The Krieger and the Flower | A Warhammer 40k Story

"A man with nothing to give, can still give his life."

"The Kriegsmen, I have come to find, are an unusual lot. They do not have the Bravado of the Ventrillian nobles, the swagger of the jungle fighters, the strict unwavering pride of Mordians, the Zealotry of the Maccabians, or the cynical greed of the Jopall, the proud traditions and legacies of the Cadians and their successor worlds. They appear to be a legion of faceless puppets, lost men, dead men, they are resigned to their fates and end. They are insular, suspicious and even hostile to outside regiments, who find them alien and disturbing in return. But over the century I have spent alongside them, commanding them from Krieg to the far ends, I have noticed that they are just as lively as other men. Even more so, perhaps. Because of their resignation to their fate, because they see themselves as dead men, they appreciate the smaller things in life even more. The sun, shining through the clouds, a moment of reprieve or relief, a beautiful flower given by a beautiful girl, the images of Him on Terra and his saints. They are not carcasses flung at a minefield, they want their sacrifice to mean something in the Imperium's war effort. They are some of the Imperial guard finest soldiery, if one understands how to use them. If you can convince them that you are sacrificing their lives in the most effective and efficient way possible, you will have their respect, and even their love. The Korps can be commanded by any man, but it takes a certain man to lead them." - Excerpt from Lord Militant General Fulk van Gelderhest's personal memoirs. One of the few non Kriegsmen to be gifted a Korps Officer Breastplate, which has been altered to fit such a high ranking officers standards, and a cavalry saber, which hung in his personal study.

Kriegers always get the most bittersweet stories it would seem.

"If people like him existed in this pitiless universe, it was only to allow people like her to continue to exist". Bro just had nothing to loose, but also was fighting for everything.

I kind of like how her gesture of kindness to the Kriegsman actually makes him double down on his self-sacrificial mindset. It doesn't give him hope for redemption or joy for a brighter future. It simply reaffirms that his destiny is that of a weapon to be used. However, the reason for his sacrifice shifts. Before, it was because he needed to atone for the sins of his ancestors, and to serve the emperor's will. Now, alongside that, he throws himself into hell to protect things like the girl. To save the last pockets of beauty and joy that refuse to be drowned in the tide of horror. Like he said, the reason something as rotten as him exists is to protect something as beautiful as her.

i love seeing Kriegers be so out of their element when met with kindness

These kinds of human stories in 40k are a big reason why I enjoy the setting so much. The Death Korps need more humanization, and these bittersweat and wholesome stories show exactly why that is. A beautiful story this was, even with the somber ending.

"I may die after this mission but the man behind me will surely take my place as her protector" -unknown Krieger

This is such a sad story... I honestly feel bad for the Death Korps at times. As each soldier, underneath everything, are still human

2:56- This moment got me. Even though his own discipline would not allow the Death Korpsman to accept the girl's gift at the time of the offering, the wind still guided the flower from her hand to his. I like to think that this was a small Miracle of the Emperor; an act of mercy upon this lonely, doomed son of His who must die to defend His Imperium, and a blessing upon him by allowing the kindness of this girl who will never know his name nor he hersto reach its destination. For tomorrow, this Son of Krieg is not merely a weapon to destroy the enemies of mankind; he is a true soldier because he has learned that there is something to protect. "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." G.K. Chesterton.

"It's a good day to die, when you know the reason why" the source of this line is meant to be parody but I feel it's actually alot more serious in this context. It may not be a good day, but atleast he knows why he must fight. To protect a the last shreads of innocence and happiness in this galaxy. So that hopefully one day all in the Imperium can be as kind, thankful and thoughtful as her.

Kriegsman: "We're just numbers, we're meant to be expendable" random girl with flowers: "Not to me"

For those we cherish, we die in glory!

Why are we so afraid of them, when they are here to save us? They really are the Emperors angels.

The graves of the warriors that have given their lives for the Emperor now outnumber the stars themselves.

Despite them being weapons for the Imperium to die for the Emperor, they are still his sons and daughters.

(starts crying) Who the fuck wrote this. He deserves to write a Warhammer novel

"I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend" J.R.R. Tolkein

"A strong man stands up for himself. A stronger man stands up for others." - Ben, Back at the barnyard

Krieger: "GUYS GUYS I GOT A FLOWER FROM A GIRL" Other Krieger: "Nonsense! Everyone knows flowers are a myth that Horus made up" Another Krieger: "Or worse, the Council of Autarchs!" All Kriegers shiver and make sign of the Aquila to ward of the bad luck made by mentioning the council of Autarchs , truly they are the true champions of chaos