and enters into the sanctum of the lord commander himself. He can feel the strong energy of his commander permeate this place. Not far off to the side, he sees him. Master of angels, son of Sanguinius, leader of the IX Legion Astartes.

Lord Commander Dante.

He bows before him, as befits his duty. "My lord, you summoned for me?" he said, and finally the lord commander turns, his deep, penetrating eyes boring into the warrior's soul. When he speaks, he surprises him. "Danyel."

Rhadamanthis is taken aback. That was a name he hadn't heard in a long time, not since............ "It has been long since I have heard my birth name, lord." he said, his previous shock gone. "Danyel. I haven't heard that name in a long time."

Dante nodded and replied, "Indeed. You cast that name and your former identity away to become who you are now. Rhadamanthis, the High Angel of the Sanguinary Guard, and the arbiter of traitors' souls." Rhadamanthis nodded in turn. "Yes. I do what is required of my duty."

"Not this time." Dante said, and Rhadamanthis looked up, curiosity on his face. "Lord?" he asked, and Dante answered. "You know why you have been recalled from your sacred duty, for once more, we of the Blood Angels stare death in the face. He who has been a bane to us for thousands of years is coming once again to destroy our home."

"Ka'bandha." Rhadamanthis spoke the daemon's name, that thorn that has never left the Blood Angels' side. "He will find only death and failure here."

Dante nodded. "He will, indeed. But we have need of champions, many more than I previously thought. And that, Rhadamanthis, is why I summoned you. I have need of a champion more than I need an executioner."

"My lord, I am at your command. Task me." Rhadamanthis told him, bowing in supplication. Dante gestured, and a light appeared over a group of servitors and serfs who held a set of equipment: a golden jump pack like those worn by the Sanguinary Guard, and a golden, winged helmet.

"I want you, brother, to cast off your former items and wear these." said Dante to an astounded Rhadamanthis. "They are yours, brother. You are more than worthy of inheriting these sacred relics, for they belonged to he who restored the order of which you swore allegiance to."

Rhadamanthis stared in shock, now recognizing the items for what they were really were. They were relics, ancient relics that had never been worn into battle, not since the Herald.........still lived............. "Azkaellon." Rhadamanthis breathed, speaking the name of the last of the Sanguinary Guard who rebuilt the order, a son of high esteem and a confidant of the Great Angel himself. "You would give me his relics?"

"I would, for I trust you, brother." said Dante. "And there is more." He gestured to a servitor carrying a shrouded item, and the machine-helot removed the cover to reveal a golden sculpture of a rose with blood drops, identical to the one borne upon Rhadamanthis' right shoulder, though his was not made of gold. It was the emblem of a princess, a princess who was now a sister to them, a Blood Angel in her own right............

"The Sanguinaria gifts you this. Aurora thinks you should be a little more gilded for your new title and inheritance." said Dante, further shocking and humbling the warrior before him. "Aurora.........." Rhadamanthis breathed, remembering the fair maiden whom he had mentored and befriended. A shadow passed through the tall windows of Dante's chambers, and looking out, Rhadamanthis saw her.

Hair of golden yellow flew in the breeze, her fair shape held aloft by the mighty pinions she now bore. Her wings, her white, swan-like angel wings, gave her the ability to fly. Rhadamanthis smiled as he saw her. Her eyes, once violet but now the rich color of crimson, gleamed with unbound energy and vitality. In her right hand was held the sacred weapon of the primarch, a weapon that now answered only to her. The Spear of Telesto.

Rhadamanthis was glad to believe in her. He too had doubted when he beheld her transformation years ago, but she was no falsehood and no minion of Chaos. She had vanquished her old foe, the dark fairy who had come to lay waste to the IX Legion, and was chosen by the spirit of their primarch to become his living avatar, the one chosen to carry his essence. It was unprecedented, for a woman, not a Blood Angel, was chosen to bear the soul of the Lord of Angels himself.

That was why she was called the Sanguinaria. The Lady of Angels. The Blood Rose. Princess Aurora was no longer a mortal woman, but a newborn demigoddess. And she was a daughter of the Great Angel, and a sister to all Blood Angels. Rhadamanthis was proud and honored to be her friend. This gift that she gave to him warmed his heart, and he understood the intent behind his lord's actions. Dante was right; the people of Baal and his brothers needed a champion, not a judge. He would be proud to don this mantle, if only for a while, for his duty was neverending and he would return to his task soon.

"Thank you, my lord. I accept these gifts and this duty with honor. Let the daemon come. He will know the folly of his ways."

Brother , the Great Angel's blessing be upon you. This is my gift to you.

A remake of your former identity, terraluna5.deviantart.com/art/…. reforged anew. Be honored, brother of blood, and accept this gift. Merry Christmas.