The Krieger and the Flower | A Warhammer 40k Story

[@bazant12WE]

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

[@BaldPolishBiotechnol]

@@lugburz-shak4629 Heresy!

[@soup8315]

being able to give your life implies your life is yours to give.

[@bennyngxingzhi]

😭😭😭🫡🫡

[@Edaxidous]

🫡

[@traphimawari7760]

@@soup8315 but our life is the Emperors greatest gift, it is indeed ours therefore it is only right that we return the favor, you do have the option of keeping that life to yourself but tis but an act of cowardice, it puts the sacrifices of man and the slumber of our great Emperor for naught if no one will at least take up arms to protect that very sacrifice, it all may seem vain in the greater cause to some but what is a life after death of having done nothing in the plight of those who still suffer in world of the living, humanity didn't survive this long into the 41st millennium alone, it was done so together, be it the retaliation of the machine, the implosion of the warp, Horus heresy, mankind endures and will continue to do so under the veil of his Emperors hatred for the alien and his love for humanity all of it under his great ideologies and sheer will so do not think of your life lightly it is both a blessing and a curse and it is your choice alone as to what you will do with it but what is life free of anything if you aren't willing to sacrifice it for another not even the God Emperor can comprehend and so he still lives even as the only bridge that bind all humans scattered throughout the universe via the warp, do not take his sacrifice lightly... do not take your life lightly in the empire of mankind.

[@vibechecker3168]

"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.

[@radicalgremlin6440]

They are the Deadman so the imperium can have hope. The sacrifice to darkness so hopeless time may have some. Do not be grieved for the sons of Krieg. For they have found atonement in sacrifice. So may everyone who had died from that world be considered a saint.

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

Nicely made, bud!

[@IronStaff7]

That is such a wonderful sentiment. When you know, death could come to you at any moment you learn to enjoy the moments you have like a cancer patient in their final few months to live. The closer to death you are the more beauty you see in the world.

[@jocosesonata]

Wait, this is your original writing or from an official book? Because if it's the former... Goddamn, dude! Get yourself hired by GW! I want to see what you could do with a whole book dedicate to the Death Korps of Krieg.

[@zambekiller]

Krieger - Do not weep for us lamenter for we are nothing but walking corpses Lamenter - Not to me you aren't to me I see men and women willing to put down their lives in the name of what's right and to defend those in need were it possible I would make all of you lamenters for even in death you bring hope.

[@dont9915]

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

[@thedeadmeme7877]

i remember seeing a fan story where a crippled krieger is helped by a pretty girl and he straightens his posture and basically goes into high alert "for he had been trained to stand his ground in the face of anything anything resembling fear."

[@u.smccoolgeneral4539]

@@thedeadmeme7877Do you where I can find this story?

[@thedeadmeme7877]

@@u.smccoolgeneral4539 long running series on youtube. Simply called wh40k vs star wars

[@thedeadmeme7877]

Im not even a star wars fan but its so well written ive grown to like sw and the clone troopers. None of the hallmarks of bad fanfiction like self-inserts, op OCs, or random deus ex plotholes. Its so lovingly, incredibly competently written, with great knowledge of its source material. I dont read/listen to fanfic often but i highly recommend.

[@kriegertechpriest7011]

@@thedeadmeme7877 Same here, gimme gimme!

[@hungryfrog3605]

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.

[@highchairman6428]

Such sacrifices, remind me a lot of instances in real life. The saddest thing I believe is that most people can name their favorite celebrity in the entertainment industry... but nobody anywhere remembers the lives of those who sacrifice so they may have a future. The true soldier knows of their duty, and that is to protect their people. Need be sacrifice for the sake of a future for their people. Such are few, but those brave few go unremembered by most. The greatest of tragedies in my eyes that is constantly reminded of. In part, I believe that is why no better person would enlist, not only because of the corruption of elites who only seek to line their pockets and start conflicts for the sake of money and power, but because... nobody will remember you or care of your sacrifice. Few nations treasure their veterans, fewer remember their sacrifice.

[@jamie_d0g978]

Kriegs only hope and desire is to be a useful pawn sacrificed for the right cause.

[@tempest3394]

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

[@MrPikaGammer]

Not just that but the vast majority of Kriegers will never see 20.

[@tempest3394]

@@MrPikaGammer Another very sad fact people don't think of when discussing Krieg's soldiers

[@YOGI-kb9tg]

As cool as they look their lore in general is sad.

[@Bgh583]

Well..... that's up for debate, technically they are created in vats and tubes. So there is a argument to be made they don't have souls or even real humans.

