BACKLIST

MoretalesoftheBloodAngelsfromBlackLibrary

DANTE

MEPHISTON:BLOODOFSANGUINIUS

SHIELDOFBAAL

LEMARTES:GUARDIANOFTHELOST

THEBLOODANGELSCOLLECTION

MoreWarhammer40,000storiesfromBlackLibrary

TheBeastArises

1:IAMSLAUGHTER

2:PREDATOR,PREY

3:THEEMPEROREXPECTS

4:THELASTWALL

5:THRONEWORLD

6:ECHOESOFTHELONGWAR

7:THEHUNTFORVULKAN

8:THEBEASTMUSTDIE

9:WATCHERSINDEATH

10:THELASTSONOFDORN

11:SHADOWOFULLANOR

12:THEBEHEADING

SpaceMarineBattles

WAROFTHEFANGASpaceMarineBattlesbook,containingthenovellaTheHuntforMagnusandthenovel

BattleoftheFang

THEWORLDENGINEAnAstralKnightsnovel

DAMNOSAnUltramarinescollection

DAMOCLESContainstheWhiteScars,RavenGuardandUltramarinesnovellasBloodOath,BrokenSword,

BlackLeviathanandHunter’sSnare

OVERFIENDContainstheWhiteScars,RavenGuardandSalamandersnovellasStormseer,ShadowCaptain

andForgeMaster

ARMAGEDDONContainstheBlackTemplarsnovelHelsreachandnovellaBloodandFire

LegendsoftheDarkMillennium

ASTRAMILITARUMAnAstraMilitarumcollection

ULTRAMARINESAnUltramarinescollection

FARSIGHTATauEmpirenovella

SONSOFCORAXARavenGuardcollection

SPACEWOLVESASpaceWolvescollection

Visitblacklibrary.comforthefullrangeofnovels,novellas,audiodramasandQuickReads,alongwithmanyotherexclusiveproducts

CONTENTS

CoverBacklistTitlePageWarhammer40,000ChapterOneChapterTwoChapterThreeChapterFourChapterFiveChapterSixChapterSevenChapterEightChapterNineChapterTenChapterElevenChapterTwelveChapterThirteenChapterFourteenChapterFifteenChapterSixteenChapterSeventeenChapterEighteenChapterNineteenChapterTwentyChapterTwenty-OneChapterTwenty-TwoChapterTwenty-ThreeChapterTwenty-FourChapterTwenty-FiveChapterTwenty-SixChapterTwenty-SevenChapterTwenty-EightChapterTwenty-NineChapterThirty

AbouttheAuthorAnExtractfrom‘ShieldofBaal’ABlackLibraryPublicationeBooklicense

WARHAMMER40,000

Itisthe41stmillennium.FormorethanahundredcenturiestheEmperorhassatimmobileontheGoldenThroneofEarth.Heisthemasterofmankindbythewillofthegods,andmasterof

amillionworldsbythemightofhisinexhaustiblearmies.HeisarottingcarcasswrithinginvisiblywithpowerfromtheDarkAgeofTechnology.HeistheCarrionLordoftheImperium

forwhomathousandsoulsaresacrificedeveryday,sothathemaynevertrulydie.

Yeteveninhisdeathlessstate,theEmperorcontinueshiseternalvigilance.Mightybattlefleetscrossthedaemon-infestedmiasmaofthewarp,theonlyroutebetweendistantstars,theirwaylitbytheAstronomican,thepsychicmanifestationoftheEmperor’swill.Vastarmiesgivebattleinhisnameonuncountedworlds.GreatestamongstHissoldiersaretheAdeptusAstartes,theSpaceMarines,bio-engineeredsuper-warriors.Theircomradesinarmsarelegion:theAstraMilitarumandcountlessplanetarydefenceforces,theever-vigilant

Inquisitionandthetech-priestsoftheAdeptusMechanicustonameonlyafew.Butforalltheirmultitudes,theyarebarelyenoughtoholdofftheever-presentthreatfromaliens,heretics,

mutants–andworse.

Tobeamaninsuchtimesistobeoneamongstuntoldbillions.Itistoliveinthecruellestandmostbloodyregimeimaginable.Thesearethetalesofthosetimes.Forgetthepowerof

technologyandscience,forsomuchhasbeenforgotten,nevertobere-learned.Forgetthepromiseofprogressandunderstanding,forinthegrimdarkfuturethereisonlywar.Thereisnopeaceamongstthestars,onlyaneternityofcarnageandslaughter,andthelaughterof

thirstinggods.

CHAPTERONETHEREDMIST

Already themorninggongswereringingwhenUigui thewaterseller rousedhimself foranotherdayofthanklesstoil.Uigui rose fully clothed, and went to empty his bladder into the home-made purification unit in thecorner.EverydropofwaterwaspreciousonBaalSecundus,whateverthesource.His single-roomed home held three cots, a table, the recyc unit and precious little else. Old transitpalletsheapedwiththreadbareblanketsagainstthecoldofdesertnightweretheirbeds.Onthewaytotherecycunit,Uiguipassedhisgreatburden,hisidiotson.TheboyhadgoneawaytotheChaptertrialsfullofhope,andcomebackminushiswits.‘Get up!Up!Up, you little fool!’Uigui kicked at his son’s booted feet.The boy thrashed awake andthrewuphishandsinalarm.Afrightenedfacepeepedoutbetweenfilthyfingers.‘Get up!’ growled Uigui. ‘Dawn’s coming – can’t you hear the Angel’s gongs?’ He looked out of awindowoflow-gradealabasterset intothewallofunpaintedadobe.Daybreakshouldhaveshonepinkthroughthestone.Insteadareddarknesslingeredoutside.Mostmorningswerecoldbutbeautiful,theskyflawlesslysmoothandtintedadeeprosebythelightoftheRedScar.Sometimes,thecolourswereenoughtostopUiguiandmakehimforgethowmuchhehatedhislife.‘Notthatyoucantell,’gruntedUigui.‘Redmist.Athickonetoo.’‘D-d-d-d-dowe-e-ehaveto,Da?’saidtheboy.Uiguilookedattheboywithclearhatredasheurinatedintotherecycfunnel.‘Y-y-yes!’hespatback,mockingtheboy’sstutter.‘Now,up!Ineedhelptofilltheflasks,agebecursed,orI’dturnyouovertotheEmperor’smercyandberidofyou!’Uiguiadjustedhisfilthyclothesandstamped,bowbackedandswaying,tothedoorofgappywoodthatseparatedthesingleroomofhishomefromthegoodsyardoutside.Heclutchedathislowerbackashereachedforthedoorhandleandrubbedfruitlesslyatthepaininhisbones,hismoodsouringfurther.‘Bekindertotheboy.Heismydaughter’sson,’croakedtheagedvoiceoftheroom’sfinaloccupant.Thecoverings on the third bed shifted, the lump beneath them growing thin arms and knotted hands as awomanevenmorewastedandhunchedthanUiguiemerged.‘Youowehimsomeloveforhermemory,if

youcan’tsummonsomefortheboyhimself.’Theoldwomancoughedhard.Phlegmrattledaroundherthroat.Uiguilookedatherindisgust.Herfacewasasdeeplylinedasthepitofafruit,asiftimehadrottedawaythepleasantouterflesh,leavingthebitter,craggyinteriorofhersoulexposedforalltosee.‘Where’syourdaughternow,youoldwitch?’hesaid.‘Dead.Deadandgone,leavingmewithafoolandacroneforcompany.’‘Youarecruel,’saidtheoldwoman.Clusteredcarcinomasblightedherface.Shehadonlyafewmoremonthsoflifeinher,buthereyeswerebrightandshrewd.Uiguihatedhereyesmostofall.‘TheEmperorwillpunishyou.’Uiguisnarled.‘We’llallstarvelongbeforetheEmperornoticesifyouandyourpreciousgrandsondon’trouseyourselves.Wemustbeatthegatesbeforetheyopenfortheday.’Thewomanshrankbackintoherblankets.‘TheRedMistishere.Youwillhavenocustomers.’Uiguirestedhishandonthepieceofscraphehadfashionedintothedoorhandle.Itwaswornalmostfeatureless. He had unearthed the metal in his youth from one of the moon’s ruined cities. Anunidentifiableartefactofthesystem’slostparadisalpast,itcouldoncehavebeenapieceofart,itcouldhavebeenacomponentfromawondrousmachine.Itcouldhavebeenanything.Nowitwasold,uglyandbroken,suitableonlyforthecoarsestwork.JustlikeUigui.‘Thenwewillstarve.Getup.Wegotowork.’Heflippedthedooropen,lettingitbangintothewalltoshowhisanger.TheRedMistwastheworsthe’deverseen:achoking,thickvapourladenwithsandparticles.OnlyonalowgravitylunarbodylikeBaalSecunduswassuchaphenomenonpossible,thoughUiguididn’tknowthat.Hisworldviewwasnecessarily limited.Whathesawwasaday’sbusinessruined.RedMistwasironsharpinsmellandtexture,asoupybrumethatlaceratedthenostrils.Hecoughedandpulleduphisscarftocoverhismouthandnose.Hehadnocliptoholditinplace,sohepressedittothecontoursofhisfacewithhislefthand.Thoughhishomewasmodest,his stockyardcontaineda fortune.Fourhuge terracottaurns, taller thanmen and toowide for the embraceof twopeople tomeet around, lined thewall.With suchwealth toprotect,thecourtyardwasbetterbuiltthanthehouse.Thewallswereofstone,notmudbrick,andhigh,thetopsstuddedwithrustyspikesandbrokenglass.Thegatewasdeliberatelysmall,triple-barred,platedinscavengedmetal,uponwhosepockedsurfaces themarksof theancientswerestillvisible,whenthelightwasright.Therewasnosun.Theearlydaywas taintedabloodymurk.Theurnswere loomingshapes, thewallinvisible.Theyardwaslittleovertwentyfeetsidetoside,buttheRedMistwassodensethatdayUiguicouldnotseeacross.Hepaused.AttheveryleastthefogwouldbefulloftoxinsgivenoffbyBaalSecundus’poisonedseas.Ifthesandsinthemisthadbeenpickedupoveroneoftheoldcities,theradlevelswouldbehigh.Uiguisupposedheshouldfetchhisrad-tickerfrominside.Frankly,hecouldnotmotivatehimselftoretrieveit.Hewasold.Adoseofradiationfromthebadlandscouldnotshortenhislifebymuch,andifitdid,whatofit?Hewastiredoflife.Itwashardandunforgiving.Sometimeshethoughtofendingitall,themisery,thegraft,thewearingcompanyofhissonandmother-in-law.HehadnoillusionsdeathwouldbringahappyafterlifeintheEmperor’scare;allhewantedwaspeace.He could not bring himself to do it. Themindlesswill of genes forced him to continue living,whichhedidbegrudgingly.Blinkinggrittymoisturefromhiseyes,heheadedfor the lean-towherehekepthiscart.Apairof tallwheelsbracketedtwocargobeds,oneabovetheother.Threedozenclayflaskswereoneachlevel.He

fetchedthefirstandtookittothetapattachedtothenearesturn.Tofillithehadtolethisscarfdrop.Thedustinthemisttickledhisnoseandheswore.Rustywaterranintothebottle,makinghimwanttopissagain.Hisbladderwasanotherthingthatwasfailinghim.‘Boy!Boy!Getouthereandhelpme!’The door creaked.Out came the oldwoman instead, her face veiled in the ridiculousmanner of herdeserttribe.Uiguishouldneverhavemarriedoutoftown.‘Where’sthatdamnboy?’growledUigui.‘Lethimbreakfast,youoldmiser,he’llbeoutinamoment.’‘He’sawasteoffoodandwater,’saidUigui.Heshutoffthetap,pressedthecapclosedonthebottleandfetchedanotherflask.‘It’snothisfault,’saidtheoldwoman.‘Ithinkweallknowthatit’stheAngel’sfault,’saidUiguiquietly.‘Hsst!’shesaid.‘Thatisheresy.Wouldyouleavehimwithoutafatheraswellashismind?’‘Hewenttotheirtrialsastrongyouth,andwasreturnedtomeafool.WhoelseshouldIblame?’‘Fate,’shesaid.‘Hewasnotmeanttojointhem,andheisgettingbetter.’‘Heisnot,’saidUiguisourly.Hesetthefullflaskintohiscart,andfetchedathird.The crone shuffled across the courtyard to the cart, her long skirts disturbing the moist sand of theground.There she stopped, but shedidnot help, onlywatchedhim, a judgemental phantom in the fog.Uiguigaveherafilthylook.Inhergnarledhandsasmallauto-tarotdeckmadeitstooth-grindingclicks.Shepushedthebuttonattheside.The tilesbehind itsscratchedviewingpaneclattered intoplace.Shestudied the littlepicturesonthemamoment,thenpressedthebuttonagain.Thenagain.Uiguifoughttheurgetostrikeher,toknockthetarotfromherhandandcastherout.ThetarotwastheinstrumentoftheEmperor.Evenhebalkedatsuchblasphemy.‘Helpme,then,’hesaid.Hesquintedatthesky.‘Thesunisrising.’Thefogremainedasthickasever,butthelightbehinditwasgettingstronger.‘Wearelate.’Theoldwomanhookedhertarotdecktoherropebelt,tookaflaskupandwenttothesecondurn.‘Todayisadayofgreatportents,’shesaid.‘Yousaythateveryday,’saidUigui.Thewomanshrugged.‘Todayitistrue.’‘Nonsense,’hesaid,buthewaswaryofwhatshesaid.Shehadaknackforreadingthetarot.Hehalfbelievedshewasawitch.Intruth,hewasfrightenedofher.Heslammedthelatestfilledflaskintothecarthard,makingtheothersrattle.‘Whereisthatboy?’

Theboypushed the cart.At leasthewasgood for that.Uigui and theoldwomanwalkedbehind.Theflasksknockedandclinkedintheirtrays,warningotherstheywerecoming.Itwasagoodadvertisement,butunderthecoverofthefogthenoisemadeUiguinervous.ForallthatAngel’sFallwasunderthedirectadministrationoftheBloodAngels,therewasalwaysthepossibilityofrobberyonadayofmist.TheymetnomisfortuneastheywalkedthestreetfromWaterer’sRowtowardstheSanguinianWay,thesmallcity’smainstreet.Therewerepreciousfewpeopleabout.Thosefiguresthatappearedsuddenlyoutofthemurkwereswaddledheadtofoot,andjustasquicklydisappeared.‘Quicker,boy,’grumbledUigui.‘Wewantagoodspot.Iwanttogettherebeforetheyareallgone.’TheyturnedontotheSanguinianWay.AtitsfarendwasthePlaceofChoosing,wherethegiantstatueoftheGreatAngel spreadhis arms andwings to face the eastern sky. Immense thoughSanguinius’ effigywas,thefogobscuredittotally.Withthemajesticstatuehidden,thecramped,lowbuildingsthatmadeup

Angel’sFall seemed ruder than ever. It did not look like a holy city.The fog forced attentiononto itsinadequacies. Even the Sanguinian Way was meanly proportioned, and crooked. Without Sanguinius,Angel’sFallcouldhavebeenanytownonanybackward,aridworldinthegalaxy.Gongsboomedfromunseentowers,signifyingthestartofthePeacedaymarkets.Onlyahandfulofstallshadbeensetupattheroadside,andfoottrafficonthewaywaslow.UiguireckonedvisitorstoAngel’sFallwouldbefewerthanusual,thoughtherewerealwayssome.TheRedMistdiscouragedtravel.Notonly was it toxic, but Baal’s violent wildlife hunted under its cover. He cursed his luck.Water wasexpensivetoboththebuyerandtheseller.Thepricehe’dgetforhisstockbarelycoveredthecost,andheoweda lotofmoney toAnton the reguliser.Anton tookpromptpaymentofdebtsveryseriously.Uiguirubbed at the stumpof his left little finger, a reminder of the last timehe’dbeen latewith a payment.Antonhadbeennothingbutapologetic;hehadsaidhehadnochoice.Uiguithoughttheywouldhavetostayoutlate,sellingtopeopleexitingthecitytotravelinthecoolofthenight.Assuming themist lifts today at all, he fretted. Such a fogwas rare. Baal Secundus’ principalweatherswerewindandduststorms,buttherewasnotabreathofabreezetoday.‘Thisweatherisunnatural,’hesaid.‘Adayofportents,’saidhismother-in-lawinsatisfaction.‘Shut up,’ he said. ‘It’s just a day.Boy.Here.’Uigui pointed out a patch of ground in the lee of theTempleoftheEmperor.Thetempleoccupiedawholeblockbyitself,andanotherofAngel’sFall’smajorstreetsintersectedtheSanguinianWaythere.‘Thiswilldo.’Thegongscontinuedtoring.‘Whyallthisracket?’Uiguisaid.‘Happenings.Baalforahasmuchinstoreforustoday,’saidtheoldwoman,usingthelocalnameforBaalSecundus.Shesettledherselfdown.Herjointsgrumbled,andshegrumbledbackatthem,forcingheroldlegs to cross. Upon skirts held taut between her knees she set her tarot deck and began repetitivelyclickingattheworkings.Uiguibaredhisteethather.Hetookouthisirritationontheboy.‘Comeon,boy,setoutthetable!Wherearethecups?BytheEmperor,we’dalldieifyouwereinchargehere!’‘S-s-s-orry,father,’saidtheboy.‘Don’tcallmethat,’hesaid.‘Mysonisdead.Stolenbyangels.ThereisnoonetoinheritmybusinessonceIamgone.Donotpresumeyourplace.’Theboybowedhisheadtohidehistears,showingtheuglyscarrunningacrossthetopofhishead.Uiguihatedthesightofthatmostofall.HewassurehadhisboynotfallenhewouldbeupthereonBaalasawarrioroftheEmperor.Hestaredatitastheboysetupthelittletablethatfoldedoutfromthesideofthecartandputoutasetofsmallbronzecups.Somethinglikegriefhurthim.Herespondedwithanger.‘Quicker!’hesnapped.Thegongswerestillbooming longafter theyshouldhavestopped.Hesquinted into thedimmorning.Therewasanothersound,adistantrumbling,undertheclamourofthegongs.‘Whatisthat?’hewhispered.‘V-v-voidships?’venturedtheboy.‘Silence!’snappedUigui.Butevenashisangerflewoutofhismouth,hethoughttheboymightberight.Angel’sFallwasnostranger to theshipsof theAngels.Therewereoffworlders too,whocametopaytheirrespectstotheplacewhereSanguinius,purestoftheEmperor’sprogeny,wasdiscovered.Butrarelydidtheyarriveinsuchnumbersthatthesoundoftheirdescentwassoconstant.Uiguiheardthecrunchofheavyfeetonsandcomingdowntheway.Hesworeathimself.Angels.Theywouldhavenouseforhiswater.‘Bow!Bow!’hehissed.Hedroppedhishead,andforcedhisidiotsontokneel.

Ahugearmouredfigureemergedfromthemurk.Armourblack,hishelmcastintheshapeofaskull.ASpaceMarinepriest,deathincarnate.Uiguitrembled.Hedroppedtohiskneesinfright,waitingforthefiguretopassby.Hedidnot.Thefootstepsstoppedbythelittlecart.UiguifelttheAngel’sregarduponhim.Hisbladdertwingedyetagain.‘Be at peace, blessed son of Baal Secundus,’ said the warrior. His voice was inhumanly deep andthicklyaccented.Uigui lookedup.Thegrimacingskullglareddownathim.Breathinghoseswereclampedbetween itsstylisedteeth,andeye-lensesofglowinggreensetbelowtheangrybrow.ThearmourhissedandwhinedinresponsetomicroshiftsintheSpaceMarine’sposture,makingUiguimoreafraid.Thewarriorlookeddownbothstreetsofthecrossroads.‘Thegreatsquare.Whereisit?’Thoughmade hollow and booming by its projectionmachinery, thewarrior’s voicewas kindly. StillUiguicouldnotseepasttheterriblevisagegloweringathim.Hestareddumblyback.‘Waterseller,Imeanyounoharm,’saidtheAngel.‘Icometopaymyrespectstomylord.Whereishisstatue?’Uiguitrembledandflunguphisarm.Heintendedtosay‘Thatway,mylord!’Astrangledmewlcameoutofhismouthinstead.‘Mythanks,andmyblessings,’saidtheChaplain.‘TheEmperorkeepyou.’Heglancedupatthegreattemple,thenstrodeaway.‘W-w-whydoeshenotknow?’saidtheboystupidly.‘Idonotknow,’saidUigui.Stilluponhiskneeshegazedfearfullyatthedepartinggiant.‘M-m-m-more!’saidtheboy,andshrankbackbehindthecart.Uiguifollowedhisson’swaveringfinger.MoreSpaceMarines,dozensofthem.Uiguihadneverseensomanyatonetimeandhisbodyshookinterror.Theywalkedpast,armourdullinthefoggydaylight.UiguicouldseeclearlyenoughtoknowtheywerenotBloodAngels.Theirarmourwasadorned inasimilarmannertothatofthemastersofBaal.Theheavyplateswerebeautifullyformed,coveredinscrollworkanddelicateembellishments,anddeckedwithbloodstonedripscasedingold,buttheredoftheirarmourwasanunfamiliarhue,theirhelmsandtrimwerewhite,andtheirmarkingswerestrange.Uiguiwatched, amazed, as the columnofwarriorsmovedby in solemn silence,voicelessbut for thegrowlsandhumoftheirarmour.ItwasnotunusualtoseeotherangelsclaimingdescentfromtheGreatAngelinAngel’sFall,butonlyinonesortwos.Whenasecondgroupinyetdifferentcoloursmarchedby,thesearmouredhalfinblackandhalfinbloodyred,Uigui’smouthfellopen.Thegongsboomed.Outsidethewall,theroaringofbrakingjetsgrewlouder.‘Th-th-there’shundredsofthem!’stutteredtheboy.Foramoment,Uiguiforgothisanger,andputhisarmaroundhisbrokenson.‘W-w-w-whysomany?’theboysaid.‘Theycometopayrespecttotheirfather.Theycometopray,’saidUigui.‘Itisamarvel.’Theoldwomanchuckled,alowgrowlingsoundlikeafelidabouttobite.Thetarottilesrattled.‘Whatisit?’Uiguisaid.Theoldwoman’ssmilewasevidentinhervoice.‘Theburningtower,thebloodyangel,thefallingstar,thefounderedvoidship–thesearefellsigns.’Uiguilookedsharplybackather.‘Whatdoyoumean?’Theoldwomanregardedhimthroughtheclothofherveil.‘Theyarenotcomingheretoworship,youfoolishman,’shesaid.‘Theyhavecomeheretodie.’

CHAPTERTWOTHECOMINGSHADOW

AcrossthecentraldeepsoftheUltimaSegmentumtheRedScarspreaditssanguinepall.Astellardeserttintedbloody,hardand inimical toman.Thesuns imprisonedwithin itsboundswereall red incolour,whethersenescentsupergiantsorearlysequenceinfants.Deadlyradiationbathedthisbenightedsubsector,renderingitsworldsuninhabitablebyanysanemeasure.TheImperiumhadlongpassedthepointofsanity.Perhaps because of their situation, the planets of the Scar were rich in exotic resources, and sogenerationsofhumanityhadlivedoutbrieflivesunderbalefulstars,toilingatthewilloftheHighLordsof Terra. Sustained by elixirs manufactured on Satys, the inhabitants of the Cryptus, Vitria and othersystemsafflictedbytheScar’spoisonlivedalife,ofsorts,inserviceofthespecies.Againstalltheodds,byhumaningenuityandforhumangreed,therehadbeenbillionsofhumansintheRedScarregion.Soitmighthavebeenforgenerationsmore,butnothingispermanentandmankindnolongerheldsway.ThetyranidshadcometotheScar,scouringeveryworldtheyencountereddowntothebedrocktofeedanancientandpowerfulhunger,extirpatinghumanityintheprocess.TheinvaderwasHiveFleetLeviathan,byImperialdesignation,thoughthegoverningintelligenceofthehivemindmadenosuchdistinctionsbetween thecomponentpartsof itsbody.To its incomprehensiblyvastintellect,Leviathanwasalimb,afootoranarm.IfthehivemindregardedLeviathanasdistinctfromtheotherfleetsdevouringthegalaxyinsomeway,itwasbycategoriestooalienformentounderstand.From across the cold gulfs of intergalactic space the hive fleets had come,moving fromone feedinggroundtothenext.Thehiveminddidnotknowanddidnotcarewhatitsfoodcalleditself,butnoted,initsalienway,thestrangenessofthisprey-cluster;anenvironmentwheretherealitiesofthemindandformwere intermingled.Therewas risk there, butgoodhunting in thedangerous shoals.Thegalaxy teemedwithlife,andthehivemindglutteditselfonastaggeringarrayofbiologicalabundance.Fromthehumanpointofview,thetyrannicwarshadragedforclosetoahalfmillennium.Inthattime,hundredsofImperialworldshadbeendevoured.Severalminorraceshadbeenconsumed.Thousandsofunknownplanets outside the Imperium’s notice had been turned from living orbs to rocky spheres that

wouldneverbearlifeagain.HadtheHighLordsofTerraknownhowdevastatingthetyranidstrulywere,theymayhaveactedsooner.LikethemythicalplaguesoflocustsofOldEarth,thetyranidsstrippedeverythingtheycameacrossbare.Witheachfeastthehivemindbecamestronger,absorbingthegeneticprofilesofeverythingitdevouredandaddingtheirstrengthstoitsown.Witheverynewcreatureeaten,itsrepertoireofgenetictricksgrew.Whenitencounteredathreat,itadapted.Itsmethodsbecamemoreefficient,itsfleetsmorenumerous.Itscreatures proliferated and multiplied, the essences of the galaxy’s worlds converted into yet moreelements of the never-ending swarms. So overwhelming was the threat it posed, the race had beendeclaredPericuloSummaMagna,andwasdeemedbymanydepartmentswithin theImperium’shigherechelonsasthemostseriouschallengetomankind’scontinuedexistence.Theywerewrongaboutthat,butonlybyalittle.Theseweredangerousyears,wellblessedwithhorrors.Nevertheless,thehiveminddidnotadvanceunopposed.Therewerebravemenandwomen,heroesall,whostoodagainstitnomatterthattheoddswereimpossible,anddeathwastheironlyreward.Imperiallossesweremany.Victorywasrare.AtmanyjuncturestheBloodAngelsSpaceMarineshaddefiedHiveFleetLeviathan, stealingaway its food,and in somecasesdestroying its splinter fleets intheirentirety.Thehivemindrespondedtothemasitdidtootherthreatsintheprey-cluster,creatingnewbeaststobeatthedefencesofitsprey,improvingthoseitalreadypossessed,anddevisingnewstrategies.All to no avail. Though pushed back, the red prey warriors fought on. At Cryptus the Blood Angelsperformedonelastsupremeeffort,destroyingatendrilofthegreaterwhole,intruthatrivialvictoryatthecostofarichsystem.Nothing could halt Leviathan’s encroachment on the Red Scar. After Cryptus there was Baal, homeworldoftheBloodAngels,lyingdirectlyintheswarm’spath.Thiswasnotaccidental.ThesagesoftheImperiumthoughtthehivemindanon-sentientintelligence.Theybelievedtheactionsofthe myriad creatures in its swarms were performed instinctively, and that the sheer numbers ofinteractions between them gave rise to complex behaviour.At the very highest level these behaviourswere remarkable, butonlyhad the semblanceof thought.Ultimately instinctdrove thehive fleets, theysaid,notfreewill.Similarfalseintelligenceshadbeenwitnessedsoverymanytimesinsocialanimalsacrossspace,afterall, fromtheantsofancientEarth to the thought-treesofDemarea.Thehivemind’sactionscouldbeascribedtosentientconsideration,butthesagesinsistedtheywerenothingofthesort.The biologans held the hivemind to be only a complicated animal, a supreme predator driven by adevastatingly powerful reactive mind, nevertheless devoid of soul. It was an automaton, they said.Unfeeling.Itwasasunawareofwhatitdidasthewindisunawareofthecliffwhosefaceitscoursaway,grainbygrain.Thehivemindwasbiologicalmechanicswritlarge.Mindfrommindlessness.TheImperialscholarswerewrong.Thehivemindknew.Thehivemindthought, itfelt, ithatedanditdesired. Its emotions were unutterably alien, cocktails of feeling not even the subtle aeldari mightdecipher. Its emotions were oceans to the puddles of a man’s feelings. They were inconceivable tohumanity,fortheyweretoobigtoperceive.ThehivemindlookedoutofitsinnumerableeyestowardsthedullredstarofBaal.Itapprehendedthatthiswasthehiveofthewarriorsthathadhurtitsogrievously,whohadburneditsfeedinggroundsandscattered its fleets. Ithated the redprey, and it coveted them.Tasting their exoticgenomes ithad seenpotentialfornewandterriblewarbeasts.Andsoitdrewitsplans,anditsetinmotionitstrilliontrillionbodiestowardstheconsumptionofthecreaturesinredmetal,sothattheirsecretsmightbeplundered,andreemployedinthesatingofthehivemind’sendlesshunger.Thiswasdeliberate,considered,anddoneinmalice.

Thehivemindwasaware,anditdesiredvengeance.

