The Hunter crept forwards toying with is prey now. He saw it more brilliantly than ever in this dark place, the soul flicker of the prey burning like a bright, shining beacon, calling out to him. He knew that he was a freak of nature, just an empty void in the otherworld. The arcane technologies of the Hunter’s creation made him into an ultimate weapon. Those who thought themselves ‘blessed’ by the ether were utterly powerless against his awesome malice. Slowly the Hunter moved towards his prey, but now he let his footsteps echo about the hall. He would savour the prey’s fear.

Broken and crying, Gareth von Brakken tried to turn as he heard the heavy footfalls of his unseen tormentor. As he looked up, he finally saw moving slowly out of the enshrouding darkness about him the thing that had haunted him; a grinning skull with a single blazing red eye that crackled with arcane energies as it neared him. Von Brakken let out a howling, terrified shriek before the darkness finally consumed him.

When von Brakken awoke, he found himself bound by iron manacles and laying in total darkness. He heard, rather than saw a heavy door swing shut and the armoured footsteps of a man draw near. He was still blind, the darkness surrounding him like a suffocating blanket.
“Tell me Witch, what was his plan for you.” The cold, uncaring voice asked von Brakken.
”Who’s plan?” whimpered von Brakken, “who are you?”
“Unlike Devius, I do not care for foolish games. Tell me about your true master or I will simply rip it from the depths of your unconscious mind.” The cold voice answer back.
“Why? Who are… no one was supposed to…”
“Then have it your way Witch.” answered the unseen interrogator. Von Brakken screamed in pain as he felt his unseen captor psychically tear into his unconsciousness and rip the knowledge it sought from his near-shattered mind.

Inquisitor Odion slowly rose over the prone form of the rouge psyker Gareth von Brakken. He had the knowledge he needed; he knew what his former master was now planning. As he turned to leave the cell, he felt the hateful crackle of the Hunter’s burning hunger upon him.

“As I said, he’s yours now.” The bale eye began to pulse and Odion felt his very soul shudder slightly at the creature’s obvious discontent. Cold sweat beaded his brow as he fought against the unnatural presence of the dread creature. “Do not worry. Soon I will deliver to you a far greater ‘offering’.” The Hunter shrugged, and stepped forwards towards the gibbering von Brakken. Devius, Culexus assassin leaned forwards over the psyker’s bound body, and savoured in the terror. Outside the cell, Odion reached out a hand to steady himself as he psychically felt the assassin leech von Brakken’s soul from his body. He still shuddered as he thought of the fate that awaited his former mentor, Inquisitor Liechtenstein.