[@MrPikaGammer]

@@Bgh583 Dude, we don't consider invitro-fertilized babies inhuman. Why would Kriegers be any different when they are just test tube babies? The Vita womb still requires a sperm and an egg to create an individual. It's why they vary in height and build, and that's why there is a height requirement to become a Grenadier. Each Krieger is a human with a soul and parents (who it will never know the identities of), just like me and you. They just came from a tube.

[@John-wf5dm]

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

[@inductivegrunt94]

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.

[@kostakatsoulis2922]

Honestly no they don't, they have the perfect amount of humanization for what they are and the realities of their existence. Any less and it'd be too over the top, any more and its just not the Death Korps anymore. By that I mean we get very occasional, even more rarely canon stories like this, following individual soldiers who break from the Krieger norm in the slightest of ways. That's fine, it makes them more fleshed-out and reminds you they really are human under the gas mask, but no more than that.

[@PondofPonds]

@@kostakatsoulis2922i agree with you the faceless soldiers fighting even when death is 100% is what makes them so lovable but every now and then they should get some humanizing stories to help bring more love to the korp

[@justiceforjoggers2897]

​@@PondofPonds They're test tube babies bred and born to slaughter in penance for a civil war they had to part in. I think the lack of humanity is their selling point.

[@worldwanderer91]

bro everyone in 40K is a certified psychopath who never know what it means to smile or be human

[@colson3050]

​@@kostakatsoulis2922I disagree. I think good writing could allow for more human stories of death koro without loosing the over all krieg feel and lore. Hell look at the clone wars style of humanisation

[@smittywerben7406]

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

[@screwistic]

Plo koon woukd be proud

[@Fact-fiend_1000ASMR.]

​@@screwisticOne of the greatest Jedi of the twilight years of the Order. Second greatest pilot in the galaxy, practictioner of Electric Judgement, and though it's not canon but I still prefer it, wielded an orange lightsaber.

[@Admiralkirk95]

"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.

[@caninelupus8369]

I'm curious, what's the source?

[@DrivewayToad]

@@caninelupus8369 It’s a song from Starship Troopers 3.

[@Admiralkirk95]

@@caninelupus8369That would be Starship troopers 3. There is a parody propoganda song where that's the main line of the song. If ya want to listen to it, that's pretty much the name of the song I believe.

[@olafgurke4699]

@@Admiralkirk95 That is such an unironical banger, too.

[@TheWiggleTuff]

Reminds me of “Left for Dead” a Krieg short story by Lyons. Essentially it’s about a Krieg who was the last alive amongst his squad. He didn’t desert, but he felt compelled to experience what they were dying for. I won’t spoil anything else except that it’s excellent and gut wrenching

[@deadgunslinger8489]

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

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

That would be the artist and one of the original commentors under the artword on deviantart!

[@mohammaddafiha9292]

Agreed

[@saipranavpalla1467]

I assume the Krieger nearly got corrupted by slaneesh

[@s0cc451]

​@@saipranavpalla1467 Slaanesh thrive in excess, Krieger barely have anything in excess except their number and artillery shells.

[@gehrmansparrow3563]

Writing a novel is a gruesome fate, no one deserves that

[@slimo1047]

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

[@YOGI-kb9tg]

While kriegsmen might all be clones they are still only human.

[@clintelkins9630]

While light years apart, all of humanity is family under the emporer, and he thinks of them as such.

[@theexiled4345]

Life is the emperor's currency spend it well

[@W47689]

FOR THE EMPEROR

[@thefancytiefling]

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

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

I still cry when he’s killed while singing the Tom Petty song 😢

[@SirTayluh]

"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

[@vibechecker3168]

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*

[@typicalmovie7329]

Brother?

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

Flowers Schmowers!

[@vibechecker3168]

@@typicalmovie7329 BROTHER!

[@Springtrap11556]

BROTHERS!

[@sonofjack6286]

4th Krieger: I think it's a sign of the Emperor blessing him.

[@LordCommander-ui2fw]

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.

[@rookie8633]

Under rated comment

[@jocosesonata]

Well, I suppose for the Krieg, it's a bit of both love and hate. Love for the God-Emperor, and Hate for the heretic, the mutant, the alien, and the forces of Chaos.

[@____Carnage____]

As ironic as it is the Emperor wants the best for all humans. But his Imperium has fallen from his vision and he must consume his kin to stay alive

[@thetau4866]

He will have a name.

[@TheEarlofBronze1]

Love seeing a G.K. Chesterton quote here. And I loved your comment

[@Jakob_Herzog]

For those we cherish, we die in glory!