CommanderDantewalkedtheArxMurus,thegreatencirclingwalloftheArxAngelicum,astheBloodAngelsfortressmonasterywasknown.TheDomeofAngelswasclosedagainstthecomingwar.Itshugearmourglassblisterrosegentlybehindhim–severalsquaremilesoftriangularpanessparklinginBaal’smiddaysuncappedtheArxAngelicum’sancientcalderainimpenetrablediamond.TheArxwasadouble spikeofdark rock that stoodalone in the sandsof theEndlessDesert.Of theprimalformofthevolcanoithadbeen,littleremained,forithadbeencarvedintosomethingmorefittingfor thedwellingofAngels longago.The fires in itsheartwereextinguished.Where lavaonce flowedSpaceMarinesheldcourt.Atrainedgeologianwouldhaveguessedatitsnaturalshape.Butthoughbothpeaks had been thoroughly remade by the hands ofman, a hint of their origins remained; for all theiradornmenttheirbaseformwasthatoftwincones,onesmallerthantheother,theirthroatsopentothesky.Ineveryotherway,theArxAngelicumwastheworkofmankind.ThecalderarimhadbeenremadeintothehighwallsoftheArxMurus,thebroadandmightywall-walkbrokenbythemanytowersoftheBloodAngels’ sub-orders. Themurus plunged forty sheer yards to the uppermost of a series of tiered firinggalleries that, reinforced by towering redoubts,marched belligerently down to the sand. From towersshaped as gaping angels’ faces or screaming eagles the muzzles of defence lasers and macrocannonsaimedattheever-presentthreatofthevoid.Other,smalleroutcropsaroundtheArxhadbeenrefashionedintotowersandsquatfortsbearinggunsbigenoughtodownavoidship.Thefuryoftheworld’sheartthathadboiledwithinthevolcanoesmighthavegone,butadifferentragehadtakenitsplace.ToDante’srighttheHeavenwardRedoubt,thefortressmonastery’skeep,swelledoutoftheinnerwall,the skull-faced Citadel Reclusiam atop it squatting athwart the wall-walk, beyond which the cursedTowerofAmareospearedthesky.Theuppermosttowersofthelibrariusfringedthewallsonthefarsideof the Dome of Angels, while the Sanguis Corpusculum, the bulwark domain of Corbulo and hisSanguinary priests, thrust up from the lesser peak, its flat head joined to the main wall by a broad,armouredbridge.The interior of the volcano was as heavily transformed. The throat had been widened to the samediameterasthegiantlavachamberbeneathit,sothattheflooroftheArxwasmanystoreysbeneaththelevelofthedesert.Theinnerwallshadbeensmoothedandcarved.Buttressesfashionedasgiantangelsringed the interior,and thewallsbetweenwerepiercedwith thousandsofgleamingwindows.Allwasdonewithexquisite care, andgloriouslyembellishedwith stoneandmetal.When the starBalor shonedirectlyoverhead,thethroatsoftheArxblazedwitharubicundrefulgence,dazzlingthoseluckyenoughtowitnessit.TheArxAngelicumwastrulyamongthemostbeautifulfortressesinallthegalaxy.Towardsthebottomoftheshaftthetieredstepsofthefortressexteriorwererepeated,butthesesproutedwithgreenery,notguns–theVerdisElysia,themarvellousfarmlandswheretheBloodAngelsgrewtheirfood, and parklands that preserved the fragmentary remains ofBaal Primus’ andBaal Secundus’ oncevibrantecosystems.Baalhadforeverbeenadesertplanet,butnotitsmoons.Theirtoxicwasteswereofman’sdoing.Baal’scloudlessskywasbusywiththecrossedcontrailsoflandingcraft.Shoalsofblunt-nosedSpaceMarineattackcraftcrowdedtheplanet’sanchorages.Dozensofbattle-bargesformedthenexusoffleetsarrayedincrampedformation.Thelargestofthevesselsweremileslong,andclearlyvisibleattheheightofdayaspale,dream-likeshapes.Theirattendantescortswerealbedophantoms,andthesmallestwerebrightstarsmovingrapidlyindenseclusters.BaalSecunduswasrisinginthewest,BaalPrimussettingin

theeast–thetworarelysharedthesamesky.Forshame,locallegendhadit.Baal’smoonswereclosetotheirmotherplanet,andlarge.Thearcsoftheirspheresframedtheactivityinorbit,butlikeapictureoverfullwithdetail,thegatheredfleetsoftheBloodAngelssuccessorChaptersspilled out from the gap between themoons andBaal’s horizon, and the blocky shapes of their shipsswarmedoverthemoons’surfacesalso.Giant,man-madeobjectssailedoverthemottledpatchworkofdesertand toxicseasofBaalSecundus,while theuglyscarringofBaalind’sNecklaceonBaalPrimuscaughtflightsofsupportcraftintheringsofitscraters.Activityinthevoidwasmirroredontheground.Machineryrumbledallaroundtheextinctvolcano.ThepeaceofBaalhadfled into thedeeperdeserts.Dunes thathad lappedat thefeetof theArxAngelicumwere being bulldozed away, uncovering structures abandoned after the sundering of theChapter in themythicalpast.Once,thefortressmonasteryhadbeenevenmoreexpansive.ItsurprisedDantetoseehowmuchhadbeenlefttothesandsbyhisforebears.Throughouthisthousand-yearreignasChapterMaster,relicsofancienterashadoccasionallybeenuncoveredbypowerfulstorms,offeringglimpsesintothepast.DespitehisdeepknowledgeoftheChapterrecords,theouterfortresswaslargelyunknown.ToseeuncoveredlandingfieldsthrongedwithwarriorsandmachineswasasifthedaysoftheGreatCrusadelivedagain.Dante had led hiswarriors longer than any otherman in the Imperium. Indeed, therewere very fewhumansolderthanhe.Amongallmankind’strillions,hadeverypersonapproachingDante’sagegatheredtogether,theywouldhardlyfillastrikecruiser.HehadknownthatLeviathanwascomingforsometime.HiseffortsatCryptuswerehislastchancetodelay.OnlyatBaal,onlyhere,couldthevasttendrilthathadravagedtheRedScarperhapsbedestroyed,andonlybytitaniceffort.DantehadcalleduponalltheChaptersoftheBlood,allthoseSpaceMarinesthatsharedSanguinius’heritage,andtheirwarriorshadcomebythethousand.AssoonashesentouthispleaforaidtothesuccessorChaptersoftheBloodAngels,Danteorderedagrandschemeofworksbegun,settingtheChapter’sbloodthrallsanditscohortsofservitorsthetaskofpreparing for the gathering host. For miles around the Arx Angelicum they had dug into the ground,pushing back the desert, in some places excavating far down to where the sand had begun its slowtransformationintostone.Intheprocesstheforgottenstructureshadbeenuncovered.Bunkers,towers,andacirclingwallmarkedonnoneoftheancientmapswereunearthed.MostofthestructuresoutsidetheArxAngelicum were useless ruins, foundations filled with rubble and rough lumps of metal melted inforgottenbattles.Buttherediscoveredwallitselfwasviable,anunexpectedbulwarkagainstthecomingthreat.Dantewastoowiseamantoseethewallasasign.Itwascoincidence,andtheextraprotectiongavehimlittlecheer.Teams ofmortals rebuilt thewall as hewatched.Within its circuit sheltered the arriving host.Agedrockcretelandingfieldsfreedfromthesandwereonceagaininuse.Hundredsofcraftlayinneatranksradiatingout fromnewly erected commandcentres, their formationson thegroundmaking interlockingcirclesofred,black,whiteandgold.TherewerethousandsuponthousandsofSpaceMarinesonBaal.ToaccommodatethemthedeepesthallsoftheArxAngelicumhadbeenthrownopen.BuiltforaLegion,thefortressmonasterycouldhavehousedtwentyChapters,andnowitwascalledupontodosoagain.Evenso, therewas not enough space for all the newcomers, and barrack houses interspersed the commandcentresdottingthefields.The number of brother Chapterswas impressive, a portent of victory, the rash said. The assemblingbattle-brothersdrewstrengthfromthepresenceofsomanyotherslikethemselves.AmongthewarriorspresentwerethousandswhohadneverbeentosacredBaal,whoseonlycontactwiththefatherChapter

wereinfrequentandresentedvisitsfromtheBloodAngelsHighChaplains.Theirwayswerestrangetothose of theBloodAngels, andmanyweremarkedly different in appearance and behaviour.AlthoughnonebuttheBloodAngelscouldlayclaimtobirthonthetripleworldsofSanguinius’finding,andwerethusnotofthesacredTribesoftheBlood,ultimatelytheirgene-seedderivedfromSanguinius’.Allwereof his lineage, and bonds more terrible and deeper than those between any other Chapters existed.BrotherhoodspreaditswebacrossBaalmoretightlythanatanytimesincetheEmperorwalkedamongmen.YetthisdidnotbringDantejoy,either.A long line of transports flewdown from the fleets, stacked up so far that the hindmostweremotileglints.Gunshipsandlifters,lightersandbulklanders,conveyedanendlesslineofmaterieltothespiritualhomeofSanguinius’sons.AscoreofChaptersemptiedtheirships’holdsofweapons,tanks,ammunition,andmore.Thesupplieswerewelcome.Athirdwallwasbeingerectedoutbeyondtheunearthedsecond.Thislastwasofthelow,prefabricatedsegmentsallSpaceMarineChapterswereequippedwith.MorewerebeingmadeasDantewatched.Auto-castelatorsscoopeduphugebucketsofsandanddumpedthemintohopper-mouldsontheirtrailers.Withgreatheatandpressurethesandwascrushedintoshape.Fresh,steaming segments of defence linewere dropped onto the desert to be dragged into place bywaitinghaulers.Formationsofvehiclesinvariedshadesofredwereparkedaroundthemonastery.Downaislesformedofslab-armouredtanks,hundredsofTechmarinesfromacrossthegalaxywalked,sharingtheirideasandexperiencewitheagerlisteners.DantekepthisprogressslowaroundtheArx,sothathemightbetterseethehostofAngels.Balor,Baal’slarge,rubysun,madehisgoldenarmourred.Airbornesandwhisperedagainsttheceramiteofhisshell.TheArxAngelicumwassotallthatthenoiseofthearmymarshallinginthedesertandallthesoundsofwork as Baal fortified itself were reduced to faint suggestions of themselves. Engineswere putteringdisturbances.Myriadconversationswere reduced to infrequent, thin shouts.The rumbleof jetswasasquietasthehissofsandonsand.ThoughhishearingwasassharpasanySpaceMarine’s, thiswasallDante heard. He left his vox-beads off, and his auto-senses dormant. Having spent sleepless weekswelcoming thestreamofarrivalsandformulatinghisstrategies,hesoughtpeaceon thewall, seizing itwhereitdidnotcometohimvoluntarily.Thehostgatheredathisfeetinrich,desertquiet.Every half mile a pair of winged Sanguinary Guard stood in vigil. They saluted their master as hepassed. The warriors wore gear nearly identical to Dante’s, but the masks of the Sanguinary Guardshowed the features of their wearer. Of allmen, onlyDantewore Sanguinius’ face. Only he had thatburden.BaalSecundusmovedupthesky,obscuringtheedgeofthesunandbringingatransientdusktothedesertworld.This littledarknesswouldpass inanhourasBaalSecunduscontinueditsorbit,anddaywouldresume. Eclipses were an everyday occurrence on all three of the Baal triple. There was nothing sosimpleasdayandnightonanyofthem.AsthemooncoveredmoreofBalor,thedarkgrew,andthetemperaturedropped.Asudden,warmwindblewoutofthedesert,stirringtheflagsoftheBloodAngelsintomotion,andmakingDante’scloaksnap.Fittingly itwas in that short spellofnight thatMephistoncame tohim,emerging fromoneof theArxMurus’manyarmoureddoors.JerronLeeter,theMasterofAstropaths,walkedinhisblackshadow.TheBloodAngelsChief of Librarianswas a figure almost as legendary asDante.Among themost potentpsykers in theAdeptusAstartes,Mephiston’spowerwasknownacross the Imperium.ButwhileDantewascelebratedandhisleadershipsought,Mephistonwasshunned.Hewassecretive,andfearedbyall.Mephistondidnothingtocounterthisopinion.Hisarmourwascasttoresembletheexposedmusculature

ofaflayedman,incongruouslyframedingold.Everyfibreofahuman’sexposedsubdermalanatomyhadbeenlovinglyreproducedinceramite,thehorriblemadenolessdisturbingbytheartistryemployed.HisarmourwasadeeperredthantheBloodAngelsnorm,adark,arterialcrimsonlacqueredtoahighgloss,sothatMephiston’sgorypanoplyglistenedasifwet.Hehabituallywentunhelmeted.Apsychichoodofunusualdesignframedhisface.MephistonwasinhumanlybeautifulinaChapterrenownedforphysicalperfection, and the scholiasts of theBloodAngels insisted he lookedmuch likeSanguinius himself. IfMephistondidtakeaftertheirgene-father,itwasSanguiniusdead,forMephiston’sperfectionwasthatofasarcophaguseffigy.Histroubledsoulmadebeautyintougliness,andthefreezing,hardlightinhiseyeswasenoughtofrightenthebravestman.Leeterwasanotherexceptionalexampleofhis type.Hehadsurvivedthesoulbindingwithhissensesintact.VirtuallyeveryotherastropathDantehadencountered inhis long lifehadbeenblind, theireyesburnedoutbytheircommunionwiththeEmperor,whilesomehadnoearthlysensesremainingtothematall.ThissingularcharacteristicwasthemarkofLeeter’spowerandLeeter’swill,asmuchasitwasoftheinfinitegraceoftheEmperor.ThatsuchaprizedoperativeasLeeterhadbeenassignedtotheBloodAngelswasatokenofhowhighlytheChapterwasregardedbytheAdeptusAstraTelepathica.Leeter’s second sight was as extraordinary as his first. He could commune across space with theLibrarians of theChapter, bypassing his fellow astropaths.He could pierce themost terrible of veils,catchthemostdegradedteleprayeronthetreacherouscurrentsoftheempyrean.Leetercouldseethroughallbuttheshadowinthewarp.Thatremainedopaque,eventohim.Seeing hisChiefLibrarian approach,Dante stopped and awaited his arrival.Mephiston greeted him.Leeterknelt,headbowed,untilDantetoldhimtorise.‘Mylord,howgoesthemuster?’saidMephiston.Hisvoicewasdryandwhispery.Duringtruenightitwasstronger.SomethingintheChiefLibrarianloathedtheday.‘Itgoeswell,’saidDante.‘Ourbrothersmovequickly,astheymust.Thehivefleetwillsoonbehere.Timehasbeengeneroustous,butitrunsout.’Dantecouldnotstoplookingupintothesky,pastthefleet,themoonsandthesun,towhereswarmsofxenosmonstrositiesswamthekillingdepthsofspacetowardsBaal.‘Twenty-sevenChaptershavealreadyarrived,mylord,’saidLeeter.Thoughhehadkneltoutofrespect,asaseniormemberofanotheradepta,LeeterhadnoqualmsaboutspeakingfreelyinfrontoftheChapterMaster.‘Morehavepromisedtheirhelp.ThereareChaptersoftheBloodherethatarenotonanyrolltheChiefLibrarian’sscholiastscanunearthforme.Inmywildesthopes,Icouldnothavedreamedofsucharesponse.’ Leeter’s long, emerald robe moved violently in the eclipse wind. His remarkable eyessparkledwithfervour.‘ThesonsoftheGreatAngelareloyal,’saidMephiston.‘Thereareoverfifteen thousandsonsofSanguinius in-systemalready,’saidDante. ‘Estimatessuggestwemayeventuallybeblessedwithasmanyas twenty-five thousand.Everywarrior thatcomeshere isanotherstoneinourdefencesagainstLeviathan.’DantecouldfeelMephistonwatchinghimclosely.Dantehadchangedinthelastmonths.Thewearinesshe strived so hard to hide from others had fallen away, and his vigour had returned. But he had alsobecomedour,hisoutlookgrim.Dante’s lastequerry,Arafeo,hadoffereduphisbloodat theendofhisservice.Dante could not have refused had hewanted to. FromdeathDante’s new-found energy came.Deathwouldbehisrewardforit.DantewassureMephistoncouldsenseallthis.Soitshouldbe.DantemadenoefforttohidehisshamefromtheLibrarian.‘IstherenewsfromCadia?’Danteasked.

‘Notmuch,my lord,’ saidMephiston. ‘Andwhat little there is is ill-favoured. The forces of Chaosgather incrushingstrengthat theDiamorsystem.SinceAstorathsentword thatheandCaptainSendiniwereenroute toDiamor,wehaveheardnothing.Karlaen,AphaelandPhaetonshouldhavearrivedbynow.’‘Wehavehadnonoticeoftheirsafetranslation,’saidLeeterquietly.‘Couldtheyhavefallen?’askedDante.Mephiston closed his eyes amoment. His facewas as still as a funeralmask. In his armour it wasimpossible to tell if he breathed. Not for the first time Dante wondered if he did. ‘They still live,’Mephistonsaid.‘Iwouldknowiftheydidnot.’‘Thatissomething,atleast.’‘WeoftheLibrariumwilltraveltoBaalSecundusandaddoursensestothoseoftheastropathsattherelaythere.Perhapswewillhearsomethingsoon.Inthemeantime,therearebettertidings.’TheLordofDeath motioned to Leeter. The astropath held out a scroll case of polished hematite decorated withbloodstonedrops.‘Inthiscase,’saidLeeter,‘aredetailsofastropathiccommuniquesfromsixofthebattlefleetsyouhavescouringthenearmostworlds.Theyaredisturbinglyfragmentary.Already,theshadowinthewarpcreepsoverourterritoryanddisruptsourcommunication.Thecontentisclearenough.Theirworkproceeds.Thetyranidswill findnothing to fuel their advance.ManyChaptersmarchat your command. It is as if theLegionofoldisreborn.’‘Perhaps,’ said Dante. He was wary of Leeter’s implicit comparison of him with Sanguinius, andconcernedforthefuture.HiseveryeffortthusfarhadprovedinsufficienttostopLeviathan.‘Ifearitwillnotbeenough.’‘Though it is a sight, is it not?’ saidMephiston.Tellinglyhedidnot speakout againstDante’s fears.Neither of them hadmuch faith in their ultimate triumph. Both of them had faced theGreat Devourerseveraltimes,mostrecentlyatthepyrrhicvictoryatCryptus.Theyhadwitnessedthehivemind’spowerfirsthand.‘IwonderifthisiswhatourfathersawwhenhemarshalledhisLegionhere,thosemillenniaago.Ifeelclosetohim,seeingthis.Thedarkwefaceisgreat,butitisafinethingtocomeclosertotheprimarch.’‘Toseeanechoofwhathesawwithourlivingeyesisanhonour.’Dantewasforeverconsciousofthesacredrubyaffixedtohisbrow.InsidethehollowvesselwasthelastunadulteratedliquiddropofbloodtakenfromSanguinius’veins,preservedforalltime.‘Heisalwayswithme,Librarian.Heisalwayswithallofus.’‘Inourbloodandoursouls,’agreedMephiston,atruthmoreliteralthanfigurative;Sanguinius’visionshauntedtheirdreams,andhoundedthemtotheirdeaths.Awardeemedancientbyotherswas,toBloodAngels,thebetrayalofyesterday.‘Byhisbloodwerewemade.’Dantenodded.‘Byhisbloodheiswithinallofus.Andwewillneedhisstrengthnow,morethanever.’

CHAPTERTHREEEATERSOFTHEDEAD

ThesignaturestateofaSpaceMarinewarshipwhennotinbattlewasquietbustle.SecondCaptainErwinof theAngelsExcelsishada fineviewofhisservilesatwork.TheSplendidPinion’s throneplatformwassetuponapierprojectedhighovertheworkpitsandinstrumentbanksofthecommandbridge.Upthere,hewasasseparatefromtheservilesasanangelinaprimitiveheavenisseparatefromthemortalsphere.And so it should be,he thought. Sergeant Achemen was his only company on the platform, flickingthroughreportsonadozenscreenstoErwin’sleft.Achemen’ssquarefacewasfixedinconcentration.Itwaspossiblehewasnotdeepinthought,butjustasboredasErwinwas.Thecaptainwas inpoorspirits.His thirst troubledhimwhenhehad little tooccupyhis talents.ThisslowroadtoBaalgoadedthemonsterinhisbreast.Hedespisedinactivity.TheSplendidPinion’sdeckwasfourhundredfeetacross,withadomedroofaslavishlydecoratedasanycathedral’s.Servo-skullsandtetheredcyber-devicesdriftedbelowfriezesdepictinggreattriumphsoftheChapter.Aroundtherearofthecircularroomweregalleriesscreenedwithmetalfretworktohidetheservitors and lesser serviles labouring there. The screens were beautiful, but Erwin thought them acompromiseoffunctionandart.Thefrontarcofthecommanddeckwasaestheticallyfiner.Columnsofglitteringwhitestoneribbedthewalls.Finelancetwindowsweresetbetweenthem.Attheforefrontofthe deck was the wide rose of the Splendid Pinion’s grand oculus. The central pane was a single,flawlesspieceoftransparisteel,buttheedgewasmadeupoftinypiecesofcolouredglassheldinplacebyadamantiumcames.Theartwasfarmorebeautifulthantheviewitbordered.Abareballofrockturnedintheoculus,asdeadasalltheworldsErwinhadseenoverthelastmonth.Utterlyunremarkable.Erwinlosthimselfinthecircularfrieze,ashehadmanytimesbefore.ItdepictedthefirstAngelsExcelsisinbattle.Thepictureranintoitself,sothattherewasnobeginningorend,butaneternityofwar.AfterfiftyyearsincommandoftheSecondCompanyandtheirstrikecruiser,Erwinkneweveryredandwhitefigureintheimagebyname.Everyoneoftheoriginalthreehundredfounderswasremembered in that glass. The battlegear theyworewhen theChapterwas formed had been perfectlyreproduced,rightdowntotheirnamescrolls.

Mostofthemhaddiedwithinayear.Theirfirstmissionhadbeenanarduousone.HowErwinwishedforsuchagloriousstrugglenow.Achime and a flashing lumenbulbon the commandpanel drewhis attention to thehardlinevox.Heacceptedthecommunication,prayingforreportsofsomething,anything,inthesystemtokill.Hishopesweredashed.‘Ihaveyettoregisteranysignsoflifeinthissystem,mylordErwin,’reportedtheServileofResponse.Thepitchofhisvoicewashigher than aSpaceMarine, a signofhumanweakness.Thatwaswhy theEmperorhadcreated theSpaceMarines, toprotect frailmenwhocouldnotprotect themselves.Erwinremindedhimselfofhissacredduty,thoughtruthbetoldhefoundithardnottobeirkedbyhischarges’fragility.Erwinlookedovertothevoxstation,atieredstagesetfiftyfeetbelowhisthrone.‘Moreinformation,’Erwincommanded.TheServileofResponsestoodsmartlyandsaluted,buthedarednotlookupathissuperior,andspoketotheemptyair.‘The astrogatorium records give a population of five and a halfmillionAdeptusMechanicus adepts,withanunknownnumberofservitors,mylord.Therearenoneleft.Allhavebeendevoured,alongwiththenativebiomeofSciothopa.’‘I can see that,’ said Erwin testily. He pointed through the window. ‘I have eyes. Maintain broadscanningparameters.Iamnotconcernedwithmessagecontentatthisstage,onlyifthereareanymessagestobeheard.’‘Anotherdeadsystem,’saidSergeantAchemen.Hisvoicewasasmiserableashisstolid,blockyface.‘Would you consider, my captain, that we strike from this course and head straight for Baal and themuster?LordFollordarkwouldconcur,Iamsure.’‘TheChapterMasterwasclear inhisorders,’saidErwin.‘Scouteachinhabitedsystemin thissectorbefore heading to Baal asDante requested, and sowewill check this system thoroughly aswe havecheckedalltherest.AnyintelligencewecanpresenttoCommanderDantewillbewelcome,Iamsure.’Erwinsettledhimselfmoredeeplyintothecommandthrone.Therewaslittlehecoulddotomakehimselfcomfortableinitsmarbleimmensity,thecablespluggedintothepowerportsofhisarmourpreventedthat,buthecouldatleastflexhislegsalittle.Theyhadbecomestiffwithinactivity.Erwinwaswellregardedasashipcaptain,buthelongedforthephysicalityofbattle.Facingone’sfoeupon the open battlefieldwith sword in handwas amore satisfying experience than themathematicalexerciseofvoidwarfare,althougheventhatwouldbebetterthanthistedium.‘Bevigilant.Theenemymaystillbepresent.’‘Wewillnotbetakenunawares,captain,’promisedAchemen.Erwinsmiled.‘Youmisunderstand.Ifearnoambush.Icoulduseagood,honestfight.’Achemenbowedhishead.‘Asyoucommand,mycaptain.’Erwingrippedthestonelionheadsadorningthethrone’sarmsandstaredoutintothevoid.TheRedScardrapedscarletshroudsacrossthecosmos,occludingthebrightheartofthegalaxy.Sciothopawasaminornowhere on theway to bigger nowheres, but even these isolated systems had not been spared by thetyranids. Most of them housed only small human colonies, it being too expensive to provide largepopulationswithprotectionfromtheScar’softendeadlyeffects.Outsideof themostvaluablesystems,Imperialpresencewasrestrictedtoastropathicrelaystations,AdeptusMechanicusresearchbases,starcastellaandwayforts.Everysingleonehadbeencrackedopenandstripped.Erwinlookeddownatthedull,deadballofSciothopaPrime.AccordingtohisOrdoAstracharts,itwasalivingworld,withlifeadaptedtotheweirdradiationsoftheRedScar.TheAdeptusMechanicuswere

presenttoexploitthisresilience,thusfarwithoutresult.Nowtheywouldneverhavethechancetounpickitssecrets.Therewasnoevidenceoflifeleft.Theseasweredry,theatmospheresuckedaway.Highgainpicts showed the broken remains of tyrannic feeding tubes on the surface. Standard tyranid feedingpatterns;aftersuckingupalluseableresources,thetubes’mostvaluablechemicalswereleachedawaybythedeparting fleet,weakening them.Anactofplanet-wideautophagy that left lacy remains tocollapseundertheirownweight.Lights from theSplendidPinion’s subsidiary craft played over the broken station orbitingSciothopa.Glaringcirclesofbrightlightturnedbentgirdersintoshiningfiligree.Largepartsofthestationstructureweremissing, and the restwas close todisintegration.Erwin reckoned itwouldonlybea fewweeksbeforetheremainsweredraggedfromtheskybySciothopaPrimeandsmashedtoatomsonthesurface.‘Theytakeeventhemetal,’saidErwin.TheServileof theWatch lookedupfromhispodiumover theaugurpits,wherebaselinehumans lessfortunate than he laboured in unbreakable communionwith the ship, their eyes and ears removed andsensorycortexespluggeddirectlyintotheauspectoria’scogitators.‘Theytakemineralsofeverykind,mylord,’saidtheservile.‘Ihavecomparedspectrographicanalysisof thisworldwith recordsofhow itwas. It showsmassivedepletionofallmain rangeelements.Thedevourerremakestheworldsitconsumes.AlthoughInoticeasmallinconsistencywiththeoldestrecordsoftyrannic-strippedworlds.’‘Small enough for me to ignore?’ asked Erwin. The Servile of the Watch was an earnest fellow,genuinelyfascinatedwithhiswork.Hehadbeenknowntoborehismasterswithunnecessarydetail.Theservilepulledaneutralexpression,makinghisslavetattoosshiftacrosshisface,asenseofmotionexaggeratedbythelowlightofthecommanddeck.TheServileoftheWatchwasunusuallyexpressiveforoneofhisbreed.‘WhetheritisrelevantornotIshallleavetoyourdeeppercipience,mylord.’Erwingrunted.‘Edifymethen.’‘Theolderworldsshowalargerlossofmass.Thetyranidsspentlongeroneach,digestingpartsoftheplanetary crust. They do not remain so long as they once did. Once the biological components of theworld have been devoured, they target only sources of refinedmetals, such as theMechanicus stationhere,inpreferencetothesourceminerals.’‘Then they are running scared, feeding, moving on before they can be interrupted,’ said Erwin.‘CommanderDantehasthemafraid.’‘Or,mylord,theyarepresentedwithasurfeitoffood.Theyhavenothingtofear.Theyhavetoomuchchoice.TheImperiumisabanquettothem.Theyhavebecomefussyeaters.’Erwinshiftedinhisthrone.ForthefirsttimehelookedattheServileoftheWatchproperly.HewasawhollyunremarkablemantohisSpaceMarineeyes,atoolofhisChapter,herenow,soondead.Buttherewassomethingabouthim,anunusualcourage.Mosthumanswouldneverlookabattle-brotherintheeye.Erwinsupposedtheservilemusthaveaname.Heneverbotheredlearningtheirnames,theylivedsoshortatime.‘Youdaredisagreewithme?’saidErwin.Theservilestaredoutoftheoculus,anexpressionthatErwintookamomenttoplace.‘Areyouamused,servile?’TheServileoftheWatchdaredlookathim.‘Yes,mylord.’‘Why?’‘IfinditamusingthatIdisagreewithyouandyouhavenotkilledme.’Erwinslappedhisarmrestandletoutasolitarybarkoflaughter.‘BytheBlood,servile,youareabraveone.’

‘ToreachapositionsuchasIhave,onemustbebold,’saidtheServileoftheWatch.Erwin had no idea how the serviles were chosen for the roles they fulfilled, and he did not care.Logisticsworkwasnofituseofawarrior’stime.ThatwasthedutyoftheMasteroftheHousehold,anofficegiveninErwin’sChaptertoacaptainnolongercapableoffighting.Soithadbeensincethe36thmillennium,whentheirgloriousorderhadbeenfounded.‘Youmay be right,’ Erwin conceded. ‘It is heartening to err on the side of optimism. I applaud you,servile,forproddingtheuncomfortabletruth.’TheServileoftheWatchbowed.Erwinsmiled,baringhislong,sharpcanines.‘Nowdonotdoitagain,orIwillkillyou.’‘Ofcourse,mylord.’‘Continuescanningthearea,’saidErwin.Hestoodandaddressedthewholecommanddeck.‘Wehaveafew hours beforewemust depart.Wewillmake the translation directly to thewarp from the nearestgravipause.There isnoneed togo to theMandevillePoint, this isadeadsystem.But if thereareanytyranidorganismsremaininghere,Iwilldestroythembeforeweleave.’Erwinthoughtheshouldnottarryforsuchpointlessexercises,butheandhismenneededaction.Moralewasasimportantaconsiderationinwarasanyothervariable.‘Asyouwillit,mylord,’respondedtheServileLocum,themortalwhocommandedthevesselwhentheSpaceMarineswere absent.WhenErwinwas present, he did his duty by savingErwin from the dullbusinessofgivingorderstotherestoftheserviles.Erwinsettledhimselfbackintohisthroneandkickedoutonemassivebootedfoot.‘Allforward,ServileoftheHelm.BringusaroundSciothopa,fullorbit.Makeitfast,letusseeifwecanfindanythingtokill.Andcallinourcraft,IhaveseeneverythingIneedtoseeofthefacility.Givemeamaximumgainaugursweepwhenwebreakorbit.Absentingatarget,weleaveinthreehours.’

