Warhammer 40k : Space Marine Kayvaan

Inside was a silver key resting atop a roll of parchment, its surface slightly yellowed with age. Nine thousand years had left only faint traces on the well-preserved document.

Joe gingerly took out the parchment and unfolded it. Written in the Empire's standard Gothic script, the text read:

Commission of Appointment

In recognition of his heroic and exemplary service to the Imperium, and in acknowledgment of his tenure as captain of the Raven Guard, it is hereby decreed that Kayvaan Shrike is granted the authority to establish a new Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes.

By the will of the High Lords of Terra and the decree of His Immortal Majesty, the Emperor of Mankind, Chapter Master Kayvaan Shrike is charged with the creation of a successor Chapter to the Raven Guard. This Chapter shall bear the honored legacy of stealth, precision, and relentless pursuit of the Emperor's enemies, hallmarks of its progenitor.

This Commission grants:

Rights of Founding: Full authority to recruit, train, and oversee the creation of a new Chapter.

Heraldry and Insignia: The new Chapter may establish its own unique banner, insignia, and sacred rites in accordance with the Codex Astartes.

Fleet and Resources: A full complement of void-capable vessels and material to enable interstellar operations.

Sovereign Mandate: Jurisdiction over a designated region of Imperial space to serve as the Chapter's base of operations and area of responsibility.

The new Chapter shall act as an extension of the Emperor's will, a bulwark against heresy, xenos, and the forces of Chaos. Under Chapter Master Shrike's guidance, it shall embody the nobility, vigilance, and discipline of the Raven Guard while forging its own path in service to the Imperium.

By this decree, may Chapter Master Kayvaan Shrike spread the light of the Emperor to the darkest corners of the galaxy and bring glory to His name for millennia to come.

At the bottom of the parchment was the Emperor's signature, along with the black seal of the Imperial double-headed eagle. Below the seal, a small note in fine print read, "This is a certified copy. The original has been archived by the Imperial Think Tank."

Joe turned the parchment over, inspected the key, and even re-examined the box multiple times. Only then did he finally accept that this was no cruel joke or twisted test. The letter was real.

For a moment, a surge of joy overtook him. He hadn't expected such a monumental recognition. This appointment wasn't just timely—it was life-saving. He desperately needed this right now.

When Joe had first awakened in this strange new reality, the respectful treatment from others had felt pleasant, even flattering. But what followed quickly turned into a nightmare. The relentless scans, the wary inquisitors, and their veiled skepticism had filled him with growing dread.

At every turn, Joe was plagued by the same fear: would someone storm in and drag him away? Would they discover something… unnatural about him? Was there an evil force hidden inside him that even he wasn't aware of?

The Empire was no stranger to travelers like him, but not in the way he had imagined. In this world, "travelers" were often malevolent entities—evil spirits from other dimensions that infiltrated the Empire. These beings were hunted down mercilessly, dissected for research, or outright destroyed.

Some could manipulate appearances to tempt humans into corruption. Others burrowed into the depths of their victims' hearts, sowing chaos on a spiritual level. The most terrifying were those that could take over a human host entirely. Joe had encountered such a demon within Kayvaan's spiritual consciousness before. Its words had been insidious, its influence devastating.

Every moment since his awakening, Joe had lived with the haunting fear that he might share their fate. If he was unmasked as a fraud, death by burning would likely be the most merciful outcome.

Yet, through it all, Kayvaan's stoic demeanor had become a lifeline for Joe. Even though his appearance completely changed now, the body's natural habits remained unchanged. Kayvaan's face was always a mask, showing no emotion regardless of the turmoil beneath. That poker face concealed Joe's terror well, though it did little to ease the storm raging inside him.

If anyone suspected he wasn't the real Kayvaan Shrike, it wouldn't matter whether the accusation was grounded in truth. Just the shadow of doubt was enough to condemn him as a demon. At that point, no excuses would hold up. Claiming to be an innocent traveler from Earth? Who would believe that?

But if he had this—this commission—and make a new marine corps, it would serve as a shield against suspicion. With that in mind, the overwhelming sense of danger eased, if only slightly. Joe felt a flicker of reassurance amidst the storm of anxiety. Yet, as his thoughts wandered to the numerous obstacles ahead, a heavy sigh escaped him. His outward expression betrayed none of the turmoil within. Instead, he shook his head and forced a bitter smile as he prepared to confirm the Emperor's reward.

Before he could act, Darius suddenly stood to attention. His boots clicked sharply together as he straightened, rigid as a javelin. The crisp sound echoed in the room. "Stand at attention!" Darius barked, his voice firm and unwavering. Raising one hand sharply to his temple in salute, he declared loudly, "Darius, a loyal citizen of the Empire, formally applies to Captain Kayvaan Shrike for permission to join the Marine Corps you are about to establish!"

With that, he withdrew a white envelope from his coat, stepped forward, and placed it on the table with both hands, bowing slightly. "You… you already prepared an application?" Joe asked with a wry smile, though he couldn't hide his surprise. "You knew what was in this box all along, didn't you?"

"Lord, I swear my family never opened this box," Darius replied earnestly. "The Alen family has safeguarded this reward for generations, as ordered by His Majesty the Emperor. However, it wasn't the only one issued. Thirteen identical rewards were granted back then. Of those, seven were opened immediately, and the contents revealed. Each contained a commission identical in nature, differing only in the name of the appointee. It wasn't difficult to infer the contents of this one.

"My ancestor's greatest wish was to help you—his Lord—rebuild the Marine Corps. For that goal, he declined countless promotions, choosing instead to fight on the frontlines and accumulate merit. But even so, he never lived to see your awakening. Serving under your command is not just my ambition—it's a dream my family has carried for generations."

Joe leaned back, his smile tinged with melancholy. "It's not that simple," he said, shaking his head. "You're still young, Darius. You don't understand what it takes to form a Marine Corps. Even a small-scale group is a monumental undertaking now. Nine thousand years ago, I wouldn't have hesitated to don my armor and sail into the stars. But now…"

He trailed off, his gaze distant. This world was no longer the one he remembered. Nine thousand years had reshaped everything. The dreams of his past felt like whispers from another life, and a single commission, no matter how precious, couldn't bridge such a vast chasm.

Darius, still standing, hesitated but then asked, "Lord, does this mean you'll decline the commission?"