[@Springtrap11556]

We die, so that they may live.

[@samuelevans738]

Lamenter located. Hail, hero of the imperium.

[@malocuillandre1344]

A fellow Lamenters enjoyer spotted!

[@TruckKun329]

No glory. Only death. No defeat. Only victory No cowardice. Only courage No names. Only soldiers No remembrance. Only to be Forgotten

[@Hoboman-1453]

This feels like the death korp’s creed

[@ultimatecraft1692]

“Be strong enough to be gentle.” - Larry Cullen, brother of Peter Cullen, the voice actor of Optimus Prime

[@jasonhenry8067]

Do not mistake weakness, the inability to cause harm, with goodness, the unwillingness to cause harm

[@GozuTenno962]

And that's what makes them human, no matter how much they were taught to be stoic, even they needed to hear some words of gratitude.

[@ERAA-on-YT]

"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.

[@WarriorLordOfAbyss]

It could be said about every person that has fought and died for a good cause. This story really helps remind that soldiers although trained in the art of killing, are just humans like us. A very poetic quote indeed

[@MrHouseparty6]

@@WarriorLordOfAbyss Do not send your boys away War lightly. I know you get it.

[@The13thRonin]

Do you think that bro had everything to tight?

[@GamerLife-mz5cy]

That line hits WAY too hard 😢😢

[@commandercritic9036]

The most dangerous man is one with nothing to lose, but also everything to gain, bro is going to fight like one of the Custodes in the coming battle.

[@shadowrodney]

It may be that all factions are evil in warhammer 40k, but that doesn't mean there aren't good hearted individuals still. One must not forget that while the darkness and cruelty of Humanity reigned over the Imperium, the hearts of mankind, just like the nature from which they came, also has the capacity for beauty, love and kindness. No matter how bleak the 41st Millenium may seem.

[@WieldingEminator]

“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

[@philipprudek9537]

"The only time a man may receive a flower is at his funeral"- a well fitting quote.

[@unfreezedfreezer9455]

some may even slip unnoticed

[@pupsuki7816]

This made me cry. I’m going to give a flower to every man I see on National Men’s Day. 😢

[@Matthew-zu6tm]

I used to work for a florist delivering flowers and told them the same thing. It wasn't an opinion either I showed her her own books as evidence.

[@SeanHartnett-t8c]

very true

[@clamheaven]

@@pupsuki7816​​⁠I don’t know anything about you, and probably never will, but you are the straw that broke my back, the straw that broke me to tears… you are the definition of sanctity, guileless, extravagance and innocence, I love you, and I will die for you, right hand to god, with paltry promises… I can’t think well in tears, I can’t write well in tears, I hope these trifling words can convey my obnoxious thoughts of true joy. Breaching my tears out sense 6 years, I love you, and I can’t say it more, as your vintage heart and hallowed soul charms me with an illusion, an illusion that tangled me in joy that I never felt, and never want to escape, my tears have nearly come to an end, so as this writing, I love you, and I will be your Kreiger with no hesitation, to preserve your true beauty…

[@thecinnamonguy5127]

Enemy destroys flower All the kriegsman-(zombies screech)

[@Callsign_Bear]

"A man does not fight because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."

[@injectionletal66]

whao...

[@patrickdees5256]

I can imagine it now: this Kriegsmen, who nearing death's door, and thinking "my duty is over". Only to see the single flower, and the image of that girl appears in his head. And as if through the Emporer's grace, this nameless, broken, and beaten Kriegsmen manages to gain a second wind. And continued the fight.

[@hammer1349]

There is nothing more dangerous than a krieger with something to fight for, or in this case someone.

[@Lilgaurdsman]

A man with no emotion nothing to give nothing to have still gives hope

[@moweu]

Literal child

[@Lilgaurdsman]

@@moweu my brother in Christ this is about warhammer 40k when did minorities come into you mind when watching this

[@moweu]

@@Lilgaurdsman saw your username and pfp

[@Wondrrboy]

“…If people like him existed in this pitiless universe, it was only to allow people like *her* to continue to exist.” Dang. That line goes hard.

[@alpinewolf7751]

A soldier might react with stoicism to an act of kindness like that, sometimes simply because we are not used to it and it surprises us. But every kind word, act and recognition of our willingness to stand between you and danger is very much appreciated, even cherished.

[@vladimirvojtaml]

It warms even the coldest hearts. Just one person appreciating the dedication and sacrifices that most people take for granted.