Threehourspassed.Erwin’sconcentrationdriftedtopastbattles.‘Mylord!Wehaveacontact.Somethingismovinginadebrisfieldtwelvethousandmilesahead.’Erwinsnappedoutofhiscontemplationtofullalertness.Therewasnothingvisibleagainsttheredvoidintheoculus.‘Hololith,’heordered.Aprojectionspheresprangintolifeovertheforwardstrategium.Initsfalse-lightrenditiontheglowofthe Red Scar was even more lurid. Erwin leaned forward. Away from the dead world a spread ofwreckage was slowly dispersing. Datascreed sprang up around the pieces. Subsidiary view fieldsmagnifiedthelargeritemstofuzzy,indistinctshapes.‘Analysis,’heordered.‘AmixtureofImperialandtyrannicdebris.Augurreadingsgiveapreliminaryestimateofseventypercentmetallictothirtypercentorganic.’TheAdeptusMechanicusputupaweakfight,thoughtErwin.‘Lockontothecontact.Showittome.’‘Adjusting view now,’ said the Servile of the Watch. Servitors mumbled out rote responses to theservile’s commands.Thehololithicview swungaround.Ablack shapemovedat theheart of adebrisfield,thenthehololithviewencompassedasecond,andathirdshape.‘Ihave three targets,’ said theServileof theWatch.Therewasanexcitement inhisvoice thatErwinapprovedof.‘Magnify,’orderedErwin.Living ships moved among the wreckage. Coiled shells sprouted masses of tentacles from wide

aperturesat thefront.Theirarmswaved,pluckingmorselsfromthe shatteredcarcassesofbio-vessels,stuffinggobbetsoffleshandfrozenfluidsintohiddenmaws.‘Asalvageoperation,’saidErwin.Achemenlookedupfromhisscreensforamoment.‘Towhatpurpose?Itdoesnotseemasensibleuseofresources.’‘Whoknows?IhaveheardreportsthatthistendrilofLeviathanispreparingtosplinter,puttingoutfreshshoots,asitpushesontowardsBaal.Thiscouldbeaseedingswarm,’saidErwin.‘Oritmaynot.Idonotcare.They are xenos, unworthyof life.All thatmatters is that they are in lownumbers, and thereforevulnerable.’‘Itmaybeatrap,’saidAchemen.Erwintappedthearmofhisthrone.‘Youareprobablyright.Prepareforengagement.Donotbringustooclose.Attackfrommaximumrange.Bringtorpedoestoreadiness.Wewillstandoffanddestroythem.’‘Weshouldletitbe,’saidAchemen.‘Thiscouldbewhattheywant.’‘Leaveit?’saidErwindismissively.‘Itisalive.Itisanenemy.Itshouldbedead.Youaretootimid,mysergeant.’‘Iamcautious,brother-captain.Lettingthethirstguideouractionsinthiswarwouldbeamistake.’‘It is not the thirst that guides me,’ said Erwin. ‘You are not captain of the Second Company yet,Achemen,andwillnotbeaslongasIamalive.Wewilldestroythem.Thatismycommand.’Helookedathissecondincommand.‘Fromadistance.Cautiously.Iheedyourcounsel,brother.’‘Firing solutions calculated, my lord. Forward torpedo batteries are aimed and ready for yourcommand,’announcedtheServileBelligerent.‘Howmanyarerequired?’‘Three torpedoesapieceshoulddo it,my lord,’ said theServileof theWatch. ‘I recommendmultiplewarheads,standardatomics.’‘Recommendfullspreadofsixforalltargets,’barkedtheServileBelligerent.‘Isthatnotawasteofmunitions?’saidErwin,testinghismen.‘Bettertobesure,mylord,’saidtheServileoftheWatch.Erwingrinned.‘Verygood.Sixapieceitisthen.Timetoimpact,ifwefirefromhere?’‘Eighteenminutes,mylord.’‘Too long,’ said Erwin. ‘Servile of the Helm, bring us closer. Accelerate to quarter speed. Loosetorpedoesatfivethousandmiles.PreparethreespreadsaspertheServileBelligerent’srecommendation.Onespreadpervessel.’‘Isayagain,captain,itmaybeatrap,’saidAchemen.‘Wewillreleasethemallandbreakoff,’Erwinsaidtothesergeant.‘Lettheimpetusoftheshipspeedourvengeanceaway.’‘Revisedtimetoimpactafteraccelerationissevenminutes,mylord.’‘Better,’saidErwin.A short-lived flurry of activity took hold of the serviles. A fewmoments later, the Splendid Pinionshudderedas itsdrivestackspushedit towardsthedebrisfield.Erwinpickedout thebrokenhulkofasmallmechanicusarkship.Hecouldseenoneoftheirwarshipsamongthewreckage–unsurprisingforaresearchsystem.‘Iamdetectingincreasedactivityfromtheenemy,mylord,’saidtheServileoftheWatch.‘Theyhaveseenus,’saidAchemen.‘Iftheyhave,whatofit?Theywillnotcatchus,’saidErwin.‘Theirshipsareslowin-system.Theyhavenopowertogivethemspeed.Wewillfinishtheseoneseasilyenough.’

‘Weareapproachingoptimumfiringpositioninfiveseconds,mylord,’saidtheServileBelligerent.Hecounteddown.‘Four.Three.Two.One.’Erwinraisedhishandlazily.‘Firetorpedoes.’‘Volleyoneaway!’calledtheServileBelligerent.Theshipjolted.Sixtorpedoesracedfromtheship.‘Secondspreadloaded,’reportedtheServileBelligerent.‘Targetlocked.’‘Fire!’saidErwin.Heleanedforward.Thisbriefmomentofactionfiredhissluggishblood.Hismouthwatered,andhissharpeyeteethslidafractionfurtherfromhisgums.Heforcedhisattentionawayfromthemenunderhiscommand,theirwarmbodiesandpulsingnecks,andinsteadfocusedonthetorpedoes.Thehololithdimmedtocuttheglarefromtheirdriveunits.Thefirstspreadranaheadoftheshipwhereitdividedintotwosubgroupingsofthree.Thesecondspreadfollowedthesamepattern.Thetorpedodrivesobscuredthedebrisandtheirtargetsforamoment,buttheyweresoonfaroutfromtheship,reducedbytheunimaginablevastnessofthevoidtojewelsofyellowonthewideredsashoftheScar.‘Thirdspreadloadedandready,’saidtheServileBelligerent.‘Swiftlyaccomplished.Commendthegunnerycrews,’saidErwin.‘Extrarationsandanadditionalfiveminutes’sleepthisrestcycleforsuchfineloading.Nowfire.’Thelastvolleyburstfromthetubesintheship’sbull-nosedprowfarfromthecommandspire.‘Turnabout,’saidErwin.‘Fullreversethrust.Turnusawayfromtheenemy.Keepthehololithlockedonourtargets.’Jets of fire stabbed out from the starboard prow shield, slewing the ship to portside. The SplendidPiniongroanedunderthepressureofthemanoeuvre.Erwinlaughedastheshipshook.‘Accelerateintotheturn,ServileoftheHelm,’saidErwin.‘ServileofEmpyricalTransit,havethewarpengineprepared.’‘TheMasteroftheEnginariuminsistsactivatingthecoreunderthisstressisunnecessaryandrisky,’saidtheServileofEmpyricalTransit.‘Noted.Doitanyway,’saidErwin.Achemen’sbootsclunkedasheactivatedhissuitmaglocks.Erwingrinnedsavagelytoseehisbrotherreachouttothedaisrailtosteadyhimself;Achemenwasnotsostrongashemaintained.InertiapulledtheSpaceMarinessidewaysagainstthedragofthedeckgrav-plating.Itwasgoodtopushhisshipandhismenso.‘Spikestheblood,eh,Achemen?’Achemenstaredstonilyahead,disappointingErwin.Achemenwasafinewarrior,butpreciouslittlejoywastobehadfromhiscompany.Theship’srealspaceenginesthundered,shakingthecommandspirewiththeirsudden,massiveincreaseinoutput.At theirdriving, theSplendidPinion swungaround inawidearc,coastingalong thegravityplaneofSciothopaandusing it toaccelerateoutof thesystem.Perfectlydone, thoughtErwin.Hewasproudofhiscrew,mortalandAdeptusAstartesalike.‘Mylord,torpedoesabouttomakecontact.’TheServileBelligerent’svoicesoundedoutofthehardlinevoxby the throne,vastly amplifiedbutbarely loudenough tobeheardover the roarof the ship. ‘Theenemyhavereleasedtorpedospinesandboardingpodsinresponse.’‘Thendestroythem!’saidErwin.Thethirstroseinhim,eagerforthekill.‘Theywillgetnotimeforasecondvolley.’Indeedtheydidnot.Oneofthetentacledscavengervesselsdisappearedinasphereofbrilliantfire.Sobright,Erwin thought.Nuclear fission purged the sick redness from the void for amomentwith pure,cleanlight.Secondslater, thenexttorpedospreadhit thesecondship.Threebrightglobesoffirewere

followedaninstantafterbythreemore,thesixtogetherswellingintoaballthesizeofaminiaturestar.Thenthethirdshipwashit,andthesmallfleetwasgone.Thefiresfaded.‘Allhit,’reportedtheServileoftheWatch.‘Targetsdestroyed.’‘We have debris coming in hard after enemy munitions. Activating point defence systems,’ said theServileBelligerent.Faintly, rightat theedgeofErwin’senhancedhearing,gunschattered.Acloudofapproachingshapespickedout in redon thehololith thinnedasbio-missileswere shotdown.Large segmentsof thecloudblinkedoutofexistence.‘Afine job,serviles,’saidErwin.Hisbrief joyat battlewasfadingasquicklyas thespheresoffire.‘Arethereanymore?’‘No,mylord,’respondedtheServileoftheWatch.‘Then set course for the next system.’ Erwin glanced over toAchemen. ‘Gather the company. I willaddressthemintheSiegeJoyous.WeheadtoBaalafterournextreconnaissance,atlast.’‘Mycaptain,’saidAchemen.Erwindepressed theheadof the leftmost lion. Itclickedgently.Aflickerof status lights ranoverhisdisplays.‘Captaindeparting,’saidamachinevoice,broadcastingthenewsacrossthecommanddeck.GassighedasthecablesdetachedthemselvesfromtherearofErwin’sarmour.Hestoodwithdifficulty,thearmourbrieflydeadonhimwithneitherpowerpacknorship toprovideenergy to itssystems.Hisbackpackdescended from theceilingabove, the stabilisationnozzlesdelicatelygraspedby long-nosedgrips.Liketheceramiteofhisarmsandlegs,itwasamarbledwhite,settingoffthedeepcrimsonofhistorsoplate.Hisgoldenhelmfollowedonatelescopicarm.Arming serviles crept out from the dark places at the rear of the dais and wordlessly attached thebackpack toErwin’sarmour.Hisgrowlofsatisfactionat thestrength floodingback intohisbattleplatesystemswasamplifiedashishelmetpassedoverhisheadandlockedinplace.‘ServileLocum,youhavecommand,’Erwinsaid,gladtobefreeofthecommandthrone.Helookedoutat the throbbingwoundof theRedScar. ‘Close theoculus.There is noneed to lookupon thispainfulsmearanylonger.Ihearitdrivesmenmad,andittroublesmyheart.’Theshuttersweregrounddownovertheoculus.Hestrodealongthepierandoutthroughthedoorsattherear,thenceoffthecommanddeck.Beforehe reached thehallof theSiege Joyous, a servile from theastropathicumcamebearingurgentnews.Uponreadingthescrippresentedhim,Erwin’sdaybecameimmeasurablybetter.Withasavageshout,Erwincrumpledtheparchment,returnedtothecommanddeckandorderedacoursealterationtotheZozansystem.Hewouldgetaproperbattlesoon,afterall.

Tohumaneyes,atyranidorganismwasasinglething,abeastlikeanyother.Thiswasnotso.Eachmonster in the limitless swarmswas a carefully designed colony of symbiotic creatures. Onceincorporatedintothehivefleet’sgeneticknowledge,thebaselinegenomeofthoseorganismschosenforaprimary hostwas pared back to the bare essentials, and giftedwith the characteristics common to alltyranid creatures – thick, chitinous armour, a hexapedal anatomy, multiple redundant organs –characteristics that, above all else, made them incredibly difficult to kill. Only then were the trueadaptationsadded.Though the finished creature may have looked like a complete, single being, it was made up of amultiplicityofindividualcreatures,manyofthemsemi-sentientintheirownright.Thiswasmostobvious

to thecasualobserver in theweaponsbornebythelargerconstructs,whoserepurposedanatomiesstillretainedrecognisablebiologicalshapes.Therewereother,lessobviousexamplesofforcedparasitism.Thinkingblood.Organs thatcould liveseparately from thecreature theyserved.Subsidiarybrains thatawaitedthedeathofthemainnervestemorthepresentationofsomeunusualcircumstancethatrequiredspecialistknowledgenotpresentinthebasicmentalityofthecreature;botheventsthatmightnevercometopass.Organscouldbeinstalled,fullyaware,andliveforcenturies,neverrealisingtheirpotential.Thehivefleetwassohugeitcouldaffordtobeprofligatewithflesh.This modularity of being allowed the enhancement of creatures at short notice, or modification forparticularroles.AstheAngelsExcelsisannihilatedthesmalltyranidscavengingfleet,onesuchcolonyofbeastsapproachedtheSplendidPinion.Among the debris of the dead hive ships floated something that appeared to be another piece ofbiologicalwreckage,butwasinfactacunninglyconceivedsingle-occupantvoidpod.Thenatureofthetyranidsmadeitimpossibletosaywhichpartofthisgestaltbiomechanismpossessedtheguidingmind.Wasitthesensorbeast,mounteduponthebluntnose,thatperceivedtheSpaceMarineshipandoriginatedthenervepulsesthatdictatedthepod’saction?OrwastheSplendidPinionspiedbytheeyesofthepoditself,andwasitthenthepod’srudimentarybrain,housedattherear,thatdirectedit?Orweretheseelementsofthecolonysubsidiarytothemindoftheinfiltrationbeastcarriedwithin,thatslumberedandyetlookedoutuponthevoidthroughthelinkedbrainsofitsoutercasing?Theywereallultimatelypartofthegreaterwholeofthehive,sowhichwasthedrivingsentience?TheclassificationsusedbytheImperiumtodefinelevelsofconsciousnessamongtheswarm’spartswerecrude.Theylackedsubtlety.Perhapsevenattheheightofitspower,mankindcouldnothaveunderstoodthetyranids.Thecreatureinthepodwasautonomousineveryway,exceptwhenitwasnot.Itwasnativelycunning,an individual in itsownright,butnota thingofwillunless itwasneeded tobe.Contradictions to thehumanmind,butnottothehive.MoistsensorpitsassophisticatedasanyImperialaugurscriedtheSplendidPinion.Acalculatingmindobservedtheshipinmultiplespectra,andjudgeditaworthwhiletarget.Intruthitwasallthesubcreaturestogether–thepod,itssubsystembeastsandthecargoitcarried–thatmade thedecision toventaportionof thepod’smeagrestocksofpropellant.Gaspuffed fromorificesalong the pod’s flank, sending it spinning along a random-seeming trajectory resembling the tumble ofharmless debris. Chromatic cells on the surface flickered to match the colour of the Red Scar void.Counter-augur creatures encysted in the pod’s skin digested themselves, their electromagnetic screamssendingoutacloudofobfuscatingradiationonallfrequencies.Silently,stealthily,thepodmovedtowardstheSplendidPinion,trackingthemetalshipasitpulledawayfromthedebriscloudandmadeitswaytosafetranslationdistance.Thepod’sjourneywasaone-timechance,butitwasoneofmillions.Itwasdisposable,asallcreaturesinthehivefleetswere.Themereactoffulfillingitspurposeguaranteeditsdeath.Thecomponentanimalsofthevesseldidnotcareforthemselves.Thoughseveralwerecapableofdoingso,havingbeenderivedfromsentientgenestock,theirpotentialforself-preservationwassuppressedpsychicallyandchemically.Theyweremind-slaved,devotedtotheGreatDevourerinthesamewayaman’sfingernailisdevotedtohishand.Gunfire strobed the void as anti-missile batteries locked onto pieces of shell and muscle spinningthrough the void, atomising them in bright bursts of radiant particles. The pod corrected its course,movingawayfromthethickerclustersofwreckage,takingcarenottomoveatalllikethesmatteringoftyranidtorpedospinesstreakingdirectlytowardsthepreyship.Invisiblebehinditsbaffles,thepodsailedunharmedthroughsoundlessexplosions.

A separate, distended brain-creature housed in a cyst deep in the pod’s bony armour calculated theprecise speed needed to penetrate the ship’s void shields. Too fast, and the pod would trigger thedisplacementresponseintheenergyfield,andbesentintothewarpwhereitwouldbeannihilated.Tooslow,andthepodwouldbeoutpacedbyitsprey.Morepreciouspropellantgaseswereexpended.Thepodslowed.Itspathbecamemorecertain,aparabolathatbroughtitupandunderthevesseltowardsthecragsoftheship’skeeltowers.Asoapyrippleontheskinofspacemarkedthepod’spositionasitpunchedthroughthevoidshield.Thiswasthepointofhighestdanger.Thevigilantmachine-spiritsofthevesselmightnotetheanomaly.Nowthepod’scamouflagewasa liability.Notseeingwhatcausedthedisturbancein thefield, themachinescouldalertthepreywithintheirdeadmetalship.Detection,ifitoccurred,couldnotbehelped.Countlessinfiltration organisms had died performing the exact samemanoeuvre, and countlessmorewould. Thehivefleetshedthemlikeahumanshedsskincells.Successfulinfiltrationwasamatterofprobability.Itonlytookonetomakeitthrough.The podhurtled towards theSplendidPinion unseen as the ship accelerated away from the growingdebrisfield.Adesperateventinghadthepodmatchspeedwithitstarget.Withafinaleructationfromtherearsphinctersitcamewithingraspingdistance.Bonyplatesblewfromaroundtheprow.Flailingtentaclesburstfromthecavitiesrevealed,theirbroad,suckeredendsslappingontometalerodedbylongexposuretothevoid.Contactwasmade.Thepodhauleditselfontothehull, itsarrivalsogentle therewasnot theslightestimpacttremor.Onceattached,thepodextrudedagummyfootandhauleditselfalongtheplasteelinsearchofacrevicetohidewithin.Itfoundonesoonenough,slippingintoaspacebetweenaturretbaseandthepodium of an angelic statue made faceless by centuries of micro-meteor impacts. Once ensconced, itjettisonedtentaclesblackenedbyexposuretohardvacuum,andwithdrewitspseudopodintothesafetyofitsshell.Stickyresinsleakedfromporesallalongthepod’slength,bondingitschitinfasttotheship.BythetimetheSplendidPinion’svoidshieldsdroppedandwerereplacedbytheeye-achingsheenofGeller fields, the pod was secure. The Splendid Pinion’s warp engines tore open the universal veilseparatingthevoidfromtheempyrean,andplungedintothemaddeningpsychiccurrentsontheotherside.AstheSplendidPinioncleavedthewarptowardsZozantheoccupantstirred,perfectlysafeinthepod.Hormonesandstimulantchemicalsgushedintoitsbody,bringingittoahigherlevelofwakefulness.Thelictorpreparedforitsmission.

CHAPTERFOURAGREATERDARKNESS

Behindhex-wardedgates lay theDiurnalVault, thedread libraryof theBloodAngelswherewonderslanguished in temporal prisons. Terrible science enslaved a star that powered this fortress within afortress.Idalia,itwascalled,shackledbythewilloftheEmperor,andplacedintothebreastofastatueofSanguiniusthatrivalledthatatAngel’sFall.The vaultwas but the first hall of the librarius.Deeperwithinwere other places,more secret,moredread,thearchivesoftenthousandyearsofwar.Wardedcells.Repositoriesforallthecursedartefactsthe Chapter had gathered to itself. Depictions of all the foes they had bested. Far, far inside lay theSepulcrumMaleficus,aplaceofsuchsecrecyitsexistencewasknownonlytotheveryhighestofficersoftheChapter.ThiswasChiefLibrarianMephiston’ssanctuary.Itwas thecustomof theolderBloodAngels torest in theHallofSarcophagiwhere theyweremade,shouldtimeallow.Opportunitywaslimitedinthosedarkdays,buttherestwaslongedfor.In the Long Sleep infusions of sacred blood carried out all impurity from the body, and spiritualcommunionwithSanguiniuswasa tantalisingpossibility.Someheld that theLongSleepstavedoff theprogression of the bloodline’s curse. Others, fewer in number, decried the practice, seeing it as anexchangeofdutyfordreamsofthepast.Bothpartieswereright,intheirownway.Mephistonsleptasoftenashecould.Whenawake,hesecretedhimselfintheChemicSpheres,hisself-imposedprison.Whenheslept,hesleptamongthedead.Therewereplacesinthelibrariusthatdefiedallknownlaws,beingneitheroftheuniversenorthewarp.Thestricturesofthematerialplanerelaxed.TheSepulcrumMaleficuswasonesuchlocation.TheHallofSarcophagiwasaplaceoflife,theSepulcrumMaleficuswasaplaceofdeath.ItwasfittingthatMephistonmadehisabodethere.Informthesepulcrumwasadeepshaft,itsbottom,ifithadone,losttothedark.Muchofitsvolumewastakenupbymovingplatforms.Coffinsweremountedsinglyupontheplatforms’decks,whichmovedincircularmotions like a vast, stacked orrery. Articulated stairs linked them, their steps hissing as theywhirled around and around, constantly changing shape to accommodate each other, in a giant, deadlypuzzleofshiftinggears.Somehow,thestairspassedthroughoneanotherwhentheymet,intersectingwith

thesoundofswordssharpeningonwhetstones.IneachivorycasketwaspreservedthebodyofaChiefLibrarianoftheBloodAngels.Regularinfusionsofbloodkepttheirbodiesfresh.Althoughtheywerelongdeadandtheirgene-seedremoved,aroundmanyhoveredshredsofconsciousness,spiritsthatabeingaspsychicallygiftedasMephistonmightcommunewithandseekguidancefrom.At the centreof all thiswas agreaterplatform, andupon that a singular incongruity: a roomwithnowalls, being bounded like all the other platforms in the space by a sheer, unfathomable drop. It wasfurnishedasastudy,witharichrugcarpetingthemetal.AtableandchairsofartistrybefittingtheChapteroccupiedthecentre.Asinglebookcasecrammedwithraretreatisesonwarandtheempyricartsstoodofftooneside.Beingatthecentreofthesepulcrum,theroom’sorbitwassmallerthantherestoftheplatforms’,butitmoved like theyalldid,always indizzyingprogress,neverstopping,awhirling,automaticmotion thatsuggestedlifewheretherewasnone.OtherstaircasesledofffromMephiston’sstudytosubsidiaryplatforms.UpononeoftheseMephiston’spersonalartificerdwelt,renderedblindandcondemnedtolivethereuntiloldagetookhim.OnanotherwastheLordofDeath’sarmoury.Therehisgrislyarmourhunguponanarmingstand.Overit,hoveringinjudgementwithinashaftofrubylight,wasVitarus,theChiefLibrarian’sancientforcesword.Thearmouryplatformrotatedawaytothegrindingofmetalonmetal.Athirdpresenteditself,anditwastherethatMephistonrested.Mephiston’s sarcophagus was indistinguishable from those of his predecessors. Like the others, theplatformwasmadeofironchasedwithTheldritemoonsilverindesignsthatgrewincomplexitytowardsthecentralpoint,wherethecasketwasset.Thesarcophaguswasmadeofasingle,giantpieceofivorycarvedwithcartouchesandesotericBloodAngelssymbology.NestledbetweenstylisedrepresentationsofaSpaceMarine’spauldronswasablank-eyedsculptureofMephiston’svisage.Inthesedetailsitwasno different to its others. Though the precise style of the caskets varied according to the whims ofdifferingeras,informtheywerethesame.Butwhere thecoffinsof thedeadwere inert,Mephiston’sglowedwithcagedpower, its etched linesgleamingwithrubylight.Aboutitadozenbrassrodstoppedwithsilverskullswerearrayedlikeguardsaroundaprisoner.Animbusplayedaroundthecasket’sroundedheadandshoulders,andfromthisglowoccasionalburstsofpowercrackedloudlyintothecreakingofthesepulcrum,strikingthebrassrodsandleavingthemsmoking.Insidethesarcophagus,Mephistondreamed,andthatwasmostunusual.TheLordofDeaththrashedagainstthesilkpaddingliningtheinterior,rippingfreethelinespurifyinghisblood.Anunbiddenvisionhadhimunderitsspell,pullinghissoulhalffromhisbodyandthrustinghimunmannedintothefloodsoftime.‘AtDiamor,itwillbegin,’saidavoice.A sense of foreboding – a tragedy overtaking his brothers fighting with Astorath – gripped him. Hesenseddespair,andloss,andbenthismindtosee.Greyandgreensmearedacrossthedark,areflectioninapoolwhosesurfacewasbroken.Thiswasnomaterial reflection,but themirrorof thewarp.Empyricripplesquieted, leavingMephiston lookingnotupontheDiamorsystembutonaworldheknewwell:Cadia,thegatewaytotheEyeofTerror.Hisbrotherswere there, fightingalongsidemillionsofothers.Themusterwas thousandsof times thesizeofthattakingplaceonBaal,butitwasimmediatelyapparentitwouldnotbeenough.Fromthewidecosmicroadof theCadianGatecameaprocessionofunendingviolence.ThousandsuponthousandsofshipsemergedfromtheEyeofTerror.Theyboreoldhatredoutofthepast,determinedtooverthrowthe

presentinawelterofblood.BillionsofdaemonsaccompaniedhundredsofthousandsofHereticAstartes.TheBlackLegion,theIronWarriors,theEmperor’sChildren…AllnineoftheEmperor’sfallenLegionsandtheirlordshadcomeoutfromtheirstrongholdstorekindleancientwar.AllthisMephistonapprehendedinakaleidoscopicflurryofimagesspreadacrossasingleinstant.Therewasnotimeinthewarp.ThentheLordofDeathwasspeedingthroughvorticesofthought,andthevisionburst into an infinity of individual pieces. Through fragmentary possible futures,Mephistonwitnessedcountlessactsofheroism,buttheendwasinevitable.Faces he saw of import included amonstrousMechanicus priest, an inquisitor out of time, a SpaceMarine in thearmourofaBlackTemplarsmarshal.Therewasanother, facelesspresence.Asnatchoflaughter,andtheflashofasilvermaskaccompaniedthetouchofanaeldarimind.Thepresencewasgonebeforehecouldstrikeit.WaranddeathhadcometoCadiaonunprecedentedscale,andstill thatwasnotthesumofthehorrorapproachingtheImperium.Timeblinked.Mephistonwalkedmoorlandbattlefieldsbetween thehowlingsonsofFenris.Daemonsdiedundertheirbladesandbolts,buttheSpaceWolveswereweary,rankwiththesweatofdaysofbattle.Their armour was cracked, their weapons blunted. In the distance a fortress burned in an unnaturallycoloured inferno.The skywasa lividbruise,neitherwarpnorvoidnor cloud,but a seethingmessofenergiesthatcastspearsoflightningintothegroundwithexplosiveforce.Daemonssawhissoul.TheysnarledatMephistonasheshadow-walkedacrossthebrokenmoors.Hehelduphishandandpushedthemawaywithhismind.Oncepastthem,hefadedfromtheirmindsliketheghosthewas.The scene rippled away into another. Cadians fought from behind barricades of their dead. Silvermachineschasedthroughthesky.TheNecrons,thoughtMephiston.Thefirstwarriors in theendlesswarhadreturned tofinish it.ThreetimesoverthelastmonthstheNecronshadaidedtheImperium.Hedidnottrusttheirmotivesatall.Metalminds and soulless intellects prevented his reading their intentions, but their arrogance betrayed thedangertheyposed.Therewassomethingelse,somethingcloserintimeandnearertohisblood.Hesearchedforit,seizinguponpossibility’scloak,butfateshookhimfree.Timeskipped.Tall,alienpylonscrasheddowninflamesontotheplainsofCadia.Witheachtopplingstructurethepurpledskytwitchedexpectantly.‘Doom!’roaredavoicethatnomortalcouldhear.Morepylonsfell,collapsingliketalltreesburnedupinforestfires.‘Doom!’Thevoicewasmadeofmany.Thedeathscreamsofamillionhumansoldiersweredrownedoutbythetriumphalhowlofdaemonkind.Bloodscentthickenedtheairwithcopperandiron.‘Doom!’screamedthevoiceonefinaltime.Reality convulsed. Mephiston’s soul reeled, struck a metaphysical blow that dented the inviolableenergiesofhisspirit.Theskypeeledopen.Themadnessthatlurkedbeyondtheveiloftheuniversewasrevealed.Mephistonlookedintoitunblinkingly.Heunderstoodwhatfewdid.Thisroiling,limitlessoceanwastruereality,notthesluggishskinofmattermenwalkedacrossandfoughtover,buttheendlesshellsofwarpspace.Hesnarledindefiance,preparingtodiefarfromhomeandoutoftime.A cool hand touched his spirit lightly, steadying him. Amusical, female voice spoke from behind asilveredmask.‘Hail,ohLordofDeath.’

Theaeldari.Thiscreaturewasnotpartofhisvision,butimpingingonit.Hepreparedforbattle,fortheancientracewereskilledwalkersofthepsychicveil,witchesall,butnoattackcame.‘Weshallnotfight,angelofdeath,forIbringtidings.‘Ware,sonofblood!Thetimecomeswhenallwillchange,someforthebetter,somefortheworse.’‘Begonefrommymind!’Mephistonsaid.Ashepushedbackhegainedagreatersenseof thealien. Itwasoneoftheirdancercaste,theHarlequins.‘Youseeme!’shelaughed,andskippedawaythroughtheragingbattle,trailingmotleydiamondsinherwake.Thecombatantsfoughton,thoughtheendwascoming.Thegarishskyfellin.FireanddeathwashedoverthelandscapesofCadia,blastingalltopieces.A racing pyroclastic cloud engulfedMephiston. Had he been there in the flesh, hewould have diedinstantly,nomatterhispower.Itburnedhissoul,hurlinghisspiritfromonelevelofbeingtothenext.Hisvisionwasenwrappedinshadow,constrictedlikeacorpseinwindingsheets.Hestruggledagainstitscoldpress, lyingonhisback,unable tomove.Darknessburstasunder,andheroseupoverburningsandstohoverinafieryskyoverahellishland.Mountainsofskullssoaredtoinfiniteheights.Riversofblood and fire carved canyons throughwhite deserts of ground bone, while the sky rained thick ash:fragmentsofsoulsstillhotfromtheforgesofthegods.Horneddaemonsfoughtoneanotherineveryplace,theirbattleolderthantimeitself.Forallitsseemingsolidity,thiswasnoplacenativetotherealmofflesh.Tobetherewasagraveperiltothesoulforhewasdeepinthewarp,inthelandsofblood.HadanotherpsykerventuredintoKhorne’sdomain even in vision form, theywould have been consumed by rage and hatred, and their souls tornapart.TheriskwasespeciallygreatforthesonsofSanguinius.ThesethingsdidnothappentoMephiston.Hissoulwasapillaroficeinaworldoffire.Hehadnofear.Instead,hethought.HowamIhere?+Becauseyoumustbe,+whisperedtheaeldariintohismind.Mephistonpassedunseenoveraworldofceaselesswar.Daemoniccreaturesandthesoulsofdamnedmen battledfuriouslyagainstoneanother.Armiesclashed.Lonewarriorsduelled.Hewitnessedaforceinthethroesofdisintegration,comradesturningoneachotherbeforethepulsesoftheirvanquishedfoeshadstilled.+Onward,+ said the eldar.+Fear not, you areguarded, for a time.+Silky laughter, cruel as thevoid,caressedhisbeing.Mephiston’sspiritapproachedmountainsmadeofskullssobighecouldnotconceiveofanycreaturethatmighthaveproducedthem.Themountainswereclose tooneanother,andMephistonflewbetweenthemthroughanarrowdefilewhosewallswereriddledwitheye-socketcavesandnostrilgullieswhereinbrutish,wingedcreaturesfoughtoverscrapsofmortalsouls.+Onward,+saidthevoice.+Donottarry,sonofblood.Youmustseebeforeyouareseen.+Thepassopenedoutontoaplainthatstretchedonforever.Uponittwohugedaemonichostsfought,oneofblackandoneofred.Thefootsoldiersofbothhostswerearrayedinvastlegions.Individualwarriorslostallmeaning,thetwowereopposingseasofdifferentcolours,crashingviolentlyagainstoneanother.Arcane machines and bizarre armoured vehicles partly of flesh and partly of iron warred among thelimitlessmultitudes, their guns sounding a constant thunder over the raucous cymbal clash of a billionblades.Mostdreadfulofallwerethegeneralsofthearmies.GreatbloodthirstersofKhorneflappedovertheirminionsonleatherywings.Ragecrystallisedandgivenwill,theyfoughtwheelingbattlesintheskyagainstoneanother,cryinghatredasloudascannonfire.

