The strongest astral army in Warhammer 40K

Chapter 324 The Norn Messenger

Russell's golden psionic energy flashed across the battlefield like lightning, instantly tearing through the swarm's encirclement. However, this sudden burst of power also revealed his location. The Hive's neural network swiftly locked onto Russell, its fury and impotent rage finally finding an outlet.

"Norne Messenger, attack!" The command from the Hive's will was rapidly transmitted through the neural network.

The air on the battlefield seemed to freeze for a moment, then a massive black shadow burst forth from the swarm of insects. It stood ten meters tall, its forelegs gleaming like two enormous axes. Its carapace was covered in ancient runes and psionic patterns, making it appear as if it were a war behemoth from ancient times. It moved with incredible speed, reaching Russell almost instantly.

“The Norn Messenger…” Russell’s gaze was grave. He had heard of this most powerful Zerg assassin; its forelegs could easily slice through a Leman Rustank, and plate armor was like cardboard to it. And its speed was beyond imagination.

"Russell, watch out!" Arya's voice came, and her psionic shield quickly deployed, attempting to protect Russell.

However, the Norn Messenger was simply too fast. Its forepaw slashed down, tearing through the psionic shield in an instant. Russell quickly dodged to the side, but the aftershock of the claws still left several deep scratches on his power armor.

"This guy... is not easy to deal with." Russell muttered to himself, quickly aiming his Fire Kirin Laser Gun at the Norn Messenger's head. However, the Norn Messenger was too fast; before the laser beam could hit, its figure had already disappeared from the spot.

Boom! The Norn messenger's forepaw slashed down again, cleaving a massive crack in the ground. Russell leaped into the air, golden psionic energy gathering in his palm, attempting to deliver a fatal blow to the Norn messenger.

However, the Norn messenger reacted swiftly. Its forepaws shot up, blocking Russell's attack. Golden psionic energy clashed with the blade and axe, erupting in blinding sparks. Russell's body was sent flying by the immense impact, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Russell!" Cato Sicarius's voice rang out as he swung his power sword, slaying several Zerg guards that tried to approach. However, the Norn messenger's target was clear—Russell.

The Norn messenger vanished again, and the next second, it appeared before Russell. Its forepaws lashed down, attempting to kill Russell instantly.

At this critical moment, a red lightning bolt suddenly rushed into the battlefield. Dante's power axe "Mourning" crackled with electricity as it struck the Norn messenger's forepaws, the immense impact causing the Norn messenger's body to tremble slightly.

“Lord Dante!” Russell’s eyes held a hint of surprise and gratitude.

Before Dante could answer, Norn's attack began again.

The Norn messenger's target was clear—Russell. Its massive body, like a moving mountain, ignored Dante and the Blood Guard's attempts to stop it, charging straight at Russell. Its forepaws gleamed coldly, each swing carrying destructive power, as if to tear Russell to shreds.

Russell swiftly drew his Blooddrinker entrenching tool, golden psionic energy shimmering on its blade. A cold glint flashed in his eyes; though he knew the Norn messengers were far more powerful than himself, he would not back down.

Boom! The Norn messenger's forepaw swung down violently, the Bloodthirsty entrenching tool clashing with the axe, unleashing blinding sparks. Russell's body was thrown back by the enormous impact, crashing heavily to the ground. His power armor was riddled with cracks, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but his gaze remained resolute.

"Russell, get out of the way!" Dante's roar echoed across the battlefield. His power axe, "Mourning," crackling with electricity, slashed at the Norn messenger, attempting to buy Russell time. However, the Norn messenger was incredibly fast; its figure flashed, easily dodging Dante's attack.

"Damn it!" Dante cursed under his breath, quickly adjusting his stance, attempting to launch another attack. However, the Norn messenger's axe had already swung down, aimed straight for Dante's head.

At this critical moment, Mephisto's psionic shield swiftly deployed, blocking Dante's path. The shield shimmered with a pale blue light, attempting to withstand the Norn messenger's attack.

"Boom!" The Norn messenger's blade and axe struck the shield, unleashing a deafening roar. The shield shattered instantly, and Dante swiftly dodged to the side, but the aftershocks of the blade and axe still left several deep scratches on his power armor.