[@stevefromwork6136]

It is known and it is appreciated

[@pixelmuffet]

"You have the love of humanity in your hearts." ~ Charlie Chaplin

[@schmeatgaming853]

"You do not hate! only the unloved hate. The Unloved and the Unnatural!"

[@ashleytaylor7621]

"You are not machines! You are not cattle! You are men!"

[@ChucktheSpicyChicken]

Kriegers in the eyes of the community: haha german man likes shovel and sucide charging Kriegers in lore: the personefications of WWI as a whole (not just germany, hell most of their uniforms look like french ones) born no diffrent from machines. Sent to die and aton for the sins of people long dead and forgoten, dieing in billions for an empire held together by ductape, a religion based on a man who never wanted to be worshiped, and the most competint blue barry elf lover in the galexy.

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

YES

[@noctusfury6918]

Imagine the Emperor wakes up to find that there's a whole religion set to worship him: *Emperor:* "I took a nap and so many things have changed! Why is the Imperium in such a dismal state? And why am I being worshipped? I don't remember having created such a religion." *Inquisition:* "..."

[@ChucktheSpicyChicken]

@@noctusfury6918 hopfully, blue barry gorrila man would convince Big E NOT to repeat what he did to lorgars planet on the whole imperium. Also, im pretty sure the emperor knows about the religion thing, kinda hard to notice when your the strongest human psyker ever. That, and he probably read papa smurfs mind and found out that way.

[@Markosinkpen117]

​@@noctusfury6918BruvaAlfabusa's "If The Emperor has a Text to speech" comes in mind

[@venom0825]

​​@@noctusfury6918the emperor is aware how the imperium is currently, and he doesn't care. The religion has just become another way he can control it.

[@ace_the_race9340]

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

[@giacomoromano8842]

I am not crying, some eyes entered in my dust.

[@justyagre6296]

Was it Cadia?

[@Sikaz5119]

​@@justyagre6296☠️

[@Sikaz5119]

☠️​@@justyagre6296

[@1st_Trazyn_TheInfinite]

"In a world with nothing left to give, even the most minute act of kindness can bring the greatest joys."

[@TheReaper-ep2cq]

"If people like him existed in this pitiless universe, it was only to allow people like her to continue to exist." 5:23

[@TheCandidPygmy]

The Emperor protects, and He exists to protect people just like this. People with hope still in their hearts with the same steadfastness that a Kriegers shows fearlessness The Thorn exists to protect the Rose.

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

Very nice allegory!

[@TheWoodsman308]

By this point the only reason the Emperor had to become a god is so that men like this soldier can have an afterlife worthy of their service, knowing they did their duty well. Wow never had this many likes!!

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

The Emperor reluctantly becoming a warp god like the chaos gods so he can save the souls of the brave men and women and shepherd them towards their goal. The War for the Warp.

[@Joanropo]

@@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas The War for The Warp, this made me feel something I can't describe

[@johntheknight3062]

This is why I love the Guard. They are the real humans. No super soldiers that kill thousands of enemies and live forever. They are the average humans trapped in the hell of 40k before they vanish in some horrible way sooner or later. And they do what they do without any hope for things getting any better for them.

[@lordcommissarspartan]

This reminds me of another short story, or maybe it was a comic, of a Krieger getting a flower from a young girl, then weeks later the commissar questions why he has an old, dead, half ruined flower in his coat, and the Krieger said something along the lines of "It Improves Morale"

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

Nice! Might be another story based on this image, who knows

[@lordcommissarspartan]

@@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas Very likely

[@TimeCircleBlue]

“It reminds This Unit of its purpose, Sir.”

[@kriegertechpriest7011]

@@TimeCircleBlue That is a very good response

[@TimeCircleBlue]

@@kriegertechpriest7011 you know I meant for that to read like he was talking about himself (mentality of clone troopers but leaning ALL the way into the Meat Droid angle) but I now realize he could be talking about his platoon.

[@Princnemprah-mr6uk]

I wish we got more stories from the perspective of the Death Korps showing that there is more humanity to them.

[@radicalgremlin6440]

Agreed, I think it would be nice to show that even though they have no regard for their lives, there are still people. I like to imagine if the death korp was stationed on a world to rearm and had some time off, that say building caught fire or something like that happened. That a krieger would run in first. A sacrifice is a sacrifice. Even if he dies in the effort, he saved people and property of the imperium.

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

Aye, same here. They ARE human after all.

[@Princnemprah-mr6uk]

@@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas Exactly, I feel that a lot of people just see them as "Hur dur will fight a chaos marine in full power armor with a shovel" instead of tactically throwing their lives away instead (fucked up and grimdark is better than fucked up and grimDERP in my opinion.)