Mephiston’sheartresponded.Thecurseheheldsubduedroseinhim.Beingtherewaspain.Beingtherewas joy. Only the letting of bloodwould alleviate his suffering and intensify his pleasure. The thirstparchedhim, the rage tormentedhim, they fought forhismind,an internal strugglewhichmirrored thatgoingonbelow,redversusblack.Hecametothecentreoftheclash,whereavastspearheadofthered-skinneddaemonshadpenetrateddeeply into the black forces. Giant, brass-clad towers ground daemon flesh into pulp as they rolledforward,theirbaroquecannonbelchinggunsmoke.Attheverytipoftheformationthemostmonstrousbloodthirsterofthemallfought,oneoftheeighttothepower of eight to the power of eight lieutenants of Khorne. So many were the multitudes of thebloodthirstersthatnomancouldknoweveryoneoftheirnumber,butthiscreaturecladinbrazenarmour,ape-facedandfiery-breathed,wasknowntoallthoseofSanguinius’linepermittedtolearnthetruthofthewarp.‘Ka’Bandha,’whisperedMephiston.+Donotspeakitsname,+urgedtheeldar.+Youputusatrisk.+‘ThenwhyamIhere?’saidMephiston.Asifinanswer,Ka’Bandhathrewbackhisheadandhowledwithragesopotentthegroundshookandtheskyansweredwithpealsofthunder.Anavalancheofskullsrumbledoffthemountainrange,buryingthousandsofcombatantsalive.Mephiston’sfuryburnedhighinhisbreast.Hewantedtodescendtorendandtearwiththemall.‘Imustleavehere,orIamlost.Releaseme,xenos.’+Notyet!Watch!+Mephiston’sattentionwasdirectedtothedistance.Atitanicaxeoffirewoundedtheyellowsky.Aslashopenedtheworldfromheavenstodeeps.Throughitshonethecoldlightofrealspacestars.+Thewayopens.TheBaneofAngelscomes.+Ka’Bandharoaredagain,andhisrageinfectedeverythingwithinearshot.Mephistonstruggledtocontrolhimself.Heforcedhimselftoobserveastherisingtideoffuryswallowedhismind.Abovetherift,anangelofscarletfireignitedintobeing,hiswingsfillingthesky.Hisoutlineshiveredwithheatdistortion.Hisswordburned.ThemellifluousvoiceoftheeldarspokeinMephiston’sear,soclosehecouldfeelthething’sbreath.‘Hold fast.Watch for the end.A lord ofmen returns.Donot fall, do not fall! Stand fast, two-souledMephiston.Nowisthetimeofending,andofbeginning.’AsheetingflashendedhisvisionandMephistonfellforanage.TheLordofDeathreturnedtolifefullofrage.Heclawedmindlesslyattheinsideofhissarcophagus.Equipment broke to sparking wreckage. Velvet shredded. Soft ivory scored under his nails. The lidjudderedonitsmountingsathisferociousstrength.Alarmspeepedandwhistled.Thesepulcrumechoedtothetollingofabellsolargethesarcophagusvibratedasifstruckbytheclapper.Mephistonwasoblivioustothehavochehadunleashed.Outoutout!hescreamedinhismind,thoughonly incoherent snarls left his mouth. The machinery that held the coffin lid closed squealed withoppositionaleffort.Thoughthelockswerepowerful,theycouldnotresisthiswarp-bornstrength.Helashedoutwithhismind,sendingascarlettideofenergyatthesarcophaguslid.Withacrack,theivorylidsplitintwoandbouncedontotheplatformfloor.Onehalfhungfromwreckedpneumaticclosures,theotherskiddedthroughaslickofbloodandfellfromtheplatform,bangingfromthesidesofthesepulcrumasitcrashedintotheindeterminatedeepsofthelibrarius.Rippingathisownflesh,Mephistonfellforward,tangledinthefeedlinesandhibernationmonitorsstillpluggedintohisblackcarapace’sneuralports.Bloodsquirtedfromtubesashetorethemfree.

Mephiston landed in thewreckageof thesarcophagus.Hotangerburned throughhim.Hefelthimself,whatever he was, slipping away. Mephiston, Calistarius – both were at risk. He was in danger ofbecomingsomethingelseagain.Thisisnotyourrage,saidacold,impersonalvoice.Hisvoice,Mephiston’svoice,thoughitseemedtocomefromwithout.ThisisnotSanguinius’sacredrage,itsaid.Castitfromyou.Itisimpure.Rapid blinks shuttered over eyes rolled back into his skull.Mephiston convulsed and vomited a thinstreamofbloodysaliva.Withaferalhalfgroan,halfshout,hepushedtheangeroutofhismindasifhewereshoulderingaphysicalobjectaside.Theragepassed.Gaspingfromthedepthsofhissoul,Mephistongotupontohishandsandknees.Bloodpooledupontheplatformaroundhim.Nearby,Mephiston’spersonalartificerwaitedstoicallyfordeathuponhisplatform.Mephistonsensedhisanticipation;thewretchwishedtodie.‘Youliveanotherday!’gaspedtheLordofDeath.Agitatedcyber-constructsshriekeddownfromtheirroostsandwarilycircledMephiston.Preciousvitae,spiced with chemical improvement, ran from the edge of his platform in a helical waterfall as thesepulcrum’smechanismcontinuedonitsceaselesscourse.Thebell’s tollingsummoned theLibrariansof theAdeptusAstartessoonenough.Whether toaid theirmasterortocontainamonstertheydidnotknow,buttheycamedownthestairstoMephiston’splatforminstrengthandarmoured,theweaponsoftheirmindsandfistspreparedfortheworst.EpistolaryGaiusRhacelus arrived first.Hewas personally closest toMephiston in the librarius, butmostreadytodowhatmustbedonedespitetheirfriendship.Theguardiansofthespherescameafterhim,their huge swords at the ready.Rhacelus hurried throughMephiston’s strange study and onto the stepsleadingtotherestplatform.Whenhisfeetwerewettedbythepoolofblood,Mephistonlookedupathisequerrywithburningeyes.Hewasnaked,smearedinblood,hislonghairstickywithit,savageineveryaspect;hewasneverthelessincontrol.‘Standdown.Iamnotyetdamned,Rhacelus,’saidMephistonquietly.Thewychlight shining inRhacelus’ face faded, though it neverdied.His aged featureswere suffusedalways by power leaking from warp-damaged eyes. He held up his hand. The warriors behind himrelaxedfromtheirreadinessforcombatandbeganissuingorders,bringingmindlessservitorsintorepairthedamagetotheSepulcrumMaleficus.Theirlabourswouldbeslowlyperformed.BloodthrallsunderthedirectionofaTechmarinewouldhavecompletedtheworkinhours,butonlymembersofthelibrariuswereallowedintothisinnermostsanctum.FewoutsidetheQuorumEmpyric,thelibrarius’rulingbody,wereawareofitsexistence.‘Mephiston! By the Blood, what has happened to you?’ said Rhacelus. He reached for his master.Mephistonpushedhisfriend’shandawayandsatbackonhishaunches.‘Itisthefuturethatshouldconcernyou.’Mephistoncoughed.‘FetchAphek!’Rhacelus snapped over his shoulder.He looked overMephiston again and his frowndeepenedfurther.‘AndSanguinaryPriestAlbinus.Wewillhavethembothlookyouover,mylord.’TheLordofDeathshookhishead,sendinghisblood-thickhairswinging.‘Notnow.Thereisnotime.Helpme,’Mephistonsaid.‘HelpmeintotheChemicSpheres.Imusthaveanswers.Quickly.’Rhacelus stood. He nodded, concern writ large upon his grey-bearded face. Mephiston couldcommunicatemuchwith fewwords. ‘Sheatheyour swords.’Rhacelusmotioned to theguardiansof thespheres.‘Carryhim.’

Mephistonwashalfdraggeddownmoist,crumblingcorridorstotheChemicSpheres.Theroomwasfullof the lightof thecaptivestar Idalia.Amilkydomeoccupied thecentre.Allwaspureandwhite,untilRhacelus employedhis bloodkey, injecting thedomewith a shot of vitae, sending crimsoncircuits ofpsychicpoweralloveritssurfaceandopeningtheseamlessdoortotheinterior.Palegloomturnedpinkas he entered, the tracery of activated psychic circuits racing out from his feet. A claw-footed thronematerialisedfromthesanguineglow,andRhacelusmotionedthattheChiefLibrarianbeplaceduponit.Mephistonhalffellintothethrone,swallowingheavily.Theguardiansretreated,leavingRhacelusalonewithhismaster.‘Tellmewhathappened,’Rhacelussaid.‘Idreamed,’saidMephistonwearily.‘Youdonotdream.NotintheLongSleep.Youdonotallowyourself.’‘DreamIdid,’saidMephiston.‘Ihadnochoice.Aneldarbroughtmethevision,Ithink.Therearegreatforcesatplay.’He tookadeepbreath,stillweak. ‘Firstly,something isabout tohappen to theDiamortaskforce.Ididnotsee,butIfeltit.’Hestruggledthroughhismemoriesofhisvision,butlikealldreamstheywerefading.‘Imustfocus!Helpme,Rhacelus.ThelivesofathirdofourChapterdependuponit.’Theepistolarygestured.Hiseyesflared.Asecondthronemanifestedfromnothing.Hetookhisplaceinitandclosedhiseyes,lendinghispowertoMephiston’s.Theirsoulsentwined,andthetwoofthemlookeduponafracturedfuture.ThedarkstainoftheshadowinthewarpencroachedupontheBaalsystem,blottingoutthesoul-lightofstarsinitswakeandleavingnothing but hungering blackness that spread like ink through water. From the direction of HivefleetLeviathan’s approach therewas none of the psychic noise generated by the Imperium’s astrotelepathicnetwork, no crackling pops as ships entered and left warp space, no susurrus generated by themultitudinoussoulsofinhabitedworlds,nopsychicscreamsofdyingplanets,noalienthoughtsorpsychicechoes from the past, only a blank and oppressive silencemore forbidding than a storm front.Whenfocusedupon,thesilencegavewaytothechitteringoftheswarm.Randomseemingatfirst,thehorribleuniformityofinnumerablemindsworkinginsynchronicitybecameapparent.Therewassomethingelse,athrummingtensiontoreality’sfabricthatmadeallshakeandvibrateliketheskinofadrumlightlystruck,thoughtherhythmitplayedgrewmoreviolentwitheveryheartbeat.+ThereisadisturbanceinthewarpgreaterthanthatoftheGreatDevourer,+thoughtMephiston.+ItiswhatIfelt.IsawCadiainflames.++ThisisthedangertotheDiamorfleet?++Maybe.Thatwassomethingelse.Somethingearlier.Wemustsee!++Letusseeifwecanjoinwithourbrothers,+saidRhacelus.+EpistolaryAsasmaeliswiththem.Letuscalltohim.+Theyflewthroughnon-spacetolookuponthefringesofDiamor.Worldsmovedinstatelyfashionaroundabluegiant.Unusuallyplacidforastarofitskind,itbatheditsplanetarychildrenwithbrightcyanlight.AlreadytheAngelicBladeandtheFlameofBaal,thestrikecruisersoftheFifthCompany,werepresentwith a small flotilla of escorts, their red livery black in the blue starshine.MoreBloodAngelswerecoming,MephistonandRhaceluscouldsensetheirapproach,urgedontogreatspeedthroughthewarpasifsomeagencywishedthemtoarrivewithHighChaplainAstorath’sforce.+Wewillwarnthem,+thoughtMephiston.A sense of imminence afflicted them, and they looked on in anguish as a malevolent mind reachedthroughtheveilofrealities.SpectraljawsformedaroundtheAngelicBladeandsnappedshut.Ablood-redpsychicstormwreathedtheships.Aterriblescreamresoundedthroughthewarp,blastingMephistonwiththeanguishofdozensofwarriorslosttomadnesstogether.TheAngelicBladelisted,fallingoffits

course.TheFlameofBaalventedatmospherefromadozendeepgashesinitsflanksandsteamedahead,pullingawayfromitssister.Allthiswouldhavetakenhoursinrealtime.MephistonandRhaceluswatchedasithappened,buttheyweredivorcedfromthemortalrealm,andtimemoveddifferentlyforthem.Warpenginesmadebrighttracksuponthepsychicfirmamentasvesselsforcedtheirwayintorealspace,arriving moments after the storm that assailed their brothers. The markings of the First, Second andSeventhCompaniesoftheBloodAngelsweredisplayeduponthem.Itshouldhavebeenanupliftingsight,to see their brothers safe through the immaterium and heading to war, but other powers wished themstopped.Thearriving fleet stoodoff from theAngelicBlade.Uncertaintycoloured thewarp.Seeingsomethingwasamiss,thevesselsDantehadsentfromCryptusspedtowardstheirbeleagueredbrothers.Asorrowingmindreachedouttotouchtheirs,gropingthroughthepsychicbacklash.+IhaveAsasmael+,thoughtRhacelus,hismindstrainedatthepainofmakingcontactatsuchdistances.HeandMephistonstruggledtohearAsasmael’svoice.Hispresencewassnatchedawaybeforehecouldimpartasenseofwhathadhappened.Thedrumbeat ripplingofempyricaldisturbance intensified.FellintelligencesnoticedRhacelusandMephiston’sastralpresences,andturnedtheirattentionuponthem.+Enough!+saidMephiston.Mephiston’s eyes snapped open.Without pausing for breath he thrust himself from the throne,waveddownavoxcherubandbeganissuingorders.‘Marcello!SendwordtotherelayonBaalSecundus.HaveourastropathsfocustheirattentionsupontheDiamorsystem.Letthelibrariusaidthem.FindKarlaenandtherest.’‘Mylord,’saidEpistolaryMarcello’svoicefromthesilverlipsofthecherub.‘Somethingterriblehashappenedtothetaskforce,’hesaidtoRhacelus.‘WemustspeakwithAsasmael.WeshallgototherelayonBaalSecundus,andenlistMasterLeeter’said.’‘There isworse on theway,’ saidRhacelus.He shut his glowing eyes, and rubbed behind his skull,scratchingattheinterfacesocketsofhispsychichood.‘Yes,’saidMephistonabsently,hisminddriftingbacktothevisionofKa’Bandha.ThiselementofhisvisionhewouldshareonlywiththeChapterMaster.‘Farworse.CommanderDantemustbeinformed.’

CHAPTERFIVEBLADEOFVENGEANCE

‘Isitnotglorious?’saidErwin.Histeethprickedathislipsinanticipation.‘Asyousay,captain,’saidAchemen.Erwinstoodfreeofhisthrone,trustingtotheServileLocumtorunthecommandsystemsforhim.HeandAchemenwerefullyarmedforbattle.Erwinworeapowerswordbeltedtohisside.Aboxystormbolterhungfromastraparoundhisrightshoulder,thegunbeingtoobigtomag-locktohisbattleplate.FifteenofhisTacticalMarinesstoodatvariouspointsaroundthebridge,gunsintheirhands.Theyexpectedtobeboarded.Theywantedit.The Splendid Pinion cut its way through space towards a world shrouded in a cloud of tyrannicspacecraft.Fromfiftythousandmilesoutthealienslookedlikeaswarmofnocturnalinsectsmobbingalumen.‘Numbers!’demandedErwin.‘Forty-seventhousanddestroyerclassandlargerbio-ships,mylord,’saidtheServileoftheWatchdrily.‘Orthereabouts.’‘Imperialnumbers?’saidErwin.‘Twobattle-barges:theBladeofVengeance,BloodAngels,andtheCrimsonTear,AngelsNuminous.’‘TheBladeofVengeanceitself!’saidErwineagerly.Achemengavehimamoroselook.Helackedtheproperenthusiasm.‘Sixstrikecruisers,’theServileoftheWatchwenton,‘andthirty-fiveescortcraft.’‘Isthatit?’saidErwinincredulously.‘Thoseareimpossibleodds,’saidAchemen.‘Wecannotwin.’‘Ah!OurbrothersintheBloodarenotseekingvictory,’saidErwin.‘Look.’Burstsof lightmarkedoutbattle in theencircling shroudof thehive fleet.The shipsof the Imperiumwere invisible at that distance, but the destruction they meted out was not. Spheres of dazzling lightenvelopedaliencraft, blastingholes in the swarm.Twinklesof anunleashedbroadside sparked in theshiftingcloudsofxenosships.‘Impossibleodds,’repeatedAchemen.

‘Thetyranidsarenotthetarget,’saidErwin.Shockwaves rippled through the atmosphere of Zozan Tertius. A circle of the sky turned black. Itsexpandingcircumferencecrackledwithviolentelectricalstorms,andthecentreglowed–thetelltalesignofplanetdeathbycyclo-nucleonicfire.‘Exterminatus,’saidAchemenbleakly.‘TheKryptmannsolution,’saidErwin.‘Starvethehorde.ThesituationmustbedesperateifanobleheartlikeCommanderDantewouldconsiderthedeathofworlds.ServileofResponse,sendthemamessage.Hololithic transmission,’ commanded Erwin. ‘Commit primary projector to the purpose. Maximumboost.’‘Yes,mylord,’saidtheServileofResponse.Thestrategicdisplaywinkedoutover themainhololithpit,and itsstylisedrepresentationof thevoidwas picked up by lesser tacticaria. In its place a pale sphere glowed, gradually coalescing into theghostlyshapeofaBloodAngelsfleetofficer.‘Greetings,mybrother,’saidErwin.‘IamCaptainErwin,SecondCompanyoftheAngelsExcelsisandcommanderoftheSplendidPinion.Weansweryourcallforaid.’‘I am Brother Asante, fleet captain of the Blade of Vengeance.’ Noise spill from the Blade ofVengeance’s command deck crowded the audio channel. Interference from tyranid jamming beastsinterruptedthevisual,causinghisfacetomomentarilyfreezeandjumpapartintoblurredimageblocks.‘Yourpresenceiswelcome,’saidAsante.Hiswordssmearedintooneanother.Thesoundofvoicesandship’s guns swelled in the background. ‘We are preparing to fall back. Cover our… rrrrrr.’ Asante’simageflickeredout.‘Gethimback!’commandedErwin.‘Mylord.Thereisheavyinterferenceonallfrequencies.Ourcommunicationsarebeingtargeted.’‘Icarenotforreasons!DoasIcommand,bringthecaptainback!’TheServileofResponseworkedasbesthecouldwithErwinglaringathim.Servitorsmoanedandgaveouttheirmonotonereports.ThehololithcrackledandAsanteburstbackintoexistence.‘…ese coordinates. Come to a halt, and prepare for further orders.’ Asante half moved out of theprojectionfield,shoutingordersthatthecrewoftheSplendidPinioncouldnothear.BehindAsante’swavering head, the battle had filled the oculus.ZozanTertius’ blackening orb filledmostof thegreatwindow, the firesof itsdeathcreepinground the farside.Theshipsof thehive fleetwererevealedasvoid leviathans, thingswithcurledshellsandmouthsofwrithingtentacles,orbodieslikeslugscoveredinasteroidalrockgluedintoplaceovertheirskin,liketheaquaticlarvaeofpredatoryinsects.Thevarietyofcraftintheswarmwasastounding.ThetyranidshadweightclassestomatcheveryvesseltheImperiumpossessed,fromindividualfighterstocapitalships,andmorebesides.Theplanet’sorbitwascrammedwithxenoslifepropelledbygasplumes.Dartsofgristleandbonetooktheplaceoftorpedoes, fast hunting beasts driven by bioplasma jets replaced interceptors; long,whale-like carrierbeastsejectedsporesandhunter-killersfromtheirsidesbythethousand.Thetacticariahololithswerearedblizzardoflifesigns.Asantelookedbackintohishololithimager.‘Asanteout.’‘Friendly,’saidErwin.‘Heispreoccupied,’saidAchemen.‘Youknow,whentheEmperor’sgiftswereimplantedintoyourbody,Achemen,Ithinktheyleftouttheorganresponsibleforasenseofhumour.Whereisyourjoy?Wegointobattle!’‘Thereisonlyroomfordutyinmyheart.’‘Youhavetwo,’Erwinremindedhim.

‘TheotherisfullofsorrowforthepeopleofourImperium,’saidAchemen.Erwinmadeanexasperatednoise.‘Putthetacticaldisplaybackonthemainhololith.Dowehavethecaptain’scoordinates?’‘Yes,mylord,’saidtheServileoftheWatch.Theglowingsphereofthetacticalhololithtookplaceatthecentreofthedeckagain.Uponitabluesignifierblinkedamidtheswirlingmessoftyranidlifesigns.AdottedlinedescribedtheSplendidPinion’strack,asdesiredbyCaptainAsante.Erwinleanedontherailingaroundthecommandthrone’sdais.HestaredatthesuggestedcourseintentlyforseveralminutesastheSplendidPinionhurtledtowardsthedevouringswarm.‘Notthere,’saidErwinfinally.‘Mylord?’saidtheServileLocum.‘Asantegaveusorders,’saidAchemen.‘ThelasttimeIlooked,youworethewingedaxeoftheAngelsExcelsisuponyourpauldronandnottheblooddripofBaal,’saidErwin.‘HeisnotofourChapter,Iadmit,buthehasseniority,’saidAchemen.‘Youwouldobeyhim,then?’‘TheyareourfounderChapter.Asanteisrenownedacrossthesegmentumasatalentedvoidcommander.Hecommandsabattle-barge.WegototheaidoftheBloodAngels.Yes,Iwouldobeyhim,fortheseandmanyotherreasons,brother.’‘Well,Iwillnot,’saidErwin.‘NotuntilLordFollordarktellsmethatImustabandonmyjudgementandblindly follow another’s.Asante’swithdrawal is flawed.Theywill be cut off by these twogroupingshere.’ Erwinworked a consolewith buttons sized for his armoured hands, his fingers clacking on theplastek.Additional indicators leaptonto thehololith. ‘Doyousee?Thesemovements lookrandom,buttheyarenot, there isapredationpatternconcealedwithin it. Ifhebreaks thewayhe sayshewill,histrailingvesselswillbecutoffanddestroyed.’Achemenscrutinisedthegraphicsthrownupbyhiscaptainontothedisplay.‘WhydidAsantenotseeit?’‘Maybehe isnot as finea commanderasyou sayhe is, though I shallbecharitableandattribute theoversighttohispreoccupationwiththebattle.Servileof theHelm,takeusonthisheading.’Erwin,notlinked to the ship’s systems directly while he was out of the throne, was once again obliged to usephysical interfaces to display his desired path on the hololith. ‘Bring us down to quarter speed. Turnseventy-fivedegrees.Presentourportflanktotheswarm.Maintainanobliqueheadingtowardsthemainbody of the fleet. Servile Belligerent, have all our weapons brought online, loaded and standing by.ServileScutus,activatevoidshields.Increasereactoroutputtomaximum–Iwillneedallourspeedandallourpower.’His crew obeyed. The constant reactor vibration, that machine shake that stood in for a heartbeat,increasedinfrequency.Alarmsandnotificationtocsinssoundedandweredulysilenced.‘NowwewillseeifitisIorAsantewhoisthebettervoidsman,’saidErwinwithrelish.By now the blackness of planet death had spread its way across all of Zozan Tertius. Lavabombscrackedthecrust,shockwavesdidtherest.Smokeobscuredthefaceoftheworld.ThevoiddimmedasZozan’splanetshinewentout,swallowedbyaglobalpallofsmoke.TheBladeofVengeanceandtheCrimsonTearbrokeandran.SpaceMarinecraftmovedsurprisinglyquicklyforshipsofsuchmass.Theyturnedaboutandreorderedtheirformation,strikecruisersmakingahollowboxaroundthetwobattle-barges.Theymovedoffevenastheymanoeuvred,allweaponsblazingat the tyranid swarmsnow theplanetwas in its death throes.Lancebatteriesmadeadeadly latticeoflaserbeamsaroundthebattlegroup.Pinpointtorpedostrikesdestroyedhighprioritythreats.The hive fleet sent wave after wave of grapple-armed nautiloids at the battle-barges, but the Space

Marinesaboardmaintainedapunishingrateoffire.Planetkillingbombardmentcannonsguttedhundredsofbio-ships.Thetyranidshadnoprotectiveenergyfields,relyingonsheernumberstooverwhelmtheirfoe.WithinmomentsthecloudsofbrokenfleshandfrozenfluidsalreadyaroundtheSpaceMarinefleethad thickened considerably. The SpaceMarines powered away from the planet, a sphere of tyranidsaroundthem.TheswarmdistortedastheSpaceMarinesmovedoffandthousandsofbio-shipsfollowedthem,draggingtheteeminglifeformsaroundtheworldintoateardrop.‘The enemy is confounding our allies,’ said Erwin. ‘They are blinding them. Observe, the groups Iindicatedmaketheirplay,aspredicted.Thereisaweaknessattherearoftheenemyinterception.Theyseektotemptour brotherstomakeaswiftrunfromtheirattackers.Ofcourse,Asantewillseethatasatrap,butwillbeforcedtoexploititanyway.’‘And so they will be driven right into the arms of the approaching subswarm,’ said Achemen withdawningrealisation.Erwinnodded.‘DidInotsuggestthiswouldhappen?’‘Weshouldwarnthem.’‘Weshould,’saidErwin.‘Idoubtitwillbepossible.’Achemenfrowned.‘Weshouldatleasttry.’‘ServileofResponse!Whatsayyou?’The Servile of Response went around his small kingdom of desks and cyborg slaves with nervousefficiency.‘Wecannot,mylord.Theenemyemploytotalbandinhibitorbroadcasts.’‘Soyousee.Youarenotafoolishwarrior,Achemen,butyouoverrelyonthosewhocommandyou.Youmake assumptions about situations, about what those above you know. You can think beyond theserestrictions,yoursisafinemind.Ifyouareevertobecomecaptain,youmusttranscendtheselimitations.Youhavetoolittleconfidenceinyourownabilities.’TheSplendidPinion rushedacrossspace.Thehivemindfinallydeigned topayattention to thisnew,negligible threat. Brass risk counter dials clicked upward. Servitors pedantically mumbled outunfavourableodds.Onthehololith,twoblotscomprisinghundredsofshipsbrokeawayfromtheworldandmadedirectlyfortheSplendidPinion.‘Enemymovingtointercept,’saidtheServileoftheWatch.‘Holdcourseandholdfire,’orderedErwin.‘Youaretakingusdirectlyintothetailofthepursuitswarm,’saidAchemen.‘Asismyintention,seniorsergeant,’saidErwin.‘Nowtheswarm.SeehowtheassembledshipsoftheBlood Angels and the Angels Numinous attempt to break through the weakness in the encirclementsphere?Seehowtheenemyisreadytorespond?’Through the oculus, the feigned weak spot in the encirclement sphere cracked with the light ofmacrocannon bombardment. A wall of tyranid constructs blew apart, and from the interior sailed theSpaceMarinesfleet.‘Nowwatchhowtheirhindmostvessel…’ErwinlookedquestioninglyattheServileoftheWatch.‘TheStaffofLight,mylord.’‘WatchhowtheStaffofLightissuretobecaught.Itisdamaged,’saidErwin.Hebroughtupamagnifiedview and circled plasma venting from its drive stack with a quick movement of his finger over agelscreeninterface.‘YourvauntedCaptainAsantehasnotseenthis.Seehowdesperatelytheyruntokeepup.Theyaredoomed.’The sunwelled around the black edge of ZozanTertius, haloed through the densely packed tyranids.Realisingtheirpreyworldhadbeenrenderedinedible,thegoverningmindoftheswarmdisengagedtherestofthesplinterfleetfromtheplanetandsetapursuitcoursefortheImperialships.Thexenoshadno

chanceof gainingon the humanvessels, and so those set to trap themwere redirected to close surelyaround theStaff ofLight. The numbers attacking the battle-barges and other ships dwindled.Asante’staskforcepulledfree,thoughtheyremainedunderheavyfire.Voidshieldsblinkedandflickered.Auspexbankswarbled aboard the command deck of the Splendid Pinion at their collapse. An escort cruiserpeeledawayfromtheformation,firestreamingfromitasitsatmosphereburnedup,andbrokeapart.‘Asanteismakingarunforsafetranslationdistance,’saidAchemen.‘Ifwefollowhisorders–’‘Hissuggestion,Achemen,’interruptedErwin.‘Hissuggestionthen,weshallalsobesafe,andwecancovertheirretreat.Thatwashisintention.’ErwinwatchedAsante’sfleetpullaway,leavingthelaggingStaffofLightfurtherbehind.Hundredsofhiveshipswereturningfromthepursuit,andfallinglikepelagicpredatorsonbleedingprey.‘Dowewishtolosehowevermanyofourbloodlinebrothersareaboardthatship?’saidErwin.‘No,mylord,’saidAchemen.‘No, indeed.So,watchmesave them.Fullspeedahead.ServileBelligerent,prepare toopenfire,allweapons!’

Two battle-barges punching their way out of total encirclement was a spectacle to be remembered.Broadsides rippling, theyannihilated thousandsof the tyranidshipsmobbing them.Voidshieldsburnedwithpurple fire.Tyranid torpedoesandboarding spines flashed intonothing, shunted into thewarpbyancienttechnologies,ortheiratomssunderedandtheenergiescagedinsidesetlooseinblindingflashesofannihilatedmatter.Strikecruisersandescortcraftoperatedaroundthepairedleviathans,protectingthebattle-barge’smorevulnerableapproaches,butitwasthebattle-bargesthatdidthemajorityofthework,efficientlysectioningthe three-dimensional battlefield between them and filling it with a punishing barrage.Macrocannonslobbed timed-fusemunitions into themidst of tyranid attack squadrons. Fusion beamers burned acrossspace,slicingapartshipaftershipbeforeshuttingoff,thenfiringagain.‘Look at that,’ saidErwin. ‘Asante is running his fusion beams to the overheating threshold.His guncrewsmustbeexemplary.’Heraisedhisvoice.‘See,serviles!Thatishowarealshipisrun.Takenote.’Plasmaprojectorssentoutshorter-livedraysofenergy,solarbrightanddamagingtotheeyesofthosewholookedatthem.‘Yes,’saidErwin.‘Asantedeserveshisreputation,butnomanisperfect.’Erwinpointedanarmouredfinger at the Staff of Light. It was increasingly isolated at the edge of the fleet. Tyranid responsesquadrons turned back from the assault on themain battle group and bore down on it. ‘Servile of theHelm,takeusonadirectinterceptcoursefortheStaffofLight.Openfirenowasweclose–makemeaholeinthexenossothatwemightcomealongsideandhelpthem.’TheAngelsNuminousstrikecruiserwasofthesameclassastheSplendidPinion,albeitofadifferingpattern. The variation of its armament and shape was superficial. It had the same blocky rear hullcontaining the engines, main weapons and fighter bays. A short neck housed bombardment cannonbatteries,embarkationdeckanddropports.Itsflatprowwasprotectedbyapairofblastshieldsgivingitahammer-headedappearance.TheStaffofLightwasapalegreywithvermillionshields.TheSplendidPinionwasbrightwhitewithredaccents.Theyweresisters,andtheSplendidPinionrushedtohelpitsbeleagueredsibling.‘SendamessagetoCaptainAsante.InformhimwearemovingtoaidtheStaffofLife.’‘Thereisextensiveinterferencestill,mylord.Icannotraisethem,’saidtheServileofResponse.‘Keeptrying.’‘Yes,mylord.’