"Lord Dante, be careful!" Mephisto's voice rang out, and his psionic shield re-emerged, attempting to protect Dante.

However, the Norn Messenger's attacks did not cease. Its figure moved across the battlefield like a ghost, each strike carrying devastating power. The Blood Guard warriors tried to stop it, but their attacks proved utterly futile against the Norn Messenger's armor.

Russell struggled to his feet, a resolute glint in his eyes. He knew the Norn messengers' power far exceeded their expectations, but they could not back down. His golden psionic energy surged once more, the runes on the Bloodthirsty entrenching tool gleaming faintly.

"Lord Dante, Mephisto, let's go together!" Russell's voice carried a hint of determination.

Dante nodded, lightly swinging his power axe in his hand: "Alright, let's take care of this guy together."

Mephisto's psionic shield activated once more, his gaze turning cold: "I will provide you with support."

The Norn Messenger's speed gradually slowed under the psionic power of Arya and Mephisto, its form no longer as elusive as before. However, its defense remained despair-inducingly strong. Russell's Blood-Drinker entrenching tool and Dante's power axe "Mourning" slashed at its carapace, creating countless sparks, yet failed to inflict any real damage.

"This guy's armor... is even harder than a warship's armor!" Dante's voice was tinged with impatience as he swung his power axe down again, but it only left a shallow mark on the Norn messenger's armor.

Russell's gaze held a cold glint; he knew that ordinary attacks would be ineffective against the Norn messenger. His golden psionic energy surged within him, attempting to find the Norn messenger's weakness.

"Russell, watch out!" Arya's voice came, and her psionic shield quickly deployed, attempting to protect Russell.

However, the Norn messenger's attack remained swift. Its forepaw swung down, aiming straight for Russell's head. Russell quickly raised his Blooddrinker entrenching tool, attempting to block the blow.

"Boom!" The immense impact caused Russell's body to shudder violently, cracks appeared all over his power armor, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. However, his gaze remained resolute.

"Russell, we have to find a way to break through its defenses!" Dante's voice rang out as his power axe swung at the Norn messenger once more.

Russell nodded, a hint of determination in his eyes: "I have a way, but it requires taking a risk."

Dante's eyes held a hint of doubt: "What method?"

Russell did not answer, but swiftly drew the Blade of Saint Gilles from his waist. This short sword once belonged to Saint Gilles; its blade was engraved with ancient runes and emitted a faint psionic energy fluctuation.

"The Emperor's Blessing..." Russell murmured softly, the amulet on his chest gleaming faintly. He knew this was his last chance.

The Norn messenger's forepaw swung down again, aiming straight for Russell's chest. Russell did not dodge, but quickly raised the Emperor's Amulet in an attempt to block the attack.

"Boom!" The amulet's psionic shield deployed instantly, blocking the Norn messenger's fatal blow. However, the shield quickly collapsed under the enormous impact, and Russell's body was thrown several meters away, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Now!" A resolute glint flashed in Russell's eyes. He quickly stood up and thrust the Blade of Saint Gilles in his hand toward the Norn messenger's armor.

"Crack!" The tip of the Blade of Saint Gilles pierced the Norn Messenger's carapace, and golden psionic energy surged into the Norn Messenger's body through the blade. The Norn Messenger's body shuddered violently, letting out a shrill scream.

"Lord Dante, now!" Russell's voice carried a hint of urgency.

Dante reacted swiftly, his power axe crackling with electricity as he cleaved towards the Norn Messenger's head. This time, the Norn Messenger's carapace weakened under the protection of the Blade of Sangilius, and the power axe easily cleaved its skull.

"Boom!" The Norn Messenger's body crashed to the ground, its massive form kicking up a cloud of dust on the battlefield. Its carapace rapidly disintegrated under the corrosive power of the golden psionic energy, eventually turning into ashes.

Russell swayed precariously, blood gushing from his mouth and wounds. His golden psionic energy was nearly depleted.

"Russell!" Arya's voice came, and her psionic shield quickly deployed, attempting to protect Russell.

Dante walked up to Russell, a hint of approval in his eyes: "Well done, Russell. You did it."

Russell smiled slightly, a hint of weariness in his eyes: "This is our victory, Lord Dante."