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

@@Princnemprah-mr6uk That scene of the krieger with the grenade and the csm is pretty baller though.

[@MrKnightslayer7]

The death Korp are seen as one of the darker legions! Are you prepared for the beauty and sadness to come!

[@noahboucher125]

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

[@clamheaven]

True sanctity, guileless, extravagance and innocence, with eyes glimmering so vividly showing its hallow, some might say we are charmed by an illusion leaving for such inadequate flesh, but to me, to us! We will gallop for this young, inadequacy! For its vintage heart, alongside its gentle soul! Death is nothing but a heinous deception! It’s more of a glorious redemption filled with oblivion! I shall fall, and another shall take my place! For the Emperor, for what’s behind us, if I forsaken my natural born protective beauty, who will gallop?! I will merrily gallop towards our demise, knowing my sacrifice is trifling, but our sacrifice will forever be remembered, good luck, and forget about me and my whole existence! I for real will do this IRL, just the imagination of dying for woman, saving them from the most revolting, foul, hideous, depraved pig that deprives their liberty, taints their hallowed body is enough to boil up my flesh! Why are woman so perfect, I really don’t understand?

[@Joseph116PZ]

Gosh. Theres a customer at my work, a girl my age, so kind and bubbly, compliments everyone around her and puts a smile on your face. Seen her twice now, and am sure she will come back. Very close to the girl in this story. Gosh… i feel like this Kreigsman.

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

WHOLESOME POSTING HOUR, LADS

[@actionman9451]

This is why even in the darkest of times there’s still some room for hope.

[@clamheaven]

Of course Woman 👩

[@thatkreigsman3421]

Even the damned must rest. Thank you for such a good video.

[@axios4702]

A reminder that most members of the Death Korps are teenagers around 15 years of age.

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

A boy's first and last love. A mere 2 glances.

[@thomaszhang3101]

Maintaining such stoic discipline is actually quite impressive for 15 year olds with developing frontal cortex.

[@axios4702]

@@thomaszhang3101 They are brainwashed from the moment they are borned, possibly even before, like the clones from Star Wars. Imagine living your life knowing from the moment you are borned that you have to make up for the sins of your treacherous ancestors. You would probably be disciplined too, if only to not further shame your world.

[@semperfi2014mn]

Hits different when you learn that the average Krieger is a teenager, maybe even younger.

[@Aguythatlovescentaura]

@@jamesward5721man, irl and in warhammer they have terrible luck

[@simplewrites]

The battle came. And all hell followed it. The nauseous smell iritated his senses despite his gasmask and the savage roars of the orks even more so. He was used to this. They all were. The ork horde has rampaged through a dozen smaller settlements already, dragging their army of a million sacks of green flesh across the Emperor's domain. No more. For hours now, the Basilisk batteries have hamered their ranks, blasting away soldiers and machines alike. Even still, the greenskins pushed forward, carried only by their primitive nature. Land mines answered their war cries and then volleys of heavy bolter fire from the entrenched Kriegsmen. They fell by their dozens, hundreds even. Yet they still persisted. He could, on some level, respect this. Their ferocity and stubbornes to keep fighting was not to dissimilar to the Kriegsman's mentality, alien and vile though it was. "Form a line!" the captain yelled as he drew his sword, "Afix bayonets! Repel!" 1491 grabbed his bayonet and right after he readied his lasrifle, he checked his left breast pocket. It was still there. Thank the Emperor. It's pink petals still contrasted his dark uniform. He was almost lost in a trance when the captain blew his whistle and the company ascended up the ladders. Las fire and sharpened steel met ork flesh in a mess of gore and screaming. 1491 knew that orks, despite their barbaric nature, were monsters on the battlefield that should never be underestimated. He fired his rifle at one of the orks, melting his face off. Another several shots tore through the other ork's throat. While he fired, he instinctively covered his left breast pocket. He was afraid. He needed to protect it. Focus, he kept telling himself. Focus! He saw his brothers overwhelm an ork with numbers and pierce his flesh. A Kriegsman to his left stood alone. And for good reason. The flamer in his hands spat sizzling prometheum that burned several of the greenskins to ash. Both sides were dying. Both sides enjoyed it. But while one considered it sport, the other thought of it as duty. And 1491 was still not ready. There was still so much more he could do for the Emperor. But these thoughts began to sink as large silhouettes walked through the smoke. More orks. But these were bigger with more armor and heavier weapons. They opened fire and the crude led shells tore through the company's ranks. The flame trooper managed to burn one but the other grabbed him by his head and crushed it. The ork threw his dead body as 1491 and they both fell back into the trench. Moments passed as tried to gather himself. His brother's headless corpse pinned him down. Pushing him aside, 1491 stood back up and checked his left breast procket. It was empty. No. No no no. Where it it? Where did it go? He frantically climbed back up the ladder. The carnage intensified. More orks were showing up and the other companies came for support. Strangely, he didn't care. He ignored everything and looked for the flower. He saw it, lying in the ash and mud, it's bright petals now dark and dirty. But before he could get to it, a group of orks and gretchin ran over it, crushing it and tearing it apart. A rage he thought he couldn't feel boilied inside of him. Glancing to his right, he saw his fallen brother's flamer. He dived for it and the greenkins ran after him. A mistake they wouldn't live to regret as 1491 burned them all to a crisp. Dropping the flamer he ran to the flower. He dug below the mud and ash. He dug and he dug and as he did a cry began escaping his eyes and lips. "Please," he spoke quietly, "Please don't die." He prayed to the Emperor. He prayed and hoped he would hear him, an insignificant soul on a backwater world, and answer him cries. And just as he began to lose hope, he saw a small hint of light in the ash. Below the muddied and torn flower was a petal. It was small and more white and pink. But it lived. It lived. He held it in his bloody hands as he stood back up and smiled behind his mask. This moment was short-lived as another wave of greenskins roared in the distance. He put the petal into one of his pouches and picked up the flamer. The other companies, his brother, stood beside him. All armed, all ready. The banner of Krieg stood proud in the wind and the Imperium's flag rose even higher. None flinched as the orks arrived. None dared to look away. None dared to break their oath. "For Krieg!" the colonel shouted at the top of his lungs. "For the Emperor!" the men yelled back and charged at the enemies of Man.