‘Mylord,’saidtheServileoftheWatch.‘TheStaffofLighthaslostitsshields.Theenemyareboardinginstrength.’‘Weshouldleavethem.Asantewillhavehadhisreasons,’saidAchemen.Theywatchedashundredsoftyranidassaultsporesrushedattheship,butitwasnotdoneyet,andmostwereburstapartbypointdefenceweaponry.‘They are still firing,’ said Erwin. ‘The Blood Angels may condone this sacrifice, but I will not.Serviles,howliesthefieldforpulsedlasercommunication?’‘Possible,butdifficult,mylord,’saidtheServileofResponse.‘Thereisagreatdealofdebrisbetweenusthatwillcorruptdataburstsordispersethemcompletely.’‘Thentheywillbesurprisedtoseeus.Achemen,summonyoursquadandOrsini’s,havethemreporttothedropdeck.ServileBelligerent,targetpreferenceforboardingspines.Takeusincloser.Theshorterdistance our boarding torpedoesmust go, the better it will be. Shelter the Staff of Light as much aspossiblewithourvoidshields.KeepattemptingcommunicationwithbothCaptainAsanteandtheStaffofLight.Seeifyoucanformadatabridgesowemightcoordinateourfire.’Thesparsehumancrewgaveachorusof ‘yes,my lord’aseachorderwaspasseddown thechainofcommand.TheStaffofLightrolledintheoculusastheSplendidPinionsailedover it.Thegreyskinof thehullwaspockedwithacidburnsallalongitslength,particularlytowardstherearportside.Whippingtendrilsdisappeared intomaggot holes twenty yards across as boarding spineswriggled theirway through theship’sarmourandintotheinteriorinsearchofmeat.Withthetwoshipsfiringintandem,theimmediatespacearoundthetwovesselswascleared,althoughsomeof thesmall tyranidcraftrunningaheadof themainfleetgot through,while thewallofwrigglingtentaclesandcallousedfleshblottingoutthedyingworldofZozanwasgainingonthem.‘Achemen,wehavetogonow.ServileLocum,youhavecommand.’‘My lord.’TheServileLocumactivatedhis command station; the crewof thebridge reoriented theirattentiontohim.‘Come, Achemen,’ said Erwin. ‘Let us show the Angels Numinous how the Angels Excelsis fight.Serviles,maintainbombardment.WedonotdepartuntileveryoneoftheAngelsNuminousisaboardtheSplendidPinionortheirshipisfreeoftheswarm.’

ThreeboardingtorpedoesburnedthroughthespinalwayoftheStaffofLife.Meltaarrayswhooshed.Theair shimmeredwithheatandmoltenmetal randown thewalls.The torpedoes shudderedas their trackunits shut off and themelta arrays cut out.For a second, quiet returned.Gunsboomed in thedistance,shakingtheship.Moltenplasteelglowedfromwhitetoorangetoredintheunlitcorridor.Metalpinkedasitcooled.Explosiveboltsblewonthetorpedoes’prows,smashingtheiraccessrampsdownwithenoughforcetopushawayanyfinalobstruction.Erwinandhismendeployedrapidly,andwereimmediatelyconfrontedbyatumblingspillofattackorganisms.Hissingthingsthesizeofhumanchildrenspedatthemfrombothends of theway, long scythe-limbs raised and ready to kill.Bolters opened fire before themetal slagcreated by the Angels Excelsis’ landing had hardened. Bolt propulsion flares strobed the dim spinalcorridor.Thebattlefieldwasdark,fullofacridfumes,but theSpaceMarinescouldbarelymiss.Theirbolts ploughed into a crowd of aliens, blasting internal organs to pulp and sending shattered chitincrackingoffthewalls.Creaturesbehindtheirfallenbroodmatesslippedonspilledentrails.Thetyranidscameonregardless,heedlesslytramplingthefallen.DespitethetolltheSpaceMarinestookonthebeasts,theycontinuedtoadvancequicklyfrombothstern

and prow of the ship, leaping over one another in theirmindless haste to close. TheAngels Excelsisadoptedastandardspreadorderastheyfired,formingintotwolooseskirmishlinesbacktoback.TheystoodwithtwoyardgapsbetweeneachSpaceMarine,sothattheirlinescoveredabouthalfthewidthofthe spinalway. The lines bent back at each end, and the brothers anchoring the ends stoodwith theirbackpacksalmost touching.With theSpaceMarinespositionadjusted,xenos fell like cropsbefore theharvester.Registeringtheirlosses,theswarmabruptlychangedtactics.Largenumbersofthemswitcheddirectionsimultaneously,headingfortheopenedgesofthecorridortoboxtheSpaceMarinesinwhileyetmorepouredforwarddirectlyattheirpreys’gunstotiethemup.Notoneofthecreaturesgotwithinstrikingdistance.Forafullminute,theSpaceMarinesfired,eachbattle-brotherkeepingtohisownpace,reloadingwhennecessary,coveringhissquadmateswhenitwasneeded.Despitethenumberofbeastsattackingthem,theSpaceMarinessightedeveryburstcarefully,theiradaptedbrainsmakingmicrosecondadjustmentssothatalltheirroundshittheirmark.‘Ceasefire!’shoutedErwin.The last bolt roundbangedout of a gun and rusheddown thehall, detonatingwith a flash somewayaway.Thenallwasstill.Pilesofxenosbodiesconfrontedthem.Nomorecame.Fycelinesmokemergedwiththegreasymetalvapoursoccasionedbytheirentry.Erwin loweredhisstormbolterandpushedadog-likealienoverwithhisboot.Twoof its fourarmsweremissing.Yellowichordribbledfromthewounds.‘’Gauntstrain,’hesaid.Helookeddownthewaytowardsthemainsection.Verymuchlikethespinalcorridoronhisownship,itwasfortyyardsacrossandalmostashigh.Tracksforshiptrainsrandownthemiddle, and theceilingwascrammedwithhundredsofpipesandconduits asdenseas a rhizomemat.Therewasascreechingcomingfromacorridorofftheway.Theshipshooktothedischargeofitsgunsand the impact of tyranid spores. ‘Where are theAngelsNuminous?’ he said.He switched his vox tounciphered broadcast. ‘This is Captain Erwin of the Angels Excelsis. If our brothers of the AngelsNuminousarepresent,declareyourselves.Wehavecometoretrieveyoufromtheship.’Hegotonlystaticbackinreply.‘Auspex,’Erwinsaid.‘Givemealifeformscan.’SergeantOrsiniunclampedahandheldauspexfromhislegandkeyeditintoactivation.Itsgentlepingingrobbedsomeofthefuryfromthemufflednoiseofwar.Thesergeantsenttheresultsdirectlytothecaptain’ssensorium.‘There are concentrations of life ahead,my lord, Iwould say the enemy,’ saidOrsini. ‘Nothing else.Minorreturnsonfixedorganismstoeithersideofus.Gundeckservitors,Iwouldguess.’Erwinmade a thoughtful noise. ‘We shall head to the command deck and secure it. Someone is stillaboardthisvessel,directingitsoperations.Forward!’Theyrandownthespinalcorridor,coveringthemileandahalftothemainhullquickly.Thelifesignswereconcentratedaroundthejunctureoftheship’sneckanditssterncommandsection.Erwin ordered hismen to slow as the glowing red indicator of enemy life signs drew close on hiscartolith.Sureenough,theysawthefoewiththeirowneyessoonenough.Abulkheadhidthefirstofthem,butonpassingtheywereconfrontedwithatyranidboardingspinedyinginthewall.Itwasalargeship-animal,theheavyarmourtoitsforegenerouslyprovidedwithtubulesfortheventingofacid.Itsforepartslookedlikeaspearhead,designedtopenetrateitstarget,withtheridged,layeredarmourplatescoveringitactingasbarbstopreventitbeingdrawnout.Nowitwasaboard,ithadlostitspredatorysleekness.Itsheadhadbeenflungopenintofourquartersafterpenetratingthevessel,anactionthatappearedtohavebeenfatal tothebeastitself.Thearmourhadopenedalongseamsthatwerecrackedandsplinteredinaway

thatmeanttheycouldneverrejoin,andtheskinandmusclesunderneathweretorn.Tentacleshangingfromtheinteriorfloppedweaklyagainsteachother,notevenattemptingtograsptheSpaceMarines.Mucousdrippedfromitstorngullet.Thethinghadnogutsofitsown;thefleshycavitywhereitsinternalorgansshould have been was occupied instead by transit bladders hanging from gristly fibres. What it hadtransportedwasimpossibletojudge.Acidleakedfromducts,meltingawideholeinthefloorandsendingupachokingsmogfromthedissolvingmetalthatstirredintheventilationsystems.Theauspexindicatedthereweremoreofthespineshangingfromthewallfurtheralong.Erwinslowedhismen.‘Somethingismovinginthismess.Beprepared.’Gunsclackedas theAngelsExcelsispulled theirbolters intosightingposition.Erwinmovedforwardslowly.Hishelmplatedisplayblinkedupcautionaryamberscreedasacidicfogcondensedonhisarmour.Therewasenoughcorrosivenessleftinthefumestodamagehisbattleplate’ssoftseals,ifheremainedinittoolong.‘There!’shoutedAchemen.Boltshotsfollowedhisword.The fog came alive with screeching shapes. Multi-limbed xenos nightmares poured forward. Theirhorrificappearancewasmadealltheworsebyasuperficialresemblancetohumanity.BrotherGolusofsquadAchemenfilledthecorridorwithpromethium.Therewasnotimeforrestraint–heemptiedtheentireflaskofhisflamer.Genestealersfellbackcoveredinfire,armsflailing,andtheirscreecheswere horribly human. The genestealerswere theworst of the enemy’sweapons, infiltrationbiomorphswhopervertedthebreedingcyclesofthecreaturestheycameacross.MostofthoseErwinhadfought had shown themark of human genetics, from their noses, perpetuallywrinkled in hate, to theirgraspinghands.Theyraninahunchedparodyofmen.Erwin’sgorgeroseatthisperversionofthesacredTerranform.‘Hatethealien,’hepronounced,shootingdownapurple-facedmonsterasitcameathim,clawedlimbsoutstretched.Genestealerswerehardertokillthan’gaunts.Theirbodiesweretoughenedinsideandouttowithstandcombat.Theirarmourwasthicker,theirorgansmoredeeplyburied.Thelowerpairofarmscarriedhuge,human-likehands, capable of ripping away aSpaceMarine’s helmet in one strike.Butwhatmade thecreaturesmostdangerousweretheirupperclaws,atrioofconicalspikeswithmonomolecularedges.Noothertyranidbiomorphwasmoresuitedtotearingthroughceramite.EventhethickplatesofTerminatorarmourofferedlittleprotectionagainstawell-placedblow.Tostandardpowerarmourtheyweredeadly.Agenestealer sprangoff itspowerfulback legs,upperclawsoutstretched todisembowel thecaptain.Erwin slashedwithhispower sword, cleaving threeof the fourarms from themonster’sbody.Still itlived,crashingintohim,severedarmsweepingthickblood.Itstalonedfeetscrapedathisarmour,scoringthepaintandscratchingthemetalbeneath.Theremainingupperclawsweptaroundinanattempttopunchthrough Erwin’s eye-lenses. Erwin opened fire, and the beast lifted back at the last moment, spinebreakingapartfromwithinandshoweringvisceraalloveritsbroodmates.Erwinshookthecorpsefreefromtheendofhisgun,andheldalofthissword.‘Slaythemall!Oncetheyaredead,thewayisclear!Purgethealien!Thestarsbelongtomankind!’Thegenestealerswouldnotdieeasily.Theywerewickedlyfast,dodgingblowsthatshouldhavehit,andrespondedwithdevastatingspeed.BrotherAgnarascloveintothechitinousexoskeletonofonewithhischainsword,onlytobeevisceratedbyanotherasthetoothedbladebuckedandroared,stuckfastinthecorpseofhisvictim.Agenestealerfellfromtheceiling,landingonBrotherChrystoofAchemen’ssquad.Chrystostaggeredbackwards, firingbehindhimas thegenestealerembracedhim inall fourarms, thenwrenchedoffhishead,aninsolentsneeronitshybridfeatures.BloodspoutedhighfromChrysto’sneck.

ThescentmadeErwin’sspittlerundownhischin.Hisdesiretogetatthebloodandlapitupsharpenedhisreflexesevenwhileitcloudedhismindwithrage.‘Slay!Slay!Slay!BytheBlood!BytheGreatAngel!’HeshoutedtheChapterwarcry,hisstormbolterbuckingferociouslyinhishandasitletoutastreamofmassreactives,blastinggenestealersawayfromhiswarriors,andlayinglowthoselopingthroughthechemicalfogtowardsthefight.‘Death! Death to xenos! Honour the Emperor through your slaughter!’ bellowed Erwin. He ran at agenestealerabouttodecapitateoneofhisembattledbrothers,andcutitcleaninhalfwithasingleblow.Hewassofocusedonhisbrothersthatoneofthefoealmosttookhimunawareswithachargefromtheside.Itwasalreadywounded,aboltcraterinitsstomachbleedingfreely,butitwasnotweakened,anditbarged Erwin off his feet. The captain twisted, landing on his back, sword across his front. Thegenestealerpouncedonhimashestruggledtogetupright.Onehuge,humanoidfistclosedaroundhisrighthand;longfingersscrabbledforhisswordhilt.Hecouldhaveswornthethingsmiledathimasitflickedthepowerstudofhisblade,killingthedisruptionfield.ItkeptErwin’shandtightlygrippedinitsown,preventing him from reactivating hisweapon.The thing bared black teeth, its hollow tongue emergingfromitsmawandsmearingsalivaacrosshishelmet.Erwinwrestledwithit,bracingitslowerhandswithhisdeadpowersword,butitwasfarstrongerthanitswirybodysuggested,andthecombinedeffortofhismusclesandarmourcouldnotshiftit.Itdrewbackitsupperclaws,readytostrike.Thethingshooktoatripletofboltimpacts.Stillhissing,itfellsidewaysfromhischest.Achemencametohisside.Firinghisbolterone-handedintothejerkingbodyofthegenestealer,thesergeantextendedhisotherhandtoErwin.Thecaptainlethisstormbolterhangbyitsstrapandgraspedhissecond’swrist;hisstabilisationjetsblastedheatedvapourtohelphimstand.‘Careful,captain,’saidAchemen,thenhewasawayagain,bolterbarkingdeath.Erwinhowledwithoutrage.Thethirsttighteneditsholdoverhim,goadinghimintocloserquarterswithhisenemy.Hisswordcrackledwithrenewedpower,andheswungitinwidearcsashechargedintothefoe,itsshiningedgeblurringintoanelectriccrescentwiththespeed.Severalmoreofthecreaturesfelltohiswrathbeforethecombatcalmed,andtheenemybackedawayfromhisrage.Theyhissedandsnappedathim,buttheywouldnotcomenear.Stealthily,theywithdrewintothechemicalfog.Achemen’s bolter banged behind him. The shattered remains of a genestealer fell from the ceiling,splashingblackbloodovertheparty.‘Mylord,thetyranidsareretreating!’shoutedtheforemostSpaceMarine.Shoutsofastonishmentandrapidboltgunfirefollowedthegenestealers’unexpectedwithdrawal.Abriefburstofgunfire,another,thensilence.TheSpaceMarinesbrokeforwardtofallinlinewiththeirforemostbrother,gunsup,repairingaformationdisruptedbycombat.‘Theyarewiserthantherestoftheirkin,’saidAchemen.‘Cunningisnotwisdom,’growledErwin.Hewasstrugglingnowtocontainthethirst.Heforceditback.Hehadtoconcentrate.Ifhegavein,hewoulddoomhiswarriors toagloriousbutpointlessdeath.Hesteadiedhimselfwiththeappropriatecatechisms.‘Norisrage,’saidAchemen.‘Whatareyourorders?’SixmortisrunespulsedonErwin’shelmplate.Whiteandredarmouredbodieslayamongthenumerousaliendead.‘Withdraw thedead from this fog,or theirgene-seedmaybe lost.Wewill retrieve thebodiesonourreturn.Erectateleporthomer,incasewedonotcomebackthisway.’Inalllikelihoodthebodieswouldbelostshouldtheyattempttoteleportthemback,butaslenderchancewasbetterthanforfeitingthegene-seedforsure.Hismenmovedintoaction,notneedingtobetoldwhowouldperformwhichtask;theysmoothlybroke

intotwogroups,onecovering,theothersdraggingtheirdeadbrothersfromthemist.OneSpaceMarinetookapackandtubefromhiswaist.Insecondshehadremovedahomer’scomponentsfromitspackaginganderectedthemachine.Aredlightblinkedontopofthepole,andasenseofdisquietemanatedinpulsesfromitshummingbody.‘Complete,mylord.’‘Wepressontothecommanddeck,’hesaid,pointingthroughthefog.‘Keepyourguardup.’Theshipshooktoamassiveimpact.Achemenglancedbacktowardstheprow.‘Thatwasnoexplosion.’‘Wemusthurry,’saidErwin.‘Scanforsurvivors.Oncewehavereachedthecommanddeck,wereturntotheSplendidPinion.Iwillnotlosemyownship.’Theyranpastthebodiesoftheothertyranidboardingspines.Erwinfoundthetechnologyaberrant,ifitcouldbetermedtechnology.Whatevercreatureshadbeendevouredtomakethespineshadbeenenslavedinthemostprofoundandtotalway.Therewasnodenyingtheirefficacy,however.Thespineshadhitthevoid ship precisely enough to avoid the gun decks lining the neck, then chewed andmelted theirwaythrough yards of armour to reach the corridor before dying in a frenzy of disgorgement. Past the lastcreature the acid fog cleared, and they came to theheavilyprotected approach to the command tower.Heavybolter emplacements tracked themas theywalkedby. Imperial signumcodesbroadcastby theirarmourwereall thatprotected themfromthemechanisms.Fragmentsof fleshhungfromeverysurface.Chitin cracked under their feet. In that space the tyranids had been so thoroughly obliterated it wasimpossibletosaywhatmannerofbeasttheremainshadcomefrom.Ahead lay the adamantium doors leading into the command deck. A large siege beast slumped deadagainsttheacidscarredmetal,itscraniumcoredoutbylascannonbeams.‘Formacordon.SergeantOrsini,getthatdooropen.’‘Yes,captain,’saidthesergeant.Hehurriedtothedoor,mag-lockedhisweapontohisthighandtookouthisauspex.Hehelditsheadtowardsthedoorcentre.‘Themachine-spiritsareincommunion,mylord.’Theshipshookviolentlyagain.TheSpaceMarinesstaggeredasitwaspushedoffcourse.‘Weshouldleavenow!’saidAchemen.‘Beingmysecondgivesyounorighttoquestionme,’saidErwin.‘Openthedoor!’Theauspexchimed.Giantpistonsinthewallshissedandthedoorsopenedfollowingtheircomplicatedsequence,each layerpeelingbackand revealinganother thatopenedatadifferentangle.The first slidsideways, theseconddiagonally, the thirdvertically.Before theyhadretractedfully theSpaceMarinesduckedthrough,readyforwhatevertheymightdiscover.Silence greeted them. Servitors worked mutely. Machines made their quiet noises. The oculus wasclosed.Theonlysignofbattlewasthedecktremblingtothefiringofguns.ErwinandAchemenadvancedaheadoftheirtroops.Orsiniorderedtherestoftheirpartytospreadout.‘Thereisnoonehere.Wehaveriskedourlivesforadecoy!’saidAchemenindisbelief.Hemarchedhiswaytotheenginariumstation.Themindlessservitorsignoredhim.‘Theirwarpengineisdamagedalongwiththemainmotivedrive.BrotherErwin,theyleftthisshipbehindonpurpose.’‘Ofcoursethereisnoonehere.Thisisanobviousdiversion.’TheAngelsExcelsisraisedtheirguns,trainingthemunerringlyonthesourceofthevoice.Awarrior in armour the colour of drying blood stepped out from among ranked cogitator banks.Hispower sword was inactive, but ready. With him were five heavily armed Chapter serfs, their facescoveredwithfullmaskhelmets,andaspindlynavigatoralmostas tallas theSpaceMarine.His limbsweresothinastrongdraughtwouldbreakthem.Thereinforcementbracesathisjointswereprobablytheonly things keeping him upright. His hands were overly large and the fingers webbed, his foreheadcoveredwithablackbandana.

‘Declareyourself!’saidErwin.‘SergeantHennan,oftheAngelsNuminous.’‘Whatareyoudoinghidinghere?’‘Waitingtodie,’saidthewarrior.‘Someonehadtooverseetheservitorssotheykeptupagoodrateoffire.Myplanwastosurprisetheenemywhentheyboarded.InsteadIhavesurprisedanimpetuousrescuerwhodoesnotknowhowtolistentoorders.’‘CaptainAsanteisnotmycommander,’saidErwin.‘Thenyoushouldhavepaidattentiontogoodsense,captain,’saidHennan.‘Respectshouldhavemadeyouhearken.Nowyouhaveputyourshipindangerwhenonlythisonewouldhavebeenlost.Ourmaindrivemalfunctioned,damaging thewarpengine in theprocess.Therewasnochoicebut toabandon it.Had the others delayed to shelter this ship, they would have been lost, as you will soon discover.Everyoneelseleft.Youaretoolate,CaptainErwin.’‘What about the serfs?’ saidErwin. ‘And him.’He pointed his gun at the navigator. ‘Why is he stillhere?’‘ThesemenwereofthesamemindasI,’saidtheAngelNuminous.‘Besttodieinhonourthanfleeinshame.Mynavigatorhere–’‘Imayspeakformyself,sergeant.’Themutanthadahigh,sexlessvoice.Therewasahintofpaintoit.Asapsychicbeing,suchclosecontactwiththehivemindwouldbecausinghimgreatdiscomfort.‘Iampledge-bondedtothisvessel.Icannotleave,bythelawsofmyhouse.’‘Thatisawaste,’saidAchemen.‘So is throwing away your ship and company attempting to rescue an obvious decoy vessel,’ saidHennan.‘Yourshiphasserveditspurpose.Comewithus,wecanatleastsaveyou.’‘Ivowedtoendmydayshere.Iwillnotbreakmyoath.’Erwinhadlittletosayinreply.Hewasshamedbyhisimpulsiveness.Therewasonlyonewayhecouldseetoregainhishonour.HeandHennanstaredateachother.‘Youneednotloseyourship,’hesaid.‘Asantedidnotseeitthatway,’saidHennan.‘Thesituationhaschanged.’‘Wecandietogether?’saidthesergeant.‘Wecanlivetogether,’saidErwin.‘Areyourothersystemsstilloperational?’‘Moreorless.’‘Thenwecanmakeabreakforthewarp,’saidErwin.‘Wecanopentheriftwithourengines,youcanfollowusin.Youhaveyournavigatorstill.Onceinsidetheimmaterium,youwillbeabletofollowusandre-emergewhenwedo.’‘Whathesaysispossible,thoughdifficult,sergeant,’saidthenavigator.‘Itisachance.Weshouldtakeit.’‘Iappreciate thatyouhaveanoverwhelmingdesire to live ifyoucan,NavigatorMeus,’saidHennan.‘ButwewillnevermakeittoasafedistancefromZozan.Wewillbeovertaken.’‘Whosaidanythingaboutasafedistance?’saidErwin.‘Wecantranslatehere.’‘Youareimpetuous,captain.Themassinterferenceofallthesetyranidswillripourshipstopieces.’‘Itmight.’‘Italmostcertainlywill.’‘Itisbetterthandying,’saidErwin.‘Soyouwouldtradethecertaintyofsavingoneshipforthepossibilityofsavingtwo.Considerthereis

alsothepossibilityofsavingnone.’‘Ifmyshiprunsnow,wewillprobablyloseitanyway,’saidErwin.‘Theprobabilityofyoursurvivalaloneishigherthanoursurvivaltogether,’saidHennan.‘Whereisyourfightingspirit,sergeant?’‘Undercontrol,’saidHennan.‘Areyou,captain?’Theshiplurchedagain.Themovementwasbigenoughtoregisteragainstthegrav-platingoftheship.‘Youarerunningoutoftime!’saidErwin.‘Decide.Icansaveyou.’Hennanstaredback,hishelmetmaskinghisexpression.‘Verywell.Weshalltry,and,whenwedie,weshallatleastdragmillionsofthesexenosspawnintothewarp.’‘Doyoustillhaveshuttlecraft?’‘Afew,’saidHennan.‘Thenifyourhangarsareclear,Irequestthatwemightborrowthem,andreturntoourvessel.’

FivemoreAngelsExcelsisfellontheirwaytotheStaffofLife’shangarbays,cutdownbygenestealersandother,worsethings.ButErwinwasconveyedtosafetyand,fortyminutesafterhedepartedtheStaff’sbridge,hestrodebackontothecommanddeckoftheSplendidPinion.Thevoidoutsidetheshipwascrowdedwithtyranidattackcraft,livinganddead.TheSplendidPinionwasfreeofassaultbeasts.ThesamecouldnotbesaidoftheStaffofLight.Ashelledbio-shiphadthefrontoftheshipfirmlyinitstentacles,andwasbitingattheprowshieldswithagiantbeak.Thesizeofthethingwasdifficulttocomprehend.Fewcreaturesgrewtosuchasizebyanynaturalprocess,orcouldwithstandtherigoursofthevoid.‘Sendadata-squirt toCaptainAsante,’saidErwin. ‘Informhimwehave theStaffofLightunder ourprotectionandwillattemptatandememergencytranslation.’‘Youareinsane,’saidAchemen.‘Onlythosewhoareinsanehavestrengthenoughtoprosper.’‘Onlythosewhoprospertrulyjudgewhatissane,’respondedAchemon.‘ThenyouknowthePresticanthinkers.’‘Inever said that I agreewith them,’ saidAchemen. ‘If thisworks, captain, I swear I shallpaygreatattentiontoyoureveryword.Ifitfails,IwouldliketosayinadvanceItoldyouso.’Erwinlookedathissecondincommand.‘Soyoudoknowhowtojest.’Achemenremovedhishelmet,revealingafacesheenedwithcombatsweat.Hisexpressionwasentirelyhumourless.‘Idonotjest.’Erwin shrugged. ‘Allpower to themaindrive,’heordered. ‘Prepare immaterialdrive for emergencytranslation.Intensifyforwardfire.ServileBelligerent,removethatcreaturefromtheprowoftheStaffofLife.’‘Yes,my lord!Gunnerystations,prepare fusionbeamersandplasmacasters formaximumdischarge,’orderedtheServileBelligerent.Erwin’scommandssenthishumancrewintoaction.Theyweretense,butworkedefficiently,theirfearatimminentdeathkeptincheckbytheirtraining.‘ServileoftheHelm,takeusforward.’‘Course,mylord?’Erwingrinnedinsidehishelmet.‘Intotheheartoftheswarm.’TheSplendidPinion’s engines burst into life, their backwash incinerating a score of tyranid vesselsattempting a stern approach. Erwin’s vessel slid forward smoothly relative to the Staff of Life. The

creaturewrappedaroundtheprowspewedstreamsofgasfromventsalongthecurveofitsshell,shovingtheStaffofLifesideways.Thestressofthismovementcouldsnapashipintwo,andthevesselhadlittlechoicebuttorollwiththebeastwhileattemptingtomoveforward.‘Spinalgunnerystations,standby!’shoutedtheServileBelligerent.Thetyranidbeastwashugeintheoculus,movingoutofviewastheSplendidPinionpasseditby.Erwinwatcheditsgrainyimagecapturedonthehololithandtacticaria.‘Fire!Fullstrike!’saidtheServileBelligerent.Theshellsandvoid-pockedfleshof tyranidsallaroundtheSplendidPinion litupharshlyasadozenenergy cannons let fire. Beams of plasma slammed into the shell of the grappling kraken, charring itthrough to thecore.Fusionbeams flashcooked thesoft tissuewithin, then rendered it intoash,but thecreaturedidnotdie.Itconvulsed,grippingtheshipharderthanever,beforeasecondvolleyhollowedoutthe shell. It floated away, keratinous armour smouldering, detached tentacles drifting off, given brieffreedombeforetheytooexpired.TheStaffofLifelumberedaround,correctingitscourseandfollowingtheSplendidPinion.‘MatchspeedtotheStaffofLight,’saidErwin.‘Donotoutpaceit.’Guns flaredalong the flanksof the twoships.Thevoid shieldsof theSplendidPinionsparkled as itabsorbedthousandsofsmallimpacts.Thestrikecruiserswerealone,therestofthefleethavingoutpacedthepursuing tyranids.TheStaffofLife couldonly limpalong.Bio-shipsswarmed the twovessels.Bydintofsheerfirepower, theykept theirsideapproachesclearofaliens,but therealperilcameat themfromthefront,wherethetwosquadronssentouttointercepttheImperialfleethadreversedcourseandwerenowbearingdowndirectlyonthestrikecruisers.‘Mylord?’askedtheServileof theHelm.Helookedupfromhisstationandthechoirofservitorshedirected.‘Straightatthem!Prepareforwarptranslationonmymark.ActivateGellerfields.’‘Weshallhavetodropthevoidshields,’warnedtheServileScutus.‘Doit!’commandedErwin.Thetyranidsdrewcloser.Thevoidshieldsdropped,exposingtheshiptotheimpactoflivingtorpedoesandballsofbioplasma.Theanti-munitionscannonsofthevesselworkedceaselessly.Thepointdefenceturrets and interception galleries reeked of overheated machinery, and were ankle deep in hot shellcasings.‘Wearenotgoingtomakeit,’saidAchemen.Hepointedahead.Ashoalofmany-armedassaultbeastswasspeedingatthevessel.‘Standfirm!’orderedErwin.‘Launchtorpedoes.Fullspreads.Reload,fireagain.Donotstop.’Momentslater,theprowejectedsixheavytorpedoesatthecreatures.Thetimbreoftheship’svoicechanged.Complexharmonicsoverlaidtherumbleoftheengines.‘Translationinfiftyseconds,’intonedadullmachinevoice.ThesoapysheenofaGellerfieldappearedaroundthevessel.TherewasnocommunicationbetweentheAngelsExcelsis and theAngelsNuminous ships, but theStaff ofLight’s actionsmatched that of theirwould-be rescuer, and their ownwarp protection popped into being amoment later, flexing the voidaroundit.‘Translationinthirtyseconds.’‘Wewillbe tornapartbygraviticshear,’ saidAchemen. ‘Iadviseyou tochangecourse,captain,andmakespeedforadifferenttranslationpoint.’‘Thechancesofsurvivalareonlymoderatelybetter,’saidErwin.‘Thecertaintyofdeathtothexenosisonlyincreasedbyourdeparturefromtheirmidst.Makeforthecentreoftheinterceptionshoal!’

