Editing The 13th Black Crusade (section)

===The Despoiler's Fist Closes===

While the defenders were still holding, with every hour that passed the Despoiler's minions pushed them back at all sides. In the east Baroness Vardus finally met a glorious end, as her Knight dealt the traitor [[Reaver]] ''Furioso Rex'' a deathblow before its own reactor failed. Her remaining Nobles fought on to the last, their own ends a credit to their House. With the Knights gone, the tanks of the 185th were left on their own, and were forced to make a fighting withdrawal, forgetting in their terror that there ''wasn't'' any place left to withdraw to.

Into this the Space Marines entered the fray, ferried in by Imperial Fist Thunderhawks, just as Crimson Slaughter hit the trench lines. Crimson Fist [[Devastator Squad]]s opened fire at the remaining titans, while Loyalist met Renegade in furious melee amidst the burned remains of House Raven's war machines. It was here the Brother-Captain Tracinto met his end via [[FATAL|chainfist]], but he was soon avenged by Korahael's own [[Power_weapon#Relic_Blade|relic blade]].

In the West the Cadian 9th died where they stood by the hundreds, in penance for their prior cowardice at the Kriegan Gates. As their lines diminished, Creed ordered his reserves to reinforce them, but by the time the 75th and 403rd reach their trench lines it was too late, and the foe was too numerous. The 9th had been overrun, but through their valiant deaths they had wiped away the taint of dishonor.

Up North the Sisters of Battle fought on, and not one Daemon Engine reached the trenches, as they had met their enemies head-on in the plains before them. Scores were martyred in the defense, but their Faith buoyed them on, all in the name of Him-On-Terra.

Down South however, things took a turn for the worst very quickly. A panicked colonel of the Cadian 21st ordered his soldiers to head of the hills. He was quickly BLAMMED by a Commissar, but the damage was done, and the 21st routed. Creed tried to rally them via vox from his [[Skyshield_Landing_Pad|command skyshield]], but the Lord Castellan himself was soon under assault.

Abaddon himself led the teleport assault on the skyshield, accompanied by the '''Bringers of Despair''', the Black Legion's finest warriors. They tore through Creed's command effortlessly, but despite this Creed still managed to escape, thanks to the heroism of his longtime companion Kell. As he saw the Castellan airlifted via Valkyrie to safety, the injured Kell gave Abaddon the proverbial middle finger along with his best shit-faced grin in defiance.

The Despoiler, not amused, broke his spine in response.