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

A worthy successor to the story! I'm definitely saving this one.

[@simplewrites]

@@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas my gratitude, brother

[@admiralglenn2323]

I saw that the second part of this was made from this comment, so I just had to track it down and give it a like. 😁

[@simplewrites]

@@admiralglenn2323 thank you very much, friend

[@admiralglenn2323]

@@simplewrites you’re very welcome pal😀

[@ultramarinechaplain88]

The 40k universe is so filled with mind boggling tragedy, and because of it has some of the most touching moments in all of sci fi. From the mighty primarchs, to the lowly kriegsmann, all tragic tales. It brings me to tears all the time. From the last stands, to a simple gesture of giving a smile and a flower to a soldier who is most likely moments away from death. No other universe comes close to 40k

[@miming3679]

"If people like him was allowed in this pitiless universe, it was only to allow for people like her to continue to exist." My heart 😭

[@erykrejner2528]

This is the power they hold over us. A cheerful smile, two words and a flower and we are all out of whack.

[@stevenrostek2788]

The power to burn the world, held back only by the gentle nature of a loving woman.

[@skylordthe1st]

That is such a sweet and humble little story

[@JopaJiaro]

Боже, это так проникновенно, это так впечатляюще, я просто не могу сдержать эмоций

[@thornmaker9390]

I can imagine a Kreigsman being a Perpetual, not knowing why he can't die nor stay dead. And this story happening to him, reigniting his valor and his self sacrificial ideas for Mankind.

[@stephenbyrne2170]

Love? In the 42nd Millennium? And I thought all that Mankind could comprehend in this grim dark future was hate, and anger.

[@chris.a_scififan4630]

This needs to be made into an animated short, with the right timings and music it would have such impact

[@Flannel-Channel8837]

"Though this lowly kriegsman, this number lay dead among his brothers and sisters. For a moment a single moment in his life he fought for something more then merely atonement. In this moment he was granted a revelation that few normal guardsman receive let alone korpsman. He realised that he and fellow guardsman dont just fight for atonement nor just for the emperor or the imperium. They fight for its people for Humanity itself. Despite his death, the kriegsman dies with a soft smile, comforted knowing there will always be those to fight and protect those he has died for"

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

🫡

[@blackknight-oz8bi]

The light of humanity shines in the most unexpected places and or people in this case

[@Kellethorn]

A fun concept to be sure. Well written and voiced as always. That said, if anyone knows anything about the training of the kreigers, they'll know... there's really nothing left in regards to emotion or humanity, and that's by design. Morbid stuff indeed.

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

Quite so indeed..

[@basimaziz]

This story feels very... natural. A column of men marching off to do their duty and fight. A woman showing gratitude with a flower for those heading for war. It's quite nice. Heheh... It's funny... I care so much more for these 2 characters that I barely know, than the overwhelming majority of Hollywood film characters in the last few years. Good work to the writer~.