‘Translationintwentyseconds.’Thousandsofspores,seeds,podsandlivingmunitionspepperedtheoculus,mouthssuckingandscrapingatthearmourglassastheyslidoff.Thefirstroundoftorpedoesmettheirtarget,blastingapartakrakenship.Thesecondvolleyarrivedmorequickly,thedistancebetweentheclosingsplintersquadronandtheescaping cruisers now considerably shortened, but these detonated prematurely, their drives fouled bysuicidalcreaturesandtheirservitorbrainsdeceivedbyfalseinformationprojectedbylivingchaff.‘Wearenotgoingtomakeit.Damnit,Erwin,youhavekilledusall.’Achemenplacedhishelmetbackonandloosenedhisweapons.‘Allsquads,prepareforboardingparties.’Erwin ignoredhim.He leanedon thedais rail,handsgripping it sohard themetalbent.Therewasachance.Wheretherewaslife,therewasalwaysachance.The chance was rapidly diminishing. Already grasping tentacles were unfurling, diamond-tippedappendagesflexed,theteethontheirsuckerstwitching,readytosnaretheirprey.‘Translationintenseconds,’saidthevoice.‘Thatisit.Theyhaveus,’saidAchemen.Butasthefirsttentaclebrushedtheship,itrecoiled.Thekrakenslowedandbrokeformationclumsily,turning away from the vessel. One sailed dangerously close to the command tower, a vast,moist eyepeeredhungrilyintotheship,andthenitwasgone.‘Apparentlynot,’saidErwin.‘Translationready,’saidthevoice.‘Closetheshutters!’bellowedErwin.‘Bracefortranslation!Engagewarpengines!’The shutters of the oculus descended, smearing the remains of dead tyranid void organisms acrossarmourglass.Commanddecklumensdippedandturnedred.‘Brace.Brace.Brace,’sangaskull-facedservitorwithabeautifulvoice.Theship’s immaterialdrivehowledatbeingactivated inproximity tosomuchmass.Realitywarpingbentperceptionsoutof true, stretching space-time like spun sugar.The sickening threatofGeller fieldfailure teetered on the cusp of realisation. The crews of both craft experienced a moment ofdisassociation,afeelingofbeingadriftinaseaofmonstersfarworsethanthetyranids.Outside,theblackclothofspaceballedinonitself.Inplaceofthenormallysmoothcreationofawarprift,thevoidrumpledintoaclusterofholes,andtheveilofrealityopenedlikemeltingplasteksheeting.Multiplesmallerriftssaggedopen,interspersedbyhardknotsofcompressedreality.Theshipssailedondirectlytowardsthecentraltearofthiscancerousfissure.Theyshudderedasgravitywavesruckedupthevoid. A hard particle sleet of neutrons and gamma bursts slew servitors and burned out electronicsystems,butstilltheyplungedontowardstheblazingunlightbeyondtheunevenrift.The effect on the tyranids was catastrophic. Their ships were scattered like playthings flicked off ablanket.Those closest to the opening tear implodedmessily on themselves, compressed into neutronicdiamond,orweresmearedbloodilyacrossspace.With a finalwrenching noise that echoed in the souls of all living things present, the empyreanwasrevealed.Theshipspassedoutofrealitywithaviolentflare,leavingtheinterceptionshoalinshreds.Forthousandsofmilesaroundtheirtranslationpointthetyranidfleetwasdecimated.OnboardthecommanddeckoftheSplendidPinionErwinreleasedthedaisrail.‘Welldone,myservants,’hesaid.Sparksraineddownfromonhigh.Thesmellofcookedhumanfleshrosefromwreckedservitors.Firesburneduncheckedonthreegalleriesattheback.Buttheyhadsurvived.‘Captain,’saidtheServileofResponse.‘IhavevoxcontactfromtheStaffofLight.Theyarefirmlyinourwarpenvelopeandfollowing.’

ErwinlookedovertoAchemen.‘Firstsergeant,youspoketoohastily.’‘Ididnot,’saidAchemen,staringahead.‘Theenterprisewasreckless.’‘Yetyouadmitwearealive,andwehavesavedavaluablevesselintheprocess.’‘Luck,’saidAchemen.‘Maybe.’Erwin stood taller.His pauldrons shiftedback. ‘Youwill report tome later for punishmentduty.’Heswepthisgazeoverhiscommanddeck.‘Nevergainsaymelikethatagain.’

CHAPTERSIXTHEARCHANGELIAN

Whilethemustergathered,CommanderDantespentmuchofhiswakinghoursinthethroneroomatthepinnacleoftheArchangelian,asoaring,needle-thintowerupontheArxMurus.Aprocessionalstaircaseguarded by statueswound itsway up the tower’s hollow centre, decoratedwith a continuousmural athousandyardsinlengthpaintedonlyinshadesofred,blackandbone.Arichrunner,handknottedbytheBloodAngels themselves,carpeted thestair inasingle,unbroken length.Therods thatheld it inplacewere of pink Baalite granite, the stops of platinum. A hundred thousand bloodstones glinted in thebalustradeofthestair.Organmusicblastedfromthedepthswithsuchforceitcreatedaswirlingdraughtin the shaft of the stairwell, buffeting the angelic cyber-constructs and the servo-skulls of loyal bloodthrallscenturiesdeadthatthrongedit.HundredsofSpaceMarinesascended thestair inslowunison, theirsteps timedwithritualprecision.Dozens ofChapter heraldrieswere evident.Most of the supplicantswereChapter lords and captains,Chaplains,forgemasters,Sanguinarypriestsandsimilarlyhighranks.Thoughmembersofbrotherhoodsother than theBloodAngels, theyweremovedby thebeautiful singingof theblood thrallsasmuchastheirhostswere,andhearkened to the teachingsof theBloodAngelsChaplainsstationedon thestair’swidelandingswithasmuchrespect.Mephistonbypassedtherituallineinanunseemlyhurry.Rhacelusfollowed.TheappearanceoftheLordofDeathwasgreetedwithamixtureofemotionby thegatheredscionsofSanguinius.ManyLibrariansacknowledgedhim.Thereactionoftheirbrotherswaslessfavourable.Mephiston’suncannypresenceprovokedfear inallmen,evenin thehardenedheartsandmindsof theAdeptusAstartes,andthoughitwasbutashiftinguneasetheSpaceMarinesfelt,itwasstillfear.Ofallthe sons of Sanguinius, onlyHighChaplainAstorath theGrim, Redeemer of the Lost, provokedmoreloathing.Rhacelusfeltthewashofemotionashismastersurelymust.Mephistonshowednotasignofcaring.Hiswill was hard as millennial ice, black as night and strong as iron. Opprobrium or approbation wereequallyunimportanttohim.Droningchantsprovidedasimplebaseline to thecomplexitiesofsoaringplainsong.Proclamationsof

Sanguinius’ purity and responses of loyalty from the Space Marine lords added a rhythm. All wereentwinedwiththerumblingorganmusic.Unityofpurposeandofbloodboundmusicandmentogether.If thiswereonly a commonhappening, thoughtRhacelus, then noughtwould stand against us. Thegalaxywouldknowpeaceagain.Rhaceluswasold,andhehadseenmanygatheringsoftheBlood,buthewashumbledbythisunprecedenteddisplayofpowerandpietycoilingitswayaroundtheArchangelian.MephistoncaughtRhacelus’thoughts.‘Itisimpressive,’hesaidaloud.‘TheBloodisstrongwithus,’saidRhacelus.‘Youhavespent too long these lastweekscloistered in theDiurnalVaults,Rhacelus.Ventureonto theArxMurusandyouwillseethemajestyoftheforceDantehassummoned.’Theyarrivedatthetopofthestair.BloodAngelsinthegoldenplateoftheSanguinaryGuardbarredagiantsetofcarvedstonedoorsleadingintothethronehall.Twoskull-headedangelsweredepictedinthestoneeithersideofagiant‘IX’pickedoutingold,theirskeletalhandshelduptoframethenumeral.AttheheadofthelinewaitedCastellanZargo,theChapterMasteroftheAngelsEncarmine,flankedbyhishonourguard.Mephistonignoredhim.‘Letuspass,’saidMephistontotheSanguinaryGuard.Theguardianangel’svoxemitterrenderedhisvoiceemotionless,atoddswiththehowlingmouthofhisdeathmask.‘LordCommanderDanteforbidsentrywhileheisreceivingourallies.’‘Hemustseeusimmediately,’saidRhacelus.‘WehavenewsregardingtheDiamortaskforce.’‘IshallcontacthimwhenheisdonewiththelordsoftheAngelsPenitent.’‘Damnprotocol,’saidRhacelus.‘Thiscannotwait.’TheLordofDeathstaredintotheeye-lensesofthesentry.PowerhaloedtheLordofDeath’sface,thebluewychlightbringingcoldaccentstothewarmgoldoftheguard’sarmour.‘Youwillspeakwithhimnow.’‘Verywell.’TheSanguinaryGuardfellsilentamomentashecommunicatedonaprivatechannel.‘Youmayenter,ohLordofDeath,’hesaid.TheSanguinaryGuardpartedtheirspears.Mephistongazedatthemwithundisguisedannoyanceastheyswungopenthesoundlessdoors.Thethronehalloccupiedthewholeofthetower’spinnacle.Decoratedbuttressesleanedinfromheavilycarvedwallssupportingthedomeofstainedglass.Floortoceilingwindows,sixtyfeethigh,gaveviewsout over the fortress monastery and the host barracked in the desert. Cowled blood thralls stoodmotionless in recesses between the windows holding bronze effigies of artists’ tools and smallrepresentationsoftheirmasters’weapons.Thestonefloorwasblackasthevoid,itssurfaceflawlessandpolishedtosoreflectiveashineitwasasifasecond,inverteddomelurkedjustbeneathitssurface.TenstylisedstatuesofSpaceMarinesmadeaninnercirclewithintheroom,fivetorepresenttheAngelicGracesofhonour,humility,mercy,restraintandforgiveness.SetinoppositionweretheWarrior’sVirtuesofstrength,savagery,abandon,rageanddetachment.Whereaneleventhstatuemighthavestoodwasthecommander’sthrone.Ninestepsofblood-redporphyryleduptoaseatfartoolargeforahumanbeing,evenaSpaceMarine,shelteredunderagiantbronzeciborium.Sanguiniusspreadgoldenwingsandarmsbehindthethroneinaneffigysolifelikehelookedasifhemighttakeflight.AnotherimageofSanguiniussatonthethrone,andthisonedidlive.CommanderDanteworethedeathmaskofSanguiniusand,indoingso,becameanechoofhim.Commander Dante should have looked small and unimportant in a seat sized for a primarch, butsomehowthemaskmagnifiedhispresence,makingagiantofhisgoldenarmouredform.Hewasavessel

forSanguinius’grace,andthelightoftheEmperor’snoblestsonshoneoutofhim.On Dante’s left stood Corbulo, the Sanguinary high priest. On his right was the Paternis SanguisOrdamael, deputising for the ever-absent High Chaplain Astorath. Either side of them were crescentformationsoftheChapter’shighestofficials,likeblood-redwings.AllwerebareheadedbutOrdamael,whosechaplaincyvowsforbadehimfromremovinghishelmetincompany,andDante,whohabituallyhidhisfacebehindthatofSanguinius.FourteenSpaceMarineskneltat thefootof thestairs.EightwereChaplains, theirhumanityhiddenbycastskullsandsymbolsofdeath.TherestworearmourthatboretooclosearesemblancetothatoftheDeathCompanyforRhacelus’liking.Darkredthornssnakedovertheblackoftheirplate.Rhacelusfeltadeepself-loathingradiatingfromthemand,byextension,for therestof theirgeneline.Still,theyhadcometodefendBaal.‘Rise,’ commanded Dante. To the purr of armour and the dull noises of metal on stone, the SpaceMarines stood. ‘I accept the fealtyof theLordsof theThorns,’ saidDante. ‘In thenameofour sharedblood,andtheGreatAngel,whoisfathertousall,IwelcomeyoutoBaal.Ithankyouforyourpresence.AsheadoftheRedCouncil,andofthisChapter,Igreetyouasbrothers.’Corbuloaddedhiswords.‘OnbehalfoftheCouncilofBoneandBlood,Ialsothankandwelcomeyou.’TheAngelsPenitentreclusiarch,ratherthananyofthecaptains,responded.‘Thisisthehomeofourfather,whomadeus,andinwhoseeyesweareallfoundwantingforourlackofperfection,’hesaid.‘Inthisplaceweshallstandbesideyou,LordDante,andseekforgivenessforourshortcomings.MaytheeyesofSanguiniusbeonusall,andmayhejudgeusfairlyforourfaults.’Dantenoddedalittle,neitheragreeingwiththesentimentnordenouncingit.‘Gonow,ReclusiarchRelian,andprepareforwar.‘TheSpaceMarinesgavethanksandturnedfromDantewiththeirheadsbowed.TheirreclusiarchpausedastheypassedtheLibrarians,andhelookedupandlevelledanaccusingfingeratMephiston.‘TheEmperorcondemns,’hesaid.‘Youshouldnotbe.’‘AndyetIam,’saidMephistoncalmly.Relian’s disgust at Mephiston soured the air. There was a split second where fate held its breath.RhacelusfeltReliancomeclosetoattackingtheLordofDeath.Heclenchedhisfist.‘MayyoufindtheGreatAngel’smercythroughanhonourabledeath,’hesaid,andhewalkedaway.Thedoorsopened,andtheSpaceMarinesleft.‘Theircreedisperverse,’saidOrdamael,whenthedoorsweresafelyshut.Dantesighedandtappedhisfistlightlyupontheplainstoneofhisthrone.Helookedathishandashemovedit.Theblank-eyedstareofSanguiniusregardedthelimbasifitwereathingalientohim.‘Theyarewelcome,nonetheless.’The commander summoned his armoury thralls and ordered them to remove the golden mask ofSanguinius.Hisservantswrappedthehelmetinredsilkandtookitawaybehindthethrone.TheofficersoftheChapterwaitedinsilence.ManywatchedMephistonclosely.Notallofthemdidsowithfriendlyeyes.Dante’slinedfacetooktheplaceofSanguinius’perfectfeatures.Danteoftensaidtothoseclosesttohimthat inwearingSanguinius’deathmaskhebecame theprimarch, inas farashewasperceivedby thoseoutside the Chapter. When he wore the armour common humanity and Adeptus Astartes alike sawSanguinius,notDante.MaybetherewasadeepertruththerethanevenDanterealised.Withoutthemaskheappearedtoosmallforthethrone.Theradiancethatshonefromhimdimmed.‘Now,myLordofDeath,whatbringsyoufromthelibrariusintothemidstofourdiplomacy?’ThoughDantewaslesswearythanhehadbeenduringtheCryptuscampaignhestillrarelyshowedhisface,with

good reason.His aged appearancewas shocking to those unaccustomed to it.His skinwas losing theleatheriness that ancient SpaceMarines developed, and becoming thin. His cheekswere loose on hisskull.Wattleshungbeneathhischinandhisgoldenhairhadbecomefineandwhite.‘WehavemadecontactwiththeDiamorfleet,mylord,’saidRhacelus.Heunclippedascrollcasefromthebeltofhisbluearmourandwalkedupthefirstofthedaissteps.HeofferedthescrolltotheChapterMasterwithashortbow.‘MasterLeeter’smessage.’‘Itakeitfromthedirelooksonyourfacesthatthenewsyouhaveisbad,’saidDante.Hereachedforthescroll.MephistongrippedRhacelus’wristandmovedhishandaway.‘Wait,’ said Mephiston. ‘You must know, the circumstances whereby this message came to us areunusual.’‘Howso?’askedDante.Hewithdrewhishand.‘Wewereopposedbysomeforce,mylord,’saidRhacelus.‘EventsgathertoaheadaroundtheCadianGate.’‘Rhacelus,letmetellthisstoryfromthebeginning,’saidMephiston.‘Thereissomethingofgreatimportatplay.’‘Dosoquickly,’saidDante.‘Manywarriorswaittomeetwithme,andmoreareontheirway.Timeisshort,butIwillhonourtheminthecorrectway.Theydeservecourtesyatleastinreturnfortheirlives.’Mephistonnarrowedhiseyes.‘ThenIwillbebrief.Iwasstruckbyavision.ItcametomewhileIsleptinmysanctum.Thisisunheardof.’DantelookedintentlyathisChiefLibrarian.Corbulobecameattentive.‘Thevisionwassenttomebyamemberoftheaeldarirace,’continuedMephiston.‘Iwasafflictedbyforeboding,attached,Iwassure,toDiamor,butwhenIattemptedtoscrythatsysteminmydreamIwasinsteadshownCadiaattackedbyaBlackCrusadeofunsurpassedsize.Billionsof foesbothdaemonicandmortalissuedforthfromtheEye.’‘AsAstorath’smessage informedus,’saidBrother Incarael, theMasterof theBlade.HisarmourwasmassivelyenlargedbyaTechmarine’sequipment.‘Theseareknownfactors.’‘There was more to this than Astorath conveyed,’ said Mephiston. ‘I saw Cadia fall, and while Iwatchedasenseofatragedyunfoldingnowtouchedmysoul.WhenIawoke,EpistolaryRhacelusandIattemptedtofindourDiamortaskforceonceagain,foritwasfromtherethatmyfirstsenseofforebodingcame.Wesawourbrothersarrive.TheFirst,SecondandelementsoftheSeventhyousentfromCryptus,my lord, brokewarp shortly afterAstorath and the Fifth Company. It is good that they did not arrivesimultaneously.’Mephistonspokethenextwordsveryclearly,sothatnonemightmistakethem.‘TheFifthCompanywaspsychicallyattacked,andhasfallentotheBlackRage.’ShockedsilencegreetedMephiston’snews.Dante’sheaddroppeda fractionofan inch,nomore thanthat,butMephistonsaw.‘Howmanyarelosttotherage?’hesaidquietly.‘Afterourvision,’ saidRhacelus, ‘wewent toBaalSecundus’ relay,andfocusedall theeffortofourastropathicumuponDiamor.Shortlyafter,MasterLeetermadecontactwithCodicierAsasmael.’‘Asasmael lives?’ said Brother Adanicio, Warden of the Gates. He was head of the logisticiam,responsible foreverydetailof theChapter’s logistics.Hemadeanoteupon thedata-slateattachedbycordstohisornatearmour.‘Whatofourastropaths?’‘Theastropathsaredeadordrivenmadbypassagethroughthewarp.TheempyreanisinuproararoundtheEyeofTerror,’explainedRhacelus.‘Thesituationisfarworsethanwefeared.’‘Howmanyhavefallentotherage?’demandedDante.‘Asasmaelreportsnearlyall.TheLibrarians,Astorath,CaptainSendiniandotherswitheitherprotection

or great will have survived…’Rhacelus’ wrist was released byMephiston. He offered up the scrollagain.‘HowmanywerethereontheAngelicBladeandtheFlameofBaal?’saidDanteagain.‘Mylord,’saidBrotherBellerophon,KeeperoftheHeavengate,lordcommanderoftheBloodAngel’sfleet.‘ItwastheentireFifthCompany.I…’‘Giveme numbers!’ shoutedDantewith sudden fury. TheArchangelian fell silent.Half-human thingsroosting in the buttressing beneath the dome took flight with a clatter of metal wings and squawkedprayers. Dante rarely expressed himself so forcefully. Mephiston sensed the rising of the thirst. Itsperniciouspsychic influence sparkedsympathetic reactionsofangerandhunger inall thosearound thecommander.‘Therewereninety-fourofthem,mylord,’saidAdaniciohesitantly.‘TheDaemonbaneswereouronlybattlecompanyapproachingfullstrength.’Dante’sgauntletclenched,raspingonthestoneofhisthrone.‘Ninety-four,’saidDante.‘Notallarelosttotherage,mylord,’saidRhacelus.‘Nearlyall,’saidDante.Themechanismsofhisarmourwhinedashepulledhimselfupinhisseat.‘ThisChapterdwindles,BrotherAdanicio.Whatareournumbersofbattle-readybrothers?’Adanicioclearedhisthroatandbroughtuphisever-presentarcheo-ledgertofullluminescence.‘InthewakeoftheCryptuscampaign,andnowthisnews,mybestcalculationisthattherearesixhundredandforty-seven battle-brothers at full readiness for war. Including our Sanguinary priests, the librarius,Chaplaincy,DreadnoughtAncients,forgeTechmarinesandneophytes,thereareeighthundredandthirty-sevenintotalremaining.FromwhichtotaltwohundredandninemembersoftheFirst,Second,FifthandSeventhareatDiamor.’‘LessthanfiftypercentofourChapterremainsheretofacetheGreatDevourer,’saidDante.‘Wecallout foraid tootherswhilewesendourwarriorselsewhere.’Hebecamepensive.Rhacelushadneverseenhimquestionhisownjudgementpubliclylikethis,andhefeltdoubtemanatingfromthecommander.‘Howmanyotherworldswillfallsothatourshasachanceofsurviving?’Nooneansweredthequestion.‘Wellthen,tellme,willCadiafall?’askedDante.‘Idonotknow,mylord,’saidMephiston.‘Theissuingofthegreathordehasyettooccur.Icannottrustthesevisions.Wherethefutureisconcerned,itishardtoseethetruth.Onemightseeafuturethatwillnotcome to pass, and of late there have beendeliberate attempts to cloud our foresight. Such visions aredeceptiveunderthebestofcircumstances.Theinvolvementofthealienwitchmakesmedoubtthemallthemore.Itcouldbeaployonthepartofourenemiestoweakenourresolve.’Corbulosteppedforward.Thoughnotruepsyker,anelementofSanguinius’foresighttouchedhimtoo,andhisnightswereplaguedwithdarkdreams.‘Theskyshallfall,andavoiceinmalicecallout“Doom!Doom!Doom!”.’‘YouquotefromtheScrollsofSanguinius,’saidDante.CorbulolookedatMephistonandDantewithhauntedeyes.‘Ido.ButIhaveseenit.Ihavebeenseeingitforyears.Ihaveheardthevoice,issuingfromthesky.’‘It ispossible thatmelancholy rather than second sight is the causeofyour foreboding,’ saidBrotherBellerophon.‘IamaSanguinarypriest,Bellerophon.Iknowthedifference.Ilonghopedthatthevisionsthatdevilmeweretheproductofimbalanceinmyhumours–aresult,perhaps,ofminormalfunctioninthehormonalsystemsofmyangel’sgifts.ButIamnottroubledinthisway.Ihavetestedmyselfextensively.Mysight

comesfromourlord,theGreatAngel.Isharehiscurse.’‘You are not alone, Corbulo. I have had the same vision,’ said Dante quietly. ‘Before we receivedAstorath’smessageatDiamor.Thevoice,proclaimingdoom.’‘Thentheprobabilityincreasesthattheseeventswillcometopass,’saidMephistonsimply.‘Iftheydo,’saidRhacelus,‘thereisworsetocome.’‘Howso?’saidDante.‘Idonotknow,’saidMephiston.‘Theskyfell.TheEyeofTerrorswelledhugely.’‘AbaddonintendstoflyforTerra,afterallthistime,’saidBellerophon.‘Ifearitismorethanthat,’saidMephiston.‘ThisistheGreatEnemy’sboldestgambitintenmillennia.Theyareplanningsomethingmore terrible thananattackon the throneworld.Something todowith theEye.’‘Butwhat?’saidOrdamael.Mephistonshookhishead.‘Iknownot.’‘Wellthen!’saidIncaraeldismissively.Hisservoarmstwitched.‘I regret to say that there is more,’ saidMephiston, directing a cold look at the forgemaster. ‘Muchmore.’‘Thenspeak!’saidAdanicio.‘ThelastisforDante’searsalone.’‘Ifthereisafurtherfactorofrisk,alltheChapterlordsshouldbeinformed,’saidAdanicio.‘LettheLordofDeathkeephissilence,Adanicio,’saidDante.‘Attendmelater,Mephiston.Iwilljudgewhoshouldknowwhat,ifitcanwait.’‘Itcan,mylord,’saidMephiston.‘Iwishtoseekconfirmationfirst.’‘Verywell.Inthemeantime,givemeMasterLeeter’smessage,Rhacelus.’Mephiston’s equerryheldout themessage tube. ‘It is a simplemessage.After hedeliveredhis blacktidings,AsasmaelspokeofincreasinganomalouspsychicactivityattheAdeptusMechanicusexcavationsiteonAmethal.Inthewakeofthetaskforce’slosses,herequestsreinforcements.’Rhacelusofferedupthetubeagain,butDantehelduphishand.‘Tellthemtherearenoreinforcements.Wecannotspareanotherwarrior.’‘Yes,mylord,’saidRhacelus,withdrawingthetube.Dantelookedaroundathiswarriors,meetingtheeyesofthemall.‘NoneofyouaretospeakofthiswithanyoftheotherChaptersherepresent.DoImakemyselfclear?’Thewarriorsaffirmedthathedid.‘Iftheyrevealvisionsoftheirown,donotmentionyours.Weneedeverywarriorwehavetodefendourhomesystem.’‘Mylord,’saidCaptainZedrenaeloftheEighth.‘IfCadiafalls…’helettheimplicationhangintheair.‘IwillnotabandonBaal,’saidDante.‘IfBaalfalls,thewholeofthenorthernUltimaSegmentumwillbeopentopredationfromHiveFleetLeviathan.IfthenewsofCadia’sperilbecomeswidespread,halfourbrotherswillwishtoleave,seeingdefenceoftheImperiumastheirprimeconcern.Halfwillwishtostaybecause,likeI,theyfearwhatwillhappentothegalacticnortheastshouldLeviathanbreakthroughourstand.Wecannotfightbothwarsandwin.Wemaylosebothifwesplitourforces.’‘Ifyoucouldcommandthemtostay,itwouldbeeasier.’‘Thatcannotbe,BrotherBellerophon,’saidDantefirmly.‘Ihavenoauthorityoverthemotherthanthatgrantedbytheirownconsent,andthatisbynomeansyetassured.Authoritymustbewon.’Dante’sancientsnow-whitebrowcreasedfurtherinthought.Whenhespokeagain,itwaswithgreatercertainty.‘Wehaveachancetodestroyoneofthegreatevilsofthisage,hereuponBaal.Shouldwedepartfromthiscourse,

shouldhalfourbrotherChaptersdepartandhalfstay,wewillgainnothing,andloseeverything.Thatismyjudgement,asSanguiniusismyfather.BytheBlood,Iwillseemyordersobeyed.Anywhorevealthisinformationtoourbrotherswillfacemyjudgement.’‘Yes,mylord,’saidtheSpaceMarines.‘Now,myLibrarians,goaboutyourduties.Mephiston,cometomebeforethewarcounciltomorrowanddeliverwhatevertaleyoumust,’saidDantegrimly.‘ThelordsoftheAngelsEncarminehavebeenpatient.TheirhomagetoourChaptermustnolongerbedelayed.’ThedoorsswungopenatDante’scommand,floodingtheroomwithsong.Thewordsspokeoftriumphnonepresentthoughtwouldcome.Dantecrookedhishand,andCastellanZargooftheAngelsEncarmineentered.

CHAPTERSEVENTHEGATHERINGHOST

After a short fivedays in the empyrean, theSplendidPinion and theStaff ofLife re-emerged into thematerial realm, breaking warp at the Baal Mandeville. Balor, Baal’s sun, was a medium red star, acommonenoughtypeonthefringesoftheRedScar.FromBaaltheScarwasacrimsonbandthatstretchedfromonesideofthestellarhorizontotheother, itsstarssmoulderingliketheeyesofwolvesinadarkforest.At full speed theSplendidPinion could havemadeBaal in amatter of half a day, but as a courtesyErwinhadhisshipmatchspeedwiththeStaffofLife.Bothshipshadtakendamageintheirviolentescapefrom Zozan, and the Staff of Life’s unstable drive system was coming close to failure. A loan oftransmechanicsfromErwin’svesselstabilisedmatters.Astherepairswereundertaken,periodicalarmssignalledthearrivalofothervesselsoftheBloodtranslatingintoBaal.TheSplendidPinion’sdetectionmatricespronouncedthenamesandclassesoffriendlyvesselsitidentifiedinthesystem,anditdidnotstop.Therewere identbeacons ringingout fromsuccessorChaptersErwinhadneverheardof.By thetimetheStaffofLifewasreadytomoveatagreaterspeedagain,theysailedacrowdedvoid.Upon entering the inner systemand contacting theArxAngelicum’s orbital control centre, a harassedsoundingservileorderedtheSplendidPinionandtheStaffofLifeintocloseconvoywithadozenotherships.Thevesselsweregivenanapproachcorridorandplacedinsinglelinewithbarelytwentymilesbetweeneach.SoitwasthattheSplendidPinion’sviewofBaalwasobscuredbytheengineflareoftheshipaheadofthem.WhenthetugofBaal’sgravitybegantoworkupontheships,theconvoybrokeapartandmadefortheirseparateanchorages,allowingErwin,Achemenandtheirbrothersassembleduponthecommanddecktoseethetripleworldsahead.‘Baal,’saidAchemenreverently,‘thehomeofSanguinius.’Erwinandhisfirstsergeantstoodwiththeirfacesbathedinthereflectedlightofthesun.Baal’smoonsweresobigtheybarelywarrantedthename.BaalPrimuswaspalerthanitssister,mottledwithmountainrangesandsmudgedwith theflatcoloursofdustseas.Across thepregnantswellof itsequatorwereaseries of massive black scars. Four that must have been a hundredmiles across each dominated thisgroupingofplanetarywounds,whichtogethernumberedhundreds,oddmountainspimplingtheircentres.

