On the ash-covered Pyre Desert in the shadow of Mount Deathfire, the ground rumbles with more than

just an erupting volcano. From the east come the footsteps of a massive invasion: One never before
seen on Nocturne. Proud Chapter Master of the Salamanders, TuShan, feels the heat of the erupting
volcano sweep over him, and the smell of fire reminds him of forge and of home. Beside him stands the
Great Wolf, Logan Grimnar. Though many years his superior, Logan bowed out when discussions arose
over who would lead the counter-offensive, citing TuShans superior knowledge of the terrain and
battle conditions.
As his red eyes scan the horizon, the sounds around TuShan seem to fade into the distance, being
drowned out by the sound of his own beating hearts and his deep rumbling breath in his chest. It had
come to this. Three days ago when the Prometheus deep space sensors had detected an incoming Hive
Fleet, he knew there was trouble. When the sensors detected an incoming fleet of Dark Eldar ships
escorting the Hive Fleet, he was puzzled. He knew then, as he did now, the fate of Nocturne would be
determined by the battle to come.

The Dark Eldar came, wielding a technology built for the apocalypse: a synapse simulation device which
allowed them to convince a massive hive fleet that they were a distant Tyranid biomorph working under
the Hive Mind. Seizing the opportunity, they followed Hive Fleet Basilisk on their way into Imperial
Space. Now, their numbers shake the ground as they crest the ridge overlooking the Pyre Desert. A
battle to end all battles. The Apocalypse had come.

Just as TuShans Caestus Assault Ram leaves the front lines to survey the nearby mountains, the
incoming Xenos strike, catching the two space marine chapters off-guard. As they scramble to mobilize,
the Salamander Land Raiders, holding the center spearhead strong are disintegrated under the fire of
the Dark Eldar Dark Lances. A towering monstrosity of a creature, known only as a bio-titan, advances
rapidly on the position and unleashes a hellfire barrage of horrible parasites which brings the
Salamander Titan to explode.

In a flash of white, Genestealers spill over the defensive fencing and swarm the Salamander terminators
still reeling from the explosion of their Land Raider. Though the Salamanders fight valiantly, the
Genestealers seem to fight without number, and devour them entirely. On the left flank, the Swiftclaw
Bikers, lead by their Wolf Priest, are overrun by Tyranid Warriors, and become yet another casualty.
Just as it seemed the Xenos would over-run the Adeptus Astartes, the Space Wolves bear their fangs and
strike back with a vengeance. The Psychic Choir, featuring a group of the finest Rune Priests of Asaheim,
unleash a Psychic Vortex at the Bio-titan. Then, the Space Wolves own weapon of apocalyptic
proportions, the Warhound Scout Titan, unleashes a barrage of weapons which bring the colossal Bio-
titan to its gory end.

Seeing the destruction being wrought on the battlefield, TuShan returns, accompanied by a Stormtalon.
His Ram unloads a massive blast of immense melta heat which begins to cut through the seemingly
numberless horde. Two drop pods land, containing Salamander Stern Guard squads, who land at the far
flanks of the enemy ranks, one devastating the Hellions and Witches with a barrage of combi-flamers,
and the other destroying the Dais of Destruction containing Asdrubael Vect and his retinue with combi-
melta.

But the advance of the Xenos seemed to be unphased. More and more Tyranids poured forward, leaving
the Space Marines little space to advance. Vect avenges the destruction of his beloved Raider and
annihilates the Sternguard squad single handedly. Dark Eldar jetbikes race up one of the flanks. The
Swarmlord and his retinue ready themselves for TuShan, sensing the Salamander hero in the Ram
above them.
Another Biotitan races to the front lines, and combines fire with the Dark Eldar to attempt to bring down
the second titan. However, it is protected by a psychic barrier courtesy of the Psychic Choir, and
manages to withstand the onslaught without being destroyed. Meanwhile, the remaining Wolf Priest
and Swiftclaw biker become engaged in a melee with several gaunts, and manage to slaughter a handful
of them without suffering any casualties.
Sensing his finest hour, TuShan unloads from his Assault Ram, along with Master Apothocary Harath
Shen, and eight of Nocturnes finest. Before he can engage in epic combat with the Swarmloard,
however, a barrage of heavy artillery comes crashing down from the Warhound Scout Titan which
eradicates him and the majority of his squad, leaving nothing but a weakened Hive Tyrant left.
A Salamander Titan reinforcement arrives on the table, laying down covering fire on the flank opposite
of Tushan, helping support the Long Fangs and Grey Hunters desperately trying to thin the massive
invasion. Tushan charges into the Hive Tyrant, flanked by his Terminator Honor Guard. Braving the
odds, Tushan issues a challenge to fight the beast one on one. The battle was vicious with blows being
exchanged, but when the dust settled, it was Tushan who stood victor.
Not wanting to miss out on the bloodshed, Lelix Hesperax leads her squad of Wytches into a counter
assault against Tushan and his Terminators. The Terminator Sergent, determined to show Tushan that
he was worthy of legend himself, valiantly accepts Lelixs invitation to a one on one skirmish.
Unfortunately for him, Lelix slices him apart easily, however the rest of the Wytches inflict minimal
casualties and take a few of their own.
Across the table, the Dark Eldar lances manage to pick off the Rhino carrying the Librarius and another
carrying a squad of Grey Hunters. Before the Rune Priests can react, they are swarmed by genestealers,
who surprisingly only manage to wound a single Priest, and take several casualties of their own. The
Dark Eldar Jetbikes begin to pick off a few of the Grey Hunters whom are no longer protected by their
Rhino.
With the Biotitan advancing near Logan Grimnars squad still safely in their Land Raider, he decides it is
time for his finest hour. They disembark from the Land Raider, and the entire terminator squad and Land
Raider, including Arjac Rockfist, open up fire on the Biotitan, but every single one of their shots, with the
exception of Arjacs Foehammer, fail to even scathe the Biotitan. Undaunted, Logan Grimnar charges
into the fray. The Biotitan, however, happily eats three of the terminators, leaving only Logan and Arjac
left, they manage to bring down the beast through sheer strength of will.
Though the Space Marines continue to suffer small casualties throughout, the Xenos have lost their
footing, and their numbers begin to crumble. The Adeptus Astartes have won the day, and Nocturne is
spared annihilation, at least for now.