[@clamheaven]

I don’t want to say Hollywood these days suck… But they suck

[@Spartan-703]

*Muffled crying from behind a gas mask* I’m not crying, it’s just corpse starch in my eyes

[@alessiodecarolis]

It's strange how Krieg 's soldiers share the same fate of SW's clone troopers, breeded only for wars, I can imagine how strange would be an encounter btw them, against a common enemy.

[@TimeCircleBlue]

Same. I know I’m supposed to hear German March music with krieg, but All I can hear is the Clone Theme from the show. Because really the basest description of both groups are almost the same. I think it’s their upbringing and socialization that separates them. Idk, I think about it sometimes.

[@kayvaanmcsharrowkyn6901]

AS AN ASTARTES, I FEEL NO FEAR.....BUT YOU REALLY HAD TO GO AND MAKE MY HEARTS FEEL "FEELINGS" DIDN'T YOU??? 😂😂😂😂

[@ul8532]

It isn't all that bad, it's better feel something than nothing at all 😅.

[@emberwood8606]

hope and joy offen comes in the most humble of things, a man with nothing can still give his life to save outhers.

[@JCRoberts]

My family on both sides are military of one branch or another. We don't retire there but we are there when needed. Have to say that really hit a spot for me.

[@thandokhan1962]

This hits deeper than I like to admit.

[@clamheaven]

Admit it, it made you cry once in 6 or 8 years, definitely not self reflecting! No noo no, not not not, Womp Womp. 😭😭😭

[@georgewagner1564]

That kriegsman obtained main character status by taking that flower

[@VenatariHendarian]

As the Krieg regiment marched, one stopped to notice a young teenager handing out flowers, he stopped to look at the flower, the girl’s mother tried to get her daughter away from the soldier.

[@joshuamee8047]

I love the end as to me it says I give my life so you may live life in all its beauty.

[@TheRipVanWinkle1899]

My favorite line from gaming is from Far Cry 5 "The demons he brought home from war consumed him... he thought he was a weapon, without a purpose."

[@clamheaven]

I don’t know who he is or was, but if this happened to him, that sentence would never exist.

[@TheRipVanWinkle1899]

@clamheaven wut

[@clamheaven]

@@TheRipVanWinkle1899 oh the guy you’ve talked about that thought he was a weapon with no purpose, if he could have this little interaction he will know his purpose is great, and that he matters.

[@WorshipperOfKhone]

Tzteentch is truly messing around with this poor Krieg soldier

[@MrPikaGammer]

Nah Big E was throwing him a reminder that there is good in this universe.

[@alexbioshock7632]

I think it was neither. I think it was the power of a human gesture towards an inhuman creature in nature.

[@jeffreylysen7647]

Bruh... That was an emotional five minutes

[@phreakazoith2237]

One has to realize that this young Krieger may never have seen a flower before. Maybe he does not even know what this delicate fragile thing of beauty is she tries to give him. And yet he is able to treasure the flower and her effort.

[@scrollkeeper5272]

40K stories like this are always special. They remind us that despite all of humanity's faults, it still has the capacity for compassion and joy.

[@tavorebisu]

Why does it have to be this beautiful

[@identity7536]

„To die so other can live.“ is what being a true soldier is to me. No glory, no heros. But a sacrifice of your own happiness to keep others from having their‘s taken away. That is what a soldier in the truest meaning should be. Not someone joining an army with illusions of glory and killing the bad guys

[@derrattenjunge]

She will remember the moment some time. But he will remember the moment forever.

[@ghostfoxundead7524]

“If people like HIM existed In this pitiless universe. It was only to allow people like HER, to continue to exist~” These two sentences carry so much weight.

[@SoloGhosty9838]

A story like this explains why Love, Death, Robots seems like liked, short stories with a mountain of backstory hidden away, only to show the present situation with a want for more about the characters and the world. Its amazing to hear a story about something so small and insignificant like an inanimate object or a flower may seem to others, but mean the absolute world to a few. “Im not crying, your crying”

[@cluelesspotato8945]

I said this about the laughing Kriegsman video, but I love them for their soullessness. But the idea that there’s still a soul in that canon fodder warms my heart

[@gamingrat842]

This is beautiful. Truly a masterpiece. What? I’m not crying, you’re crying.

[@WeDieStanding948]

I've never been offered a flower... Not that I'm jealous or anything! P.S excellent video!

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

🌼

[@WeDieStanding948]

@@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas I-is that for me... THANK YOU!

[@crusaders3756]

“N-Not that I’m jealous or anything, b-b-baka!”

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

@@crusaders3756 🌻

[@CeizoBro]

heres a bouquet for you my friend 🌻🥀💮🥀🥀💮🌻

[@Jorg-joestar]

Well damn, i sure as hell didnt expect that from a 40k video but that was a nice change of pace and a nice, yet brief, respite from the grim darkness of the 40th millennium

[@KaleRennhack]

This was an amazing voice over, not just because of the Krieg but your voice over skills sir. Truly you are very talented!

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

Thanks bud!!

[@kibbleofdoom]

I cannot speak to being anything like a krieger at all, but I did a few deployments on a submarine, a place where one feels as though they have been forgotten. We used to get letters from an elementary school and I'll not lie, I used to stare at those little letters a lot. One still stays with me, "I'm sorry you can't be home with your families". This story really captures that bittersweet feeling I got from reading those letters

[@CJ-uf6xl]

Really good short. Reminds me of a story from the WW1.

[@MoriaGecko1]

"The masks distanced their wearers, even from each other. In contrast to the other regiments with which Costellin had served, he had seen few strong bonds formed among Death Korps men. They trained, fought, ate, slept alongside each other, but there was no friendship, not a trace of camaraderie, between them. This was a regiment of strangers - and, as the years had gone by, Costellin had come to suspect that this might just have been the point."

[@thebro4299]

I love these Kreig story’s suggestion like this one the last kreiger

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

Still love that one

[@Prepare-uranus-]

"Marching in an irreproachable cadence like veritable *automatons* " ⬆➡⬇⬇⬇ *intensifies*

[@LethalOwl]

Some would say moments like this doesn't belong in the setting because it's "Supposed to be grimdark". I say these exceptionally rare moments of goodness and kindness against the overwhelming darkness and violence is what makes it grimdark. If it was all just anger, hate and violence 24/7 it would grow pretty stale pretty quick. Part of why the Salamanders and the Tau are among my favorites in the setting.

[@angelobrewster6293]

If only she knew that behind that grim gasmask, is the face of a young boy willing to die for his Emperor.

[@anaysankar6282]

If there two meet in some other peaceful universe.This moment would have been different

[@IfbbProRolandcHazard]

The simple thank you from the girl almost brought me to tears.

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

😉

[@hanz0109]

As a kriegsmen who has survived multiple battles. I can confirm that the flowers remind me of what I fight for. God bless the emperor and humanity

[@lelul3575]

Knowing the deathkorps he probaply would have been executet on the spot if he took the flower

[@ImpKnt80]

"And what happened, then? Well, in Whoknowsville they say - that the Krieger's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then - the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Kreiger found the strength of the ten guardsmen taking his place, plus two!"

[@dekaw9138]

0:22 I’m laughing at the idea of civilians being like “yay we’re gonna see space marines , oh it’s just kriegers, boring”

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

When seeing space marines, you see the emperor, his angels. When you see kriegers, you know that the likelihood of your planet surviving is slim at best.

[@dekaw9138]

@@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas honestly , from all the lore it seems like you have a worse chance if it warrants space marines

[@markopopovic9874]

​@@dekaw9138especially if it's the Grey Knights

[@A_Random_Death_KorpOfKriegsman]

An amazing story, I love to hear more of my fellow Death Korp of Kriegsmen :)

[@thegooddoctor8787]

The sad thing is, the girl offering that Krieger a flower was probably the first act of kindness, tenderness, or warmth he had ever felt in his life. It's no wonder the Krieger wanted to take the flower so badly, and no wonder that he was so haunted by it; for a child soldier raised without love or compassion on a world that hated him for a crime his ancestors committed, the very concept of kindness was anathema to him. For a man deprived of love, any act of warmth was unfamiliar, incomprehensible, and terrifying. How ironic it is, that a child in a dead god's war could face down countless incomprehensible horrors, yet an act of gentleness and warmth struck fear deep into his heart. Fear that he could be loved, fear that he could be valued, fear that his life was worth more than the blood he'd leave on the battlefield. He was afraid, for everything and everyone in his life had told him that he was not worthy of kindness, tenderness, or warmth, yet here was a beautiful girl, giving him a kindness that he did nothing to earn.

[@reedvo2683]

And thats it, yours was the straw that broke the camels back, i am now crying

[@tf2brothers1]

If i could identify beauty and peace as a video, it would most certainly be this one 😌 much love

[@ChaoticVoicesofAndreas]

Well cheers!

[@andreabloomfield4974]

5:33I sometimes wonder why people go to war then I remember this is what they’re fighting for.