BaalSecundus,slightlysmaller,slightlyredder,wasinrespectssimilartoBaalPrimus,thoughithadtheaddedgreenandyellowofsmall, toxicseas,and thedazzlingshineofsalt flats thatcommemorated itsvanishedoceans.Websofdeadriversstarkastheveinsofanoldmancriss-crosseditssurface.Therewerenoorbitalsaround the threeworlds.Ablessingunder thecurrentcircumstances,aseveryanchoragewascrowdedwithships.ThespacearoundBaalplayedhosttoflotillasfromoverascoreofChapters.Theywerestrictlyordered,movingincontra-rotatingbandssothatthethreeworldsappearedwrappedinwire.Someofthespace-faringbrotherhoodshadmagnificentfleets,withdozensofvessels,anditwasclearthatseveralChapterswerethereatfullstrength.SomanyscionsofSanguiniushadansweredthecallthatgoodanchorageswerecontested,andtheshipsjockeyedforspacewithbarelycontainedirritation.TheorbitsaroundBaalSecundusespeciallywerefull.ChaptersoftheBloodviedtobeclosesttotheplacewherethefoundlingSanguiniushadfirstspreadhiswings.Itwasuponthesecondmoonthat, tenthousandyearsago,Sanguiniushadinheritedaruinedworldandsavedthebenightedpopulace.OverBaaland Baal Primus there was scarcely more space. Databursts from a dozen nearby ships flooded theSplendidPinion’scogitators,warningthemoffcollisioncourse.‘IhaveneverseensomanySpaceMarineattackcraft,’saidAchemen.‘NorhaveI,thoughIdonotliketoadmitmyignoranceofsuchspectacle!’saidErwin.‘TheremustbethousandsofSpaceMarineshere,’saidAchemen.‘Tensofthousands,’saidErwin.Forthemboth,thethoughtofbeingnearsomanyotherslikethemselveswasstrange,andnotaltogetherpleasant.Then there was Baal itself: huge, red, brooding. Deserts blanketed it from pole to pole, where tinyicecaps sat in deference to its modesty. They could serve no other purpose but to spare Baal’sembarrassmentatitslackofwater.Theyweretoosmalltospawnglaciers,toocoldtobirthrivers,tooisolatedtobeutilisedeasilybymen.LegendsaidthatBaalwasneverfullypopulated,foritsmoonshadbeenparadises,andithadalwaysbeenadesert.Unlikethescarredbeautyofitssatellites,Baal’snaturalsplendourwasmostlyuntouched,saveforhereandthereintheredsands,wheretheskeletalremainsoflostcolonycitiesshowedlikelace.One place upon Baal exhibited signs of life, and though small from orbit it stood out in the sterileexpanseofdesert.Surroundedby lights,heraldedbybroadcastsonall frequenciesof thespectrum, theblack,spreadingmountainthathousedtheArxAngelicumwaslargeineverySpaceMarine’sperception.FromorbittheArxAngelicumwasthemerestblemishontheequator,butmagnifiedpictviewsrevealedsomethingofitssplendour.Blackrockhadbeencarvedintoimposingart.NoneoftheArxAngelicum’simpressiveverticalitycouldbeappreciated from thataltitude.Everythingonaworldappears flat asagameboardfromthevoid,butthebarrelsofdefencelaserspointingskywardalloverthemainconeanditssecondarycompanionwereasufficientstatementofthreat.Thefortressmonasterywasaplaceofgreatpower–nospace-faringvisitorcouldoverlookthat.To theSpaceMarines flocking to theworld, the fortificationswere the least of theArxAngelicum’squalities.Baalwasaspiritualhometoeverytranshumaninthefleet.Nomatterhowfartheyhadstrayedfromthegraceoftheirforefather,andsomehadstrayedfarindeed,theArxAngelicumwasareminderofSanguinius’actuality: that theGreatAngelwasnomyth, thathehadoncebeen, thathehadwalkedandfoughtanddiedforthedreamoftheImperium.Sanguiniushimselfhadbuiltthatfortressandhehaddweltthere.At thesightof it thoseChapterswhohad forgottensomethingof theirheritage felt their love forSanguinius shine anew, while those who still held their lord in their hearts were smitten with near-religiousawe.

Relations between Sanguinius’ sons remained close. Their curse was their bond. Hundreds of thosepresenthadbeentoBaalonpilgrimageormissionsofamity.However,thousandsofthewarriorshadnot,andonmanyshipsofmanycolours,hardenedwarriorswepttoseetheworldoftheirgene-fatherforthefirsttime.Magnifiedfurther,rowsandrowsofSpaceMarinetankswerevisibleontheuncoveredlandingfields,aswastheindustrydisturbingthedesertformilesaroundtheArx.‘Ihaveseenthetyranidswarmwithmyowneyes,’saidAchemen.‘Untilthismoment,Ithoughtwehadnohopeofbeatingthem.Butwemight,wejustmight.’ErwinandAchemenwatchedforanage,unwillingtotearthemselvesawayfromthespectacle.Aharshburstofstaticinterruptedtheirsilence.Avoice,itswordsindistinctbutitstoneangry,blurtedoutfromavoxstationinthecommunicationssection.‘Mylord,wearebeinghailedbytheBladeofVengeance,’calledtheServileofResponse.Erwinfrowned.‘CaptainAsante?’‘Yes,mylord.’‘Letushavehimthen.’Hegestured.‘Mainhololith.’Asante swam hugely into life over the main hololith pit. His armour was bedecked in honours andbloodstone.Hisfacewasstern.‘CaptainAsante,towhatdoIowethishonour?’saidErwin,thoughhecouldguess.Asantemaintainedaneutralexpression.‘CaptainErwin,IdemandyoupresentyourselfupontheBladeofVengeance.’‘Forwhatpurpose?’saidErwin,thoughheguessedthattoo.‘Iwouldlikeyoutoexplaintomewhyyoudisregardedmyorders,andwenttotheaidoftheStaffofLightratherthanfallingintoformationwiththerestofmytaskforce.’Erwinsmiled fixedly. ‘I shallbeglad toattendyou. Iacceptyour invitation,CaptainAsante.Butyouhavenorighttosummonme.’ErwinnoddedattheServileofResponse,andAsantewascutoffashewasopeninghismouthtospeakagain.‘PreparemyThunderhawk,’orderedErwin.Achemenpointed atErwin’s armour.His colourswere scuffed and scratched.Alien blood caked thedeeperrecesses.‘Areyounotgoingtocleanyourwargearbeforeyoumeethim?’‘ThatwouldunderminethepointIamgoingtomake,’saidErwin.‘Goodluck,’saidAchemen.‘Itishewhowillrequireluck,’saidErwin.‘TheAngelsExcelsistakeordersfromnonebutthemselves.Inanycase,youcanwatch,becauseyouarecomingwithme.Orsini,keepthingsinorderwhilewearegone.Servile!’hecalledtohisarmouryservant.‘Bringusourweapons.Weshallspeaktothiscaptainarmed.’

Erwin’sThunderhawkwoveitswaythroughcrowdedspace.Smallercraftspedbetweenthevesselsofthe gathering host, taking emissaries between Chapters to reaffirm old alliances and strike new ones.Fromthelargestshipswentstreamsoflandingcraft,ferryingmenandmaterieltothesurface.Everywherethere was activity, and the vox was overwhelmed with the chatter of two dozen separate militaryorganisationsattemptingtoestablishsomesortoforderbetweenthemselves.ItlookslikeaLegion,thoughtErwin,ofthesortfromtheoldhistories,butitisnot.Ifonlyitwere.Thereisnounityhere.There was no central command structure, no order of deference to be observed, no hierarchy. Each

Chapterwassemi-autonomouswithintheImperium,beholdentothecommandsofitsmasterandnooneelse.VeryfewindividualsororganisationscouldordertheSpaceMarinestodoanything.AlthoughallofthemrespectedCommanderDanteastheeldestlivingSpaceMarinecommander,andhispositionaslordofthefoundingChaptergrantedhimauthority,technicallyalltheChapterMasterswereofthesamerankashe.Thesituationwasevenmorecomplicatedatcaptainlevel.ASpaceMarinecaptainwasexpectedtomakedecisionswithlittleguidance.Formuchofthetimetheyoperatedaloneupontheirowninitiative.TherewerehundredsofthematBaal,andtheyhadnocommandstructuretocoordinatetheiractions.ThatwaswhyErwinmustgotoAsanteandstandhisground.TheBladeofVengeancedominatedthespacearoundit.OrbitalcontrolattheArxAngelicumdiditsbesttogroupshipsbyChapter.TheBladewasattendedby threeof theBloodAngels strikecruisersandanumberofescorts.Itsblood-redliverywasstriking,itsshadeofredmoreviolent,moresanguinarythanalltheotherredsaroundit.Erwinshookhishead.Hismindwasplayingtricks.HowwastheredoftheBloodAngelsanymorevibrantthanthatoftheBloodSwords?HowwasitmorearrestingthanthedeepredandblackoftheFleshTearers?ThatkindofthinkingwaswhyAsantethoughthecouldorderErwinabout.TheideaofBloodAngelsaspre-eminenthadtobechallenged.Evenso,ErwincouldnotshakeasenseofaweashisThunderhawkflewalongthemetalcliffsof theBladeofVengeance’sflanks.Itwasamagnificentship,andancient,datingbacktotheHeresy.Oneofthefirst of its class, and among the most powerful, its gundecks and towers were festooned in glorioussculpture, chased with gold and precious metals. Large panels were painted with stupendous battlescenes. Itwas a scarredbeauty.The freshestwoundswere inflictedby acid, bioplasma and claw, butthesemarksoftheCryptuscampaignwereoverlaiduponolderdamage,someofitsodeeptheartoftheBlood Angels could not conceal it. The damage did not detract from the ship’s grace, instead itaccentuated its magnificence and its deadliness, like duelling scars on the face of a beautiful femalewarrior.TheBladeofVengeancehadtakeneverythingthegalaxyhadtothrowatitfortenthousandyears,andithadsurvivedinglory.Theflightdeckentranceswerelocatedinthestubbywingsprojectingfromthesideofthemainsection.Inthisandotherregards,battle-bargesweresimilartostrikecruisers,withthesameoverallbodydesignofmainhull,andaprojectingneckhousinggunbatteriesandturretsthatendedinaflat-headedprow.Buttheyweresomuchbigger.Extraflankshieldingshelteredtheflightdecksandthereactorcore.Erwin’scraftflewbehindtheshields,outofthelightandintoadarksaturatedwithbloodytonesbytheRedScar,Baalandtheship’sarteriallivery.Atmospheric shielding flickered over his ship, and he came into the brightness once more. HisThunderhawkputdownonalandingsquareinthehangar.‘WelcometotheBladeofVengeance,CaptainErwin,’saidahumanvoice.‘Youmaydisembark.’Erwinordered theramploweredandstrodeout,Achemenandhimself flankedbyapairofExcelsiorGuardianscladall inwhite.Henotedstraightawaythat thegrav-platingwassethigher than theAngelExcelsisships,mimickingBaal’sgreatmass.Ahuman servilewaited forErwin at the foot of the ramp.Armed shipmen stood in a perfect squarebehindhim,theirheavylasgunsheldtoattention.‘Mylord.’Thehumandippedhishead.‘IamCorvael,thirddeckcaptainandbloodthralltotheBloodAngelsChapter.MylordAsanteregrets thatnoneof thebrotherswereavailable togreetyou,but it is,unfortunately, unavoidable. Our Chapter is presently understrength, many of my lords are deployedelsewhere.Asyoucanseewehaveagreatmanytaskstoaccomplish.’OurChapter? thought Erwin. One of his own serviles would never have dared refer to the AngelsExcelsisthatway,andacaptain?TherewasnomeekdeferenceinthisCorvael.Hewasconfident,daring

tolookatErwinasifhewerealmostanequal.Erwinhidhisastonishment.Hisirritationwasharder.‘Mythanks,thirddeckcaptain.’Corvaelboweddeeply.ItwasasmallbalmtoErwin’soutrage.ServitorscametotheThunderhawk,clampingtrackunitsarounditslandingclawsthatraisedtheshipupoffthedeck.Thetrackssquealed,andtheThunderhawklurchedoffinthedirectionofaholdingbay.CorvaelfollowedErwin’seyes.‘Yourshipwillbereadytoleavewhenyouare,mylord.’Impertinent,thoughtErwin.‘Takemetoyourmaster,’hesaid.‘Asyouwish.’Corvaelturnedsmartlyabout.TheAngelsExcelsisfollowed,andthehumanshipsmenformeduparoundthem.

Corvael was not lying about the number of Space Marines present. They marched down desertedcorridors.Ammunitiontransportsrumbledpastontheirwaytoandfromtheship’svastmagazines,buttheonlypeopletheysawwereservitorhalf-men,andtheirbarelymorehumanAdeptusMechanicuscreators.SpaceMarinecrafthadsmallcrewsfortheirsize,mostofthembeingservitorswatchedoverbyhumanserfsandcommandedbySpaceMarines.ItwasunbelievabletoErwintohavethelikesofCorvaelwithsomuchauthority.HeshouldhaveseenatleastafewfellowSpaceMarines.Theywentdeeperintotheshiptowardsthecommandspires.OnlywhentheyreachedabankofgiantlifterssituatedatanexusinthespinalcorridordidheseeasolitaryBloodAngelstandingwatch.Ornatedoorsofredmarbleslidback.Theywerebeautifullycarved,aswastheinteriortheyrevealed.‘Thisway,mylord,’saidCorvael,gesturingtotheemptylifter.Theyascendedmanyfloorstotheuppermostdecks,passingthecommandcentre.Theliftstoppednearthetopofitsrun,andErwin’spartywasledintoaloftyhallwhosewalls,floorandceilingwerecoveredinpolishedstoneofblack,redandcream.InsidehefoundadozenBloodAngels–asinglesquadandacouple of SanguinaryGuardwhose armour and gearmirrored Erwin’s ExcelsiorGuardians in all butcolour.Therewasahighthroneinthehalluponaplatformheldoffthepavingbyacunninglybalancedstair.ThethoughtofAsante lecturinghimfromthatvantagemadeErwinangry,but itappeared thecaptainwouldnot,foritwascoveredinaredbannerbearingtheChapterbadge.TheBloodAngelsparted,revealingAsante.‘You,’saidAsantewithoutintroduction.‘Iorderedyoutofollowmylead.Whydidyounot?’Erwin removedhishelmetbeforeanswering, letting thehissofpressureequalisation fill thespaceofwords. He looked upon a man who was similar in appearance to himself. Sanguinius’ gene-seedreworkeditsbearersstrongly.TherewasagenuinefamilyresemblanceintheChapters.‘Becauseyouhavenorighttoorderme,’saidErwin.‘IamnotofyourChapter.EvenifIwere,Iamacompanycaptain.Youhavenocompany. Iwillnot submit to another captain’s authoritywithoutdirectordersfrommyownChapterMaster.’‘Soyoudisobeyed–’beganAsante.‘Disregardedishowyouputitbefore,’interruptedErwin.‘Thatismoreaccurate.’‘Youdisregardedmyorderstomakeapoint?’saidAsante.‘Idisregardedthembecauseyoudidnotgivemethecompletepicture.Isawashipindanger.Wecouldnotcommunicate.HowwasItoknowtheStaffofLifewasadecoy?’‘Itwasanobvioustactic,’saidAsante.‘OneIdisagreewith.Tobefrank,hadIknownIwouldhaveactedthewayIdidanyway.Intheend,Iextricatedtheshipandmyself.Youcouldhavedonethesame.’

‘IfIhad,Iwouldhaveriskedmyentiretaskforce.Youputtwoshipsindanger,andyourcompany.ThedestructionofZozanTertiuswasundermycommand.’‘Icametoacallforaid,’saidErwin.‘IaidedyouasIsawfit.’Asantefrowned,andtookadata-slatefromanattendantbloodthrall.‘Uponthisslatearetriple-verifiedprognostications for casualty reports if my plan had been followed. Within it also you will see thechancesofsuccessforyourself-appointedmission.Youwillnotetheyarelow.’Erwinignoredtheslate.‘Iactedonmyownjudgement,asismyright.YoucannotcomplainaboutmyexercisingmyEmperor-givenauthorityasacaptainoftheAdeptusAstartes.’‘Iwouldnot,hadyounotputmyentireoperationatrisk.’Erwinlaughed.‘Nonsense.Iputmycompanyatrisk,notyouoryourships.’‘Ourchancesofescapewouldhavebeenhigherhadyouobeyed.’‘Youescapedanyway!’saidErwin.‘Thankstome,Hennanof theAngelsNuminouslivestoretell thestoryofyourvictory.Had itnotbeen formyso-calleddisobedience,hewouldhavebeendead,andavaluableshiplost.’‘NowIseemoretodisagreewithyouabout.Youcallthisavictory?’saidAsante.‘Yourmissionwas todeprive thehivefleetsofbiomass, Iassume.Youenactedexterminatus?’Erwinshrugged.‘Thenyourmissionwasasuccess.’‘FivehundredmillionImperialcitizensaredeadbyourhand,’saidAsante.Hisfaceflushed.Hesteppedin close to the Angel Excelsis. He was bigger and heavier than Erwin, but Erwin would not beintimidated. ‘Five hundred million lives we were sworn to protect. Their world, a valuable, viableworld,isnomore.Theycalledforhelp,beforetheshadowfellonthem.Theywouldhaveseenusarriveasthehivefleetinvestedtheirplanet,thinkingtheirprayersansweredandtheirlivessaved.Butdietheydid,andthelastsighttheyhadwasofaBloodAngelswarshipopeningfireuponthem,’saidAsante.‘Wedidnothavetimetoevacuate them,or toevenexplainouractionsfully.Therearenosuccesses in thisfight,onlydegreesoffailure.Impetuouswarriorslikeyouincreasetheseverityofthosefailures.’‘Youareattemptingtodistractyourselffromyourguiltbyrailingatme.IexpectedmorefromtheBloodAngels.’‘AndIexpectmorerespectfromabrotherinarms.Isuggestedacourseofactionthatwaslogicalandhadthehigherparameterofsuccess.’‘WhatcanIsay?’saidErwin.‘Ienjoybadodds.’Asantestaredathim.‘Please do not become angry, brother,’ said Erwin. ‘I agree, we need a command structure. IfcommandedtodosobymyownlordIwillfollowyouwithoutquestion.ButyouhavenorighttoassumeIwillfollowyoubecauseyouareofthefatherChapter.Ahierarchybasedonsoflimsyapremisewillnotwithstand the rigours ofwar.You presume toomuch because youwear the colours of Sanguinius,mybrother.’Asante scowled. ‘Yourefforts to save theStaffofLightare appreciated,but folly.Saving it is tobecommended.Missingtwoshipswouldhavebeenthepoorerresult,anditwasfarmorelikely.Donotriskyourselfinthatmanneragain.’‘Ihavesaidthatyoucannotcommandme!’saidErwin.‘Thenyouwilldiealone.Wemustworkinconcertifwearetoprevail.CommanderDantewillshowyoutheway.’‘Noagreementhasbeenmadeyet,’saidErwin.‘Someonehastotakecommand,’saidAsante.‘Wecouldbewranglingoverthisformonths.Ifwedonot

makeourownagreementswhenneeded,wewilldie.Ifthissituationeveroccursagain,IadviseyoutodoasIsay,ordieasyouwill.AllthatmatterstomeisthatBaalissaved.Ihopeyouwillchoosethebetteroptionsoyoumighthelpinthedefence,ratherthanthrowingyourlifeaway.’Erwin frowned. ‘Why are you being this way? Why do you challenge my authority in front of mysecond?’‘Ihavecommandedfleetsagainstthetyranidseleventimes,’saidAsante.‘IfoughtatCryptuswheretheswarmwasbiggerthananywehaveseenbefore.Whatisyourexperience,brother?’‘Sufficient,’saidErwin.‘Idonothavetolistentothisrebuke.Itisunworthyofbothofus.’Hereplacedhishelmetandmotionedtohismentoleave.Itwasgoodnoonetriedtostophim.Inthemoodhewasin,Erwinwouldhavefought.‘Captain!’calledAsante.Erwinpaused.‘Iheartheypausedintheirassaultduringyourescape.Why?’saidAsante.‘OnlyHennancouldhavetoldyouthat.Ungratefulwretch,reportingonmetoyou.’‘Didithappen,ornot?’‘Wedrovethemoff,itissimple,’saidErwin.‘Theyneverretreat,never.Doyouknowthat,CaptainErwin?’‘Thatisnotmyexperience,captain.’‘Really? I adviseyou to checkyour ship for signsof infiltration,’ saidAsante. ‘Youmaybecarryinggenestealers,orworse.’‘There areno infiltrationorganismsonmy ship.Noneat all,’ saidErwin.Hemade togoagain, thenstoppedandturnedback.‘Thepeopleyoumourn.Theywouldhavediedanyway,’saidErwin.‘Theydiedquickly.Theirbodiesremainuponaworldsanctifiedbytheirdeath.Theywillnotprovidereinforcementstoourfoe.TheverystuffthatmakesthemdidnothavetoendurethemostwickedformofslaveryIhaveeverencountered.Forgiveme,BloodAngel,butinmyChapterthedestructionofZozanTertiuswouldberegardedasasuccess.’‘Getout,’saidAsante.Erwinsaluted,makingtheaquilaoverhisheart.‘Iwillseeyouonthefieldagain,Iamsure.’TheAngelsExcelsisboardedtheelevatoragainundertheunfriendlystareoftheBloodAngels.‘YousaythatIhavenofaithinmyabilities,’saidAchemen.‘Yourproblem,mybrother,isthatyouhavetoomuchconfidenceinyourown.’Erwinhissedtheatrically.Achemenlookedsidelongathim.‘Oneday,’saidthesergeant,‘youaregoingtogetusallkilled,captain.’

The pod’s inhabitant extruded its sticky foot from its shell. A set of razor claws composed of asynthesisedmineralpunchedthroughitsskin.Theclawswereintendedtobeusedonce,andhadnoexitfromtheirsheathsbutthroughthefleshofthepseudopod,destroyingitintheprocess.Theclawssnappedoutinawelteroffluidthatfrozeinthevoidalcold.AfrenziedtwistingofdyingmusclessentthemslicingintotheresinssealingthepodtothehulloftheSplendidPinion.Thepodconvulsedandshook.Limbstrappedinsidecalciferouscavitiesbeathopelesslyattheirprisons,shakingthepodlooseoftheweakenedresins,anditdriftedfree.Sensingbeastscamealive.Arichfloodofpreysignswampedthepod’ssecondarybrain.Insecondsithadprocessedmultiplestreamsofdata,identifyingthetargetfixedinitsmemorybythegreaterhivemind,andcalculatedthebesttrajectorytolandunseen.Thelastpropellantgaseswereexpended,movingthepodawayfromthepreyvessel,andleavingitat

themercyoffate.Sophisticated baffles screened the pod’s descent through the crowded sky. Void craft gravity wakesperturbed its flight, threatening to cast it uncontrolled into thewell of Baal Primus.With emotionlesscalm,thepodshiftedfluidbetweeninternalbladders,correctingitsfall.Itwouldhavediedwithequalphlegmatism.IntotheupperreachesofBaal’satmosphereitfell,goingfromthekillingchillofthevoidintothecoldnightskyof theSouthernDuneOcean.Atmosphericfrictionscorchedthehard,wrinkledexteriorof thecraft,cookingalive the lesser subcreaturesclinging to theshell.Theydied insilentagony, robbing thepod’s brains of sight, hearing, smell and every other sense one byone.Thepod’s graspon the prey’spositionslippedawayasitfellintosightlessdark.Themeaninglesselectromagneticpulsesboomingfromthemetal-shelledcraftofthepreywerethelasttogosilent,andthenthepodwasisolatedfromeverythingbuttheburningheatoftheair.Terminalimpactsmashedthepod’sprimarybraintomush,andwrenchedthesecondaryfromitscellularbindings.Floatingfreeindrainingfluids,ittwitcheditsvestigiallimbsforthefirstandfinaltime.Stimulanthormones floodedboth thepodand its occupant.This last act accomplished, the secondarybraindied,notcaringaboutitsowndemiseorthatitsmissionhadbeenaccomplished.Sandblewover the steamingshell.Thepodwasan insignificant speck inaplainofundulating sand,blackinBaalSecundus’moonshine.Minutespassedwithnosignofactivity.Thepodwasalreadybeginningtodisappearunderthedriftingsand.Awetcrackheraldedafalsebirth.Seams,ropywiththickmucous,burstopenalongthequarterlinesofthehull,spasmed,thensplayedwide.Fromwithin,atall,ganglingcreaturestaggeredout,unsteadyasanewborn animal at first, but within a few steps it was striding confidently into the night. It unfoldedmultiplelimbs,itsgreatkillingtalonsliftinghighandopeningupward.Itcastbackitsheadandtastedtheair.Glowingeyeslookedskyward.Tentaclesmovedbeneathanalienskullinplaceofamouth.The lictor scanned the areawithmultiple senses.Hittinguponwhat it sought, it turned sharplyon itshoovesandgallopedoff.Itsoutlineflickered,anditvanishedintothedark.

CHAPTEREIGHTTHEOCTOCALVARIAE

Therewere places in theCarceriArcanum that actively denied theworking of technology.Mephistonpausedattheborderofone,tookupatorchofrare,resinousBaalianwoodfromarack,lititwithasmallfusion torch hanging by a chain from the crumbling brickwork, and went deeper within. Firelightsupplementedtheweakglowof thebiolumenglobesrivetedto thevaultedceiling.Waterdrippedfromsomewhereahead.Baalwasasdryasbonedust;theliquidcamefromsomeotherplaceandtime.Nooneknewwhohadbuilt theCarceriArcanum.Theywere someof theoldestpartsof the fortressmonastery,ifnottheoldest.Ithadbeensuggestedtheypredatedthevolcanotheyburrowedunder,buttheywereofbrick,andseemedtohavebeenmadebyhumanhand,whereasthevolcanowasestimatedtobeoversevenmillionyearsold.Thetunnelshadmanypeculiarqualities.IfmappedagainstBaal’sphysicalterrain,theyshouldhavegonemilesoutsidetheArxMurus,buttherewasnosignofthem.Once,acuriousLibrarianhadorderedapitdug into thedesert sandswhere the tunnelsshouldsurelybe.He found theruinsofadefencecomplexabandonedafterthesunderingoftheLegion,andnotunnels.Manymysterieswere attached to theCarceriArcanum, but only one certainty, and thatwas that theywereanomalousineveryrespect.Theyresonatedwiththewarp,amplifyingthepowerof thelibrarius.Because of this affinity,Mephiston held court in the Circle of Consonance at their centre, where hisQuorumEmpyricmettodiscussmattersofsorceryandthesoul.TheCarceriArcanumservedafurtherusefulpurpose.Deepunderground,onlypartiallycontainedwithinmundanerealityandwithafiercesourceofempyricalenergytotap,theywereafineplacetohousetheChapter’smostdangerousrelics.ThetunnelthatMephistontookledawayfromthecentreofthelabyrinthdownoneofitslengthyspurs.Shortcorridorscurvedoffthepassageway,theirshadowsresistanttohistorch. In those corridors adamantium doors barred cells where ancientweapons languished.A swordwhichslewanyfoe,butthatkindledtheBlackRageswiftlyinitswielder.Thefullarmouroftheblood-madChapterMasterAraclaes,whosereignendedinsuchdisasterfortheChapterithadbeenstruckfromevery record. The skull of the haemonculus of Baal, a creature whose falsehoods almost brought theBloodAngelslow.Thereweredevicessalvagedfromdeadworlds,dangeroustechnologythathadsurvivedthefallofOld

Night, idols to alien gods, cracked force wands whose splinters allowed a direct view into otherrealities,cursedblades,theshatteredbodiesofNecronlordsheldprisonerinstasis,boltersthatfiredtrueeverytimebutwhichrequiredthebloodoftheinnocenttofunction,thecrownsofinsaneemperorsandthebanners of fallen squads whose histories were blacker than the void. These and worse things wereinterredthere.AsMephistonwentpastthegalleriesofcells,thesenseofstrangenessclingingtotheplacegrew.Thegrindingthumpofheavymachineryrumbledthebrick,thoughtherewasnomachinerythere.Ghostlightsflickeredacrossdistantpassages,daringchase.Shadowyshapesblinkedglowingeyes from inconstantcorridors.Atonejunctionthethunderofawaterfallwascarriedonacolddraftthatsmelledenticinglyofwater,butifthesoundwerefollowed,bothsmellandsoundpeteredout,andtheexplorerwasconfrontedbyacollapsedsectionoftunnelfullofbonesandblacksand.Mephistonstrodebyallthesewondersandhorrors.Noneheldanydangerforthelikesofhim.Theendofthecorridorwaswherethelibrariusended,andwhateverlaybeyonditbegan.ThesandyflooroftheCarceriArcanumstoppedatanirondoorroughandpurplewithoxidisation,butthewardingsymbolsonitwereclear toseefor thosewiththerightkindofsight.ToMephiston’seyesthey glowed. He rapped three times on the door with the head of his torch, causing it to sputter andshowersparksovertheground.Withanunearthlymoan,thedooropenedinward.Mephistonsteppedthrough.Historchgutteredoutinabreezerichwithincense.Itwassoblackthathissensitiveeyeswereblind.Hiswarpsightwasdulledbythecounterrunespaintedonthewalls.Hesawonlythese,andthenasafeebleglow.A machine coughed. There was the sound of a reactor powering up, and the smell of exhaust. Themachinenoisebecameagruntingrumble.Pistonshissed.Avisionslitglowedgreeninthedark,graduallylightingtheroomenoughsothatMephistonmightseetheextentofthesmallantechamber.Asecondirondoorwas situated opposite the first, iron loops set in the frame criss-crossedwith hexagrammaticallywardedchains.BythedoorthesquareshapeofaLibrarian-Dreadnoughtstoodsentry.‘Greetings,Mephiston,LordofDeath,’amachine-moderatedvoiceboomedout.‘Itisalongtimesinceyouvisitedmyvault.’The Dreadnought occupied more than half the room. Its engines growled unevenly, rough with longinactivity. In onemechanical fist themachine held an oversizedpoweraxe.The crystallinematrixwasdormant. But the occupant of the Dreadnought could bring it to life in a moment, and though ancientemployitwithdevastatingskill.‘MyLordMarest,’saidMephiston.‘IhavebeenfortunatethatIhavenotneededtoventurehereforsometime.’‘What bringsyou to thismost damnedof places?’ said theDreadnought.Marestwasolder even thanCommanderDante.Oncehehadbeen theChiefLibrarian,asMephistonwasnow.Beforehehadbeeninterredinthewartomb,hehadcommandedthatanewvaultbeconstructed,wherealltheworstthingsinthe Chapter’s care be kept, including the thing that had killed him.With his dying breathMarest hadpledged towatchover it forall time,and sohehad.The roomhenowguardedwas too small forhisDreadnoughttoenter.WhentheVaultofMaresthadfinallybeenfinished,Marest’ssarcophagushadbeendraggedinonawoodensled,andhisnewbodyassembledaroundit.HisdedicationtotheChapterwashelduptotheneophytesofeachnewgeneration.EveryBloodAngelknewthestoryofMarest.‘Have you come to view the scroll? Has the time come to seek new knowledge from our lord’sprophecies?’‘Iamafraidnot,’saidMephiston.Hedroppedhisextinguishedtorchandplacedhishandonthehiltof

Vitarus.‘Imustgodeeper.’‘Isthatso?’rumbledtheDreadnought.‘Whatoccursintheworldbeyond?’‘Darkthings,LordLibrarian.TheGreatDevourerapproachesBaal,andanother,olderenemy.’‘Yourequireknowledge,then,’saidMarest.‘Youwillvisittheoctocalvariae?’‘Ishall.Iamsorrytodisturbit.’‘Why?Doyouapologisebecause itwashewhoslewme,orbecauseyoufearmy judgementonyouractions?’Mephistondidnotreply.‘Itmatters not.Your position is a key thatwill unlock any door.Youmust dowhat you deem right,’rumbledMarest.‘Youarepermittedtogowhereothersareprevented.Nevertheless,Iwillprovidetheritual warning. Be careful what dark things you look upon within this vault. Take none of their evilunknowinglyoutwithyou.’‘Yourwordsareworthheeding,mylordMarest.’‘Theyare,LordofDeath.Gowithmyblessing,’saidMarest.Hisblockyupperbodypivotedontheballmountofthewaist.Heraisedhisforceaxe.Wychlightshonearoundtheblade,andthechainsfellfromthedoorwaywithaclatter.‘AndmaytheEmperorwatchoveryoursoul.’‘Mythanks,LordMarest.’Beforehelefttheroom,Mephistondrewhissword.AchamberofmarkedcontrasttoMarest’satriumgreetedhim.Asmoothcylinderofrockcretedroppedawaydowntoamachinecomprisinganuprightdiscspinningroundatferociousspeed,shootingoutnoisyblue sparks. Embossed steel skulls around the shaft’s circumference stared up at himwith bloodstoneeyes.Thecylinderwassaturatedwithredlight,theshortburstsofelectricbluemixingpainfullyintoit.Thelimblesstorsosofservitorswereembeddedinalcovesinthecylinderwalllevelwiththetopofthedisc.Lidlesseyesheldthediscineternalvigilance.ThisunitacceptedenergyremotelybroadcastfromIdaliatopowerthevault’smechanisms,forunlikeinthegreaterundercroft,thereweremachinesintheVaultofMarest,specialdevicesshieldedfromtheoddeffects of theCarceriArcanum.Using the power of Idalia, they formed the random energies coursingalongthebrickcorridorsandmadeofthemstrongpsychicwallsthatnonecouldpenetrate.TheVaultofMarestwasaprisonaboveallelse.Everypartofitsphysicalandmetaphysicalfabricwasdedicatedtothepurposeofconfinement.Dozensoffellthingswerekeptinside.InthewiderCarceriArcanumwerearticlestouchedbyChaos,but those inside the vaultwerewholly of it. Theywere things that could not be destroyed for fear ofunleashing the evil theycontained,or simplybecause theywerenotdestructible in anyunderstandableway.Acatwalkranaroundthecircumferenceoftheroom.Asingle,silver-plateddoorledoutagain,coveredinwardingsigns.Mephistonwentthroughthisotherdoorintotheonlypurechamberinthevault,andoneofthelargest:theEcclesiaObscura.Hisfootstepsechoedfromdistantwalls.Stained-glasswindowsdepictingscenesfromSanguinius’lifefilteredlightfromanunknownsource.Nodustdancedintheslantingbeams,fortheairwasextensivelyscrubbedon itsway inandoutof thevaultsbypsychicallyactiveatmospheric filters.Whispersfromthepallidscholiastswhoinhabitedtheplacemurmuredfromthestones.Thiswas thehomeof theScrollsofSanguinius. In thevault theyweresafe fromallharm,psychicorphysical.Fifteenscrollcasingsasbigasmenhunginstasisfields,theirtopsclosedwithwirecrimpedshutwithleadseals.Mephistonpausedbythecasings,closinghiseyesandallowingthesanctityofhislong-deadlordbathehissoul.SomethinginhimrecoiledatthetouchofSanguinius’power,butheheld

hismindfullinthefire,shudderingasitpurifiedhim.NothingelseofgoodnesswaskeptintheVaultofMarest.Thepurityofthescrollsactedasabarriertotheevilsthatwerehousedinthedeeperchambers.Scholiastspausedintheirduties.TheirmindstouchedMephiston’sownwithfeatheredpressure.Thesemen had been acolytum to the librarius before their failure, but though rejected they possessed somementalstrength,andsotheylivedouttheirserviceindarkness,ministeringtotherelicofaherowhosegloriestheycouldneveraspireto.Mephistonignoredtheattentionofthesecast-offsandwalkedtotheendofthehall.Asheapproached,an irongateclanked into theceiling.Staleair taintedwith thesharpscentofwickednessblewathim.GrippingVitarusmoretightly,Mephistonproceededintotheinnervaults.

BeyondtheEcclesiaObscurathevaultstookonthecharacteroftheCarceriArcanum,becomingawarrenoftunnelsagain,thoughthesewereofrockcreteandsilverratherthanbrick,andribbedcablesranalongthewalls,carryingpowertothelockingmechanismsofthecells.ThepsychospherewasofadifferentsorttothatoftheCarceriArcanum.Itwastrammelledbystrangemachines, and darker in flavour. Though securely held, the things gaoled there leaked their maligninfluences into the fabric of the walls, making a dangerous cocktail for the soul. Mephiston felt itsimpuritysaturatehisbeing.Hewasunperturbed.Thereweredarkerthingstrappedinsidehisbody.Doors hummed with caged warp power. Grey rockcrete gave way to warded adamantium and backagain.Each roomwasspecifically tailored to theevilofwhatever it contained,bespokecreations thatmeldedwarp sorceryand science.Whole tunnelshadbeenadaptedas cells for the largerobscenities.Giantpitshadbeendugintotheunearthlysoil,linedwithsanctifiedsilverandroofedwithbarsofpurestiron.Sanguinius’symbolwaseverywhere.Glass-frontedboxesprojectedhololithicsymbolsanathematothe working of the warp. Combat servitors prowled the complex, their brain cases stamped withcounterspells, the first line of defence should anything escape. Maintenance constructs trundled by,constantlymonitoring formalfunction, ready to summon aid from the forge to fixwhat they could notrepairthemselves.Noteverythingtherewasanartefact.Somethingshadlife,orasemblanceoflife,andwerecapableofactionontheirown.ItwastooneofthesebeingsthatMephistonwent.Thevaultwasnotparticularlyextensive.IttooktheLordofDeathonlyminutestomakehiswaytohisdestination,thoughtimeinthevaultwasdifficulttoaccuratelymeasure.Heturnedoffthemaincorridorandcametoacrude-lookingcelldoorofblackwood,withasteelgrillerustedorangeateyelevel.Itsappearancewasdeceptive.Insidethetreethewoodwasharvestedfrom,veinsofpsychicallyconductivecrystalhadbeen forcegrown,and theyvibratedwith thepowerof theempyrean.Mephiston looked in. A dark shape sat at the centre of the room, four arms stretched out from anemaciatedbodyandheldinplacebymanaclesandchainsengravedwithcomplexcircuitries.Thefloorthrummedwiththeactionsofhiddenmachinery.Therewasnokey;nonormallockwouldholdtheprisoner.Mephistonpusheduponthewood.Hisskintingled through his armour.Without his ceramite, the power running through itwould have burned hisflesh.Thedoorcreakedopen.With a gesture, Mephiston ignited four rod lumens stapled to the walls. Three shone with a cold,greenishlight.Thefourthhitchedandbuzzedwithaflickerthatwouldnotsettle.Thecreatureinthecellwasnothuman.Twostumpylegsmadeupitsnumberoflimbstosix.Itsskinwas

slackonfatlessflesh,manyribsclearlyvisiblebeneath.Theoctocalvariaehadbeeninthecellforthreethousandyearswithoutanynourishment.Itshouldhavediedlong,longago.Butitwouldnot.Thethinglifteditshead.Whetheritsbodywasitstrueformwasnotknown.Therehadbeennoneofitsrace left to compare itwith.But its facewas not its original.Chaos had had itswaywith the thing’sfeatures, perverting them in amanner thatwas unmistakable.Upon its alien head, eight tiny, grotesquefaceshadgrown.Theywereallidentical,perhapsminiaturereplicasofthexenos’original.Thereweresixsimpleeyesoneach.Thenoseswerethreegill-likeverticalslits.Themouthswereslenderproboscescurledneatlybetweenpoisonouspalpae.Thecreaturedidnotusespeechlikemendid.Itwasprobableitsspecieshadbeenpsychic;ifso,itwastheirdownfall.Tracesoflargerfeatureswerevisibleaspuckersinthesmoothflesh.Chaoshadwipedthexenos’faceclean,givingiteightinminiatureincruelrecompense.Mephistonfeltitsintellectproddingathis.Withathought,hepushedasidetheempyricveilscagingitsmind,makinganaperturebigenoughforittospeakthrough.+Whoareyou?+itsaid.Its thoughtswerealien.Therewasnolinguisticstructurethatahumanwouldrecognise,butMephistonunderstood,psykertopsyker.‘IamMephiston.ChiefLibrarianoftheBloodAngels,theLordofDeath,’saidMephistonaloud.+Afittingnameforonesuchasyou.+Itsmultipleeyesblinkedtogether.+Youarethesuccessortotheonewhokilledmyfollowersandcagedme.+‘Iam.Manygenerationsremoved.Youhavebeenherealongtime.’Thethingletitsheaddroop.+Forpreachingthetruthofrealitytoyourpeople,youkillandenslave,+itsaid.+Youcallmemonster,youwhohungerforthebloodofyourownkind.+‘You are the enslaver,’ said Mephiston. ‘By warpcraft you subjugated three Imperial systems, andseduced their inhabitants away from the light of the Emperor, and damned them for all eternity. Yourconfinementhereisjust.Wewouldkillyou,ifwecould.’The alien’s smooth flesh convulsed. The eight tiny faces pulsed, their eyes closing and opening inrhythmicwaves.Ashowofmirth.ItslaughterechoedinMephiston’smind.+Youcannot.Thedarklordsmakemestrong.Haveyoucomeheretogloat?Ifyouhave,enjoyit.Ishallonedaybefreeofthisplace.Iwillbemercifultothosewhoshowmerespect.+‘Ihavenoneedtogloat,’saidMephiston,‘andyoushallneverescape.Ihavecomeinsteadtoseekyourwisdom,evilasitis.’Thethinglaughedagain.Itssuspendedbodyquivered.+Thatisamusing.+‘AgreatdarknessapproachesBaal.’+Isee it.Ablankness in theseaofsouls.Anunendinghungercomes.Itdesires toconsumeyou.Yourhungersaresimilar.Doyounotseeitasakindredspirit?+askedthebeing.Mephistonignoredthealien’sinsinuation.‘Thereissomethingelse.Anothereventissoontooccur,notofthematerialrealmbutofthewarp.Ihaveseenitinavision,butwillhaveconfirmationbeforeIact.’The thing dragged its deformed head upright. +And youwantme to help you?+ It laughed again, itsamusementbuffetingMephiston’sstonysoul.‘Youwillhelpme.’+Thenreleaseme,+itsaid,+andperhapsImayaccommodateyourdesiresbeforeIkillyou.+‘IneversaidIneededyouractiveparticipation.’MephistondroveVitarusintothegroundbeforethealienpsykerandreachedouthishandstowardsit.Redfireflickeredaroundhisfingers.Hebentthecreature’smindtohiswill,butitfoughthimalltheway,andforamomentMephistonfeared

hehadattemptedataskhecouldnotaccomplish,andthatthebeingwouldoverwhelmhim.Withapsychicshout,hepushedhard,batteringtheoctocalvariaeintosubmission.Thecreaturewas aworshipperofChaos in its formlessglory andwasmany thousandsofyearsold.Whoknewwhatworldsithadruinedorhowmanyspeciesithadcorrupted?Attheheightofitspowerithadbeenaprophetofincredibleaccuracy.Itslinktotheempyreanwasstillstrong,andMephistonrodethis as awarrior fromabackwardworldmight attempt tomaster anunbroken steed.Thexenos’mindbuckedandthrashedinhispsychicgrip,buthedidnotrelent,andthroughthecreature’smanyunholyeyeshelookedoutintotheRealmofChaos,andthemyriadpossibilitiesformingthere.Abillionhorribleimagesburnedintohissecondsight.Hesiftedthroughthemquickly.Ka’Bandha’slustforthesoulsoftheBloodAngelsshoneredlybright.Mephistonhomedinonthegreaterdaemon’sessencewithlittledifficulty.For a briefmoment he saw the daemonic battle still raging.The red angel burnedwith furious fires.Ka’Bandhawaswithinaspear’scastoftheGate.Hewascomingtothematerialrealm.Thebloodthirsterpausedinitscarnage,turnedandlookedMephistondirectlyintheeye.Ka’Bandha’sbellowsenttheLordofDeathflyingbackwards.Trailingflamesheslammedintothewalloftheoctocalvariae’scell.The octocalvariae convulsed in its chains, setting them rattling violently.When the spasm stopped, ithungfromitsbonds,laughingmoreloudlythanever.+That iswhatyouwantedtoknow?Hadyoutoldme,Iwouldhaveshownyouwillingly.There isnofinerthingthanpresentingabeingwithtruthofitsowndeath.TheNeverbornyoucallKa’Bandhawillcomeforyou,so-calledLordofDeath.Hewilltakeyourmortalskullforhisdrinkingcup,andyoursoulshalljoinhisarmies,andthrowdownthisImperiumyoupretendtolove.+Mephistonrecoveredhimself,andtookupVitarus.‘Thosearelies,’hesaidcalmly.+Are they?Youwill see!+said theoctocalvariae.+There isadarkness inyou thateclipsesmyown,LordofDeath.Letmefree,soImayseeyoufall!+‘Youwillremainhere,’saidMephiston,hisvoicecoldasthedepthsofspace.‘Beassured,ifitwerepossible,Iwouldslayyou.’+Oneday,youwillbemyally,+saidtheoctocalvariae.‘Never,’saidMephiston.Heseveredthepsychiclink,leavingtheoctocalvariaescratchingatthewallsofhismentalfortress.For an instant,Mephiston considered running the xenos sorcerer through, simply for the pleasure ofhurtingit.HesheathedVitarusanddeparted.

CHAPTERNINEDANTE’SDILEMMA

TheRedCouncilwasoneoftheBloodAngelstworulingbodies,theotherbeingtheCouncilofBloodandBone.ThelatterwasmadeupoftheseniorchaplaincyandSanguinarypriesthood,responsibleforthespiritual andphysicalwork toconstrain the flaw.Chief among theirdutieswas the selectionof anewChapterMasterwhentheofficewasvacant.TheRedCouncil’spurviewwasthewagingofwar,andasthatwasthepurposeofallAdeptusAstartesChapters,itwastheseniorofthetwogroups.SuchwastheimportanceoftheRedCouncilthattheroomwhereitmetintheArxAngelicumwasreplicatedineverydetailuponbothbattle-bargesoftheChapter:theBladeofVengeance,andtheBloodcaller.Atleast,soithadbeen.WhenresponsesfromthesuccessorChaptersbeganfloodingintothefortressmonastery,DantehaddecreedthatthecouncilroombeexpandedsothatalltheChapterMastersandtheircaptainsmightsitthereasbrothers.‘This isourdarkesthour,andtheyhaveanswered,’hehadtoldhisassembledofficers.‘IwillaccordthemthehonourasiftheywereofourownChapter,’hesaid.‘LetnowarriorcometoBaalatourcallforassistanceandfeelhimselflessthanequal.’Theancientroomwasobliterated.Sixthousandyearsofhistorywasmadedustintheeffortofaweek.ManyotherhallswerecarvedawaytomakespaceforDante’svision.ThenumberofseatsontheRedCouncil was twenty-five. The rebuilt Chamber of the Red Council was twenty times as large. Fivehundredseatswerearrayedaroundamassivecirculartablewithahollowcentre.TheChapterMaster’schairhadbeenslightlylargerthantheothers,toemphasisehisstatusasfirstamongequals.Danteinsistedhischairinthenewchamberbereplacedintheroomexactlythesameasithadbeenbefore,andthatthechairsfortheotherChapterMastersbethesamesizeashis.Thenewtablewasofpurewhitemarble.Thenamesandranksofthoseinvitedtoattendweredisplayedon adaptive golden plaques set into the table surface. The plaques were the same in dimension anddecoration.Nowarriorwouldthinkanothermorehighlyregardedthananyother.TheChamberoftheGreatRedCouncilwasasartfulandfineaseverythingtheBloodAngelsmade.Itsdecorationwasflawless,adisplayoftasteandcraftsmanshipofthehighestsort.Blackrockwaspolished

untilitgleamed.ReliefsofeverysinglesuccessorChaptertheBloodAngelshadbegottendecoratedthewalls, theirheraldrypickedout inbrightmineralsandpreciousmetals.Thosewhoweredamnedwereincluded,thoughtheirpanelscoveredoverwithblackcloth.Thosewhowerelost towarweremarkedwithgloweringcollectionsofskullscarvedfromthesameivoryastheBloodAngels’sarcophagi.AlltheChaptersthatsprangfromSanguinius’glorywerethere,aliveanddead,goodandbadalike.Theworstofthemhadbeenheroesonce,andtheshameoftheirfallingwasalessontheothersshouldnotneglect.ScrollscarvedinthestoneborethenamesofeveryChapterMasteroftheseorders,atleastsofarastheywereknown.Thenamesofprominentheroeswereembroidereduponflagshangingovertheshrines,andparchmentsfixedwithcolouredwaxesrecordedthemostfamousbattlehonoursofeachbrotherhood.Thefoundinglordsofthesecond-generationChapterswerecommemoratedinstone.Tomakethem,thebonesoftheextinctvolcanohadbeenshapedintolivingmarvels,statuessorealistictheylookedasiftheymightstepdownfromtheirplinths.Eventhoseraceswhoconsideredthemselvesmorerefinedthangrosshumanitywouldhavemarvelledatthechamber’sbeauty.Therewasaweightofhistory,ofhonourandofjustifiedpride,andsotheroomfeltasoldastheChapter,thoughithadbeenfinishedonlyafewdaysbefore.Itwaitedforthosewhowouldfillit,readytojudgethedeedsofthelivingagainstthoseofthedeadcommemoratedonthewalls.Itwas in thisGreatChamber of theRedCouncil thatMephistonmetwithDante.TheLord ofDeatharrived tofindhis lordsitting inhis throne.Hishelmwasseton the table,Dantegazing intentlyat theoutragedfaceofSanguiniusasifitwouldspeakwiththeprimarch’swisdom.Mephiston’sfootstepsechoedlightlyashecrossedthefloor.TheLordofDeathmovedstealthilyalways,likethepredatorhewas.Firebowlsandcandleslitthespace,castingitscranniesintoreddarkness.Dantewasabeingofliquidflameinhisgold.Thecandlelightmovedonhisarmour,invitingtheChapterMastertojoinitindancesofdestruction.Themovementwasfalse.Danteremainedstill,lostinthoughtuntilMephistonstoppedbeforehim.‘Ihavecome,’saidMephiston.Dante looked up, his ancient face hollowed with worry. ‘Youwill tell me nowwhat you could notbefore.’Mephistonnoddedonce, a slight inclineofhishead. Itwasas if a statuehadmoved, a slightmotioncaughtoutof thecornerof theeye,somundaneagestureyet terrifyingwhenperformedby theLordofDeath.‘Therewasanotherpart tomy initialvision,my lord. Iwent intoahellishkingdomof fire,boneandblood.ThereIsawKa’Bandha.’Thefiresintheroomgutteredandflared,dancingalittleharderatthementionofthatname.Dantenarrowedhiseyessharply.‘YouaresureitwastheAngels’Bane?’‘Yes,mylord.’‘Andwhatwashedoing?’‘Hewasfightinghiswaythroughalegionofblack-skinneddaemons.’‘IsitnotthewayoftheBloodGod’sminionstoalwaysmakewarononeanother?’‘Itis,’saidMephiston.‘Ifthedarkloreistobebelieved.’‘Thenwhatofit?’‘Hewasfightinghiswayout.Avisionofaredangelburnedinthesky.Therewasagapintheworld,arift,beneaththeangelthatopeneduponouruniverse.’‘Youthinkhemeanstocomehere,’saidDante.‘Ido.’‘Butyouarenotsureofthevision’sveracity.’

‘No,mylord.Iwasnot,’saidMephiston.‘ThatiswhyIdelayed.’‘IhaveseennothingoftheAngels’Baneinanyofmyownvisions,’saidDante.Helapsedintothoughtforamoment.‘Yousayyouwerenotcertain.Itakeityouarenow.’‘Yes,’saidMephiston.‘Itwashe.Heiscoming.Ihave…confirmedit.’Dante peeredmore closely at hisChief Librarian, noting, perhaps, the greyness to his alabaster skinbroughtonbythestrainofhisvisittotheoctocalvariaethatmadehimmorelikeacorpsethanever.‘DoIwishtoknowhowthiswasdone?’askedDante.‘Ithinknot,mylord,’saidMephiston.And,intruth,hehadlittleappetiteforrecountinghisjourneyintotheVaults ofMarest. ‘Itwashard, and it costme, but itwas aworthwhile endeavour. I am sure.TheAngels’Banemeanstoattackus,whilealltheChaptersoftheBloodaregathered.Thisisatruth.’‘Canhereturn?’askedDante.‘Hewasnotlongbanishedfromthematerialrealm.’‘There are rules even for the servants of Chaos,’ said Mephiston. ‘The vision of my Librarians isoccluded, and we grow blinder every day. But I can say that beyond the shadow in the warp all ischanging.Thereisanunprecedentedflux.Icannotseepastthedarknessthehivemindcasts,butallrealityholdsitsbreath.Theempyreanispregnantwithportents.IfAbaddon’sBlackCrusadeaffectstheEyeofTerrorasmyvisionsuggested,Ka’Bandhamaymakehiswaythrough.’Dante smiled humourlessly. ‘He attackswhenwe are at our strongest, andyetwhenwe are gatheredtogether,wearealsoatourweakest.’‘ThisgatheringofallthesonsofSanguiniusforthefirsttimeingenerationsistootemptingforhim.Weknowthat theBloodGodcovetsus.OurragedrawstheservantsoftheSkullThronetousassurelyasflies tocorpses. IfKa’Bandhacomes, itcouldbedisastrous.He is the lure to the thirst, thecatalyst tomadness.IfhemanifestswhileweareengagedinthedefenceofBaal,weshallbeatourmostwrathful,ourmostunrestrained.Wewillfall.’‘Itsaysinyourarchives,doesitnot,thattheservantsoftheBloodGodhavetriedandtheyhavefailedmanytimestoswayus.Needthesemonstersberemindedthattherearemanykindsofrage,andthereisnobilityinovercomingthem?’saidDante.‘Wemust resist every single time.He needs to succeed only once,’ saidMephiston. ‘TheNeverbornhaveeternity.Wedonot,andnoteveryChapteroftheBloodhasasmuchrestraintasours.’Dantewastroubled.‘DonotbringyourenmitywithSethintothis,’hesaid.‘Ihavenoenmityagainsthim.Ihavenoenmityagainstanyone.Hisenmityisforme–Ifeelnothingforhim.Ispeakthetruth,mylord,andyouknowit.’Danteshiftedinhischair.Hisarmourscrapedonstone,itsmotiveunitswhining.‘CantheAngels’Banebestopped?’‘Ihonestlydonotknow,’saidMephiston.‘Icantry.Therearecertainritualsthatmaybeattempted.’‘Theyaredarkinnature?’saidDante.‘Ofcourse,’saidMephiston.Dante’sexpressionclouded.AnotherdecisionfortheChapterMastertowrestlewith–alwaysachoicebetweentwoevils.IfMephistonhadbeenclosertohumanity,hewouldhavefeltsympathyforhislord.ForonethousandfivehundredyearsDantehadwatchedtheirbloodlinedescendfurtherintosavagery,andthe Imperiumdrawnearer to itsend.Toallothershewasagoldenangel, theavatarof theEmperor’smostnobleprimarch.Hislegendwasknownthelengthandbreadthofthegalaxy.Hisadvicewassoughtbyall,andhiswarriorsclamouredforoneverybattlefront.Nobodyknewofthedespairbehindthemask.SothoughMephistoncouldnotfeelpityorsorrowforCommanderDante,heremembereddespair,andheunderstoodthedilemmasthatfacedhisleader.‘Whatisyourcounsel,chiefofthelibrarius?’askedDanteeventually.

‘Iwouldattempttostophim,’saidMephiston.‘Iwilldosoonlyifyoudecreeitshallbeso.’‘ThenIorderyoutostophim,’saidDante.‘Nomatterthecost?’Dante’slipsthinned.‘Nomatterthecost.’Mephistonbowedinarustleofsilksandpurringarmourjoints.‘Thenitshallbedone,mylord.’Dantestood.‘Mephiston,tellnooneofthisthatdoesnotneedtoknow.BindyourLibrariansbyoathnottorevealwhatyouwillattempt.IfyourecruitfromtheotherChapters,makethemswearthesame.’DantestaredangrilyintothefaceofSanguinius.‘Thiswarbreedssecretstooreadily.’

CHAPTERTENTHEGREATREDCOUNCIL

TheChapters of theBloodwaited forDante on their feet, as respect demanded.Five hundred exaltedheroesoftheImperiumfilledtheChamberoftheGreatRedCouncil.Theoilsandexhaustsoftheirpowerarmourblendedwiththeincensepouringfromthefirebowls,addingtoitasacredmachinescent.So thehostwasgathered.ThesonsofSanguinius, themostnobleofall theAdeptusAstartes,and themosttroubled.Garbedinbattleplateofblackandred,whiteandgold,adiversityofliverythatcouldnothide theirunityofblood.Fire’swarm illuminationbrought theirappearancescloser. Itmuted thegold,enlivenedtheblack,tintedthewhite,sotheirarmourdidnotappearsodifferent.BloodSwordsstoodbyAngelsNuminous,CharnelGuardandRedWingswaitedwithExsanguinators.ThesavagesoftheCarmineBladesrubbedelbowswithwarrior-scholarsoftheGoldenSons.Thosewhohadembracedtheflawmetwithcounterpartswhodefiedittothepointofdestructivedenial.Ifdividedbycustom,theywereunitedbyblood.Timehadwroughtitschangesontheirtemperamentandtraditions,butunderneath thevariedcoloursof their skinand their tattoos,beneath their esoteric rites,theywerethesame.ThescionsofSanguiniushadcomehome.The blood thralls of their hosts waited on them, serving spiced wines adulterated with vitae. Otherrefreshments were available, from plates of exquisitely prepared food to ritual bleedings, and theblessingsofChaplainsweregivenouttotroubledsoulswishingforsomeofthegraceoftheprimarch.They spoke to one another in hushed tones. A Space Marine must strive heroically to becomeintoxicated, but if itwas in the character of some of those present to try, none did so, thoughBrotherAdaniciohadthrownopenthedoorsoftheChapter’swinecellars,andtherewasenoughdrinktomakeraucousfeast.Restraintreigned.Forallthepageantryofthegatheringitwasfunereal.Afamilygatheringprecipitatedbytragedy.WarriorsfromChapterswhowerevirtuallyunknowntooneanotherconversed,amazedattheirdifferences,unitedbytheirsimilarities,buttalkturnedinexorablyineverymeetingtotheimpendingarrivaloftheLeviathanandtheimpossibletaskahead.Atrumpetsangwithheavenlynotessorefinedallpaused tohear it.Notasinglevoicecontinued,notfromthemostcynicalnorfromthemostaggressive.Firecrackledinthesuddenquiet.Achoirofangelic

voicesswelledover themainentrance from themouthsof thestatuesstandingguard there,andsilencewasbanishedagain.Anancientblood thrall,highranked in the logisticiam,cameinto thehollowcentreof thegreatwhitetable upon a mechanised platform. His natural limbs were withered, so for support he was strappeduprightintotheleggedcarriage.Sevenmetallegstappedandscrapedonthestone,carryinghimwhenhisownlegscouldnot.Aflockofminiaturecyber-angelspassedandswoopedoverhead,addingtheir tinyvoicestothechorusemanatingfromthestatuesbythedoor.The thrall held up a corpse-like hand. Telescopic eyes extended and whirred as they performed asemblance of blinking. The man’s body was wrecked with age, but his voice was clear and pure,preservedbyhismastersforitsbeauty.‘Takeyourplaces,lordsoftheBlood!’Hespokewithoutmusic,andyethisvoicewassofineitsoundedlikesinging.‘LordDantecomes!CommanderofBaal,MasteroftheBloodAngels,KeeperoftheBlood,LordoftheAngelicHost!’‘Dante,Lord ofAngels!Dante,Lord ofBaal!Dante,Lord of the first-born sons!’ sang the chorus ofcyberneticangels.‘Dante!Dante!Dante!’Melodies perfect in their complexity accompanied the exultation of the commander’s titles, while adulcetchantofhismanyvictoriesplayedcounterpoint.Thedoorsflewopen.InstrodeaprocessionofthehighestandthebesttheBloodAngelshadtooffer.The Exalted Herald of Sanguinius, leader of the Sanguinary Guard, Brother Sepharan, led the way.‘Dante is here! All stand for Commander Dante!’ he shouted, though all in the room were standingalready. Behind Sepharan marched the fifteen Sanguinary Guard presently on Baal. In their footstepsfollowed the company captains. Sixwere present, for fourwere atDiamor in battle against the blackfleetsofAbaddon.MachiavioftheThird,CastigonoftheFourth,RaxietaloftheSixth,ZedrenaeloftheEighth,Sendrothof theNinth,andfinallyBorgioof theTenth, themasterofrecruits.Thefleetcaptainswere next, led byAsante, captain of the battle-bargeBlade of Vengeance, walking side by sidewithAsimuthoftheBloodcaller.ThencametheChapterAncientBehelmorcarryingthecoloursoftheBloodAngelsproudlybeforehim,a sacred relicdepictingSanguinius.Theclothof thebannerhadnot fadedsinceitsweavingthousandsofyearsinthepast.OnlyafterBehelmorandthishonourguardofnobleheroesdidCommanderDantehimselfarrive.Tohisright was Brother Corbulo, bearing the Red Grail itself, the very vessel that had caught the dyingSanguinius’ blood.On his leftwasChaplainOrdamael, Paternis Sanguis, second only toAstorath theGrimintheorderoftheReclusiam,carryingAmit’sReliquaryoutoftheBasilicaSanguinarum,whereinthe last feather of the primarchwas kept in permanent stasis. Behind himwalkedMephiston, Lord ofDeath,ChiefofLibrarians,andIncarael,MasteroftheBlade,hugeinhisMartianpriest’sbattlegear,thenBrother Bellerophon, Keeper of the Heavengate, the Blood Angels fleet commander, and at his sideBrotherAdanicio,masterofthelogisticiam.InAdanicio’strainweretheleadersoftheChapter’shumanservants fromeverydivision, scholiasts of the librarius, equerries to theChapter councils, logisticiamadepts,thecaptain-ordinaryofthebloodthrallwarriors,MasterLeeteroftheastropaths,andthosenavi-gatorswhocouldbearthegravityofBaal.Finally therewerechampionsofeachof thecompaniesat thatdateonBaal,allclad inarmourof themostancient sort.These suitshad seen service in theHorusHeresyandwere lovinglydecorated.Thenameofthewarriorwhohadwornthearmourthosemanythousandsofyearsagowasemblazonedupontheir chestplates and helms. The armour waited for days like this, guarded against decay by arcanesciences.TodayitwaswornagaininremembranceofwhotheBloodAngelsoncewere,andtheweaponsof legendaryheroeswereclasped in thehandsof thechampionsalso.After themservitors shepherded

velvetpaddedgrav-sledsbearingotherrelics:theswordValour’sEdge,theplasmapistolFuryofBaal,Gallian’s Staff, theAngel’sWing, theCrownAngelic, sitting easy upon a polished skull, and then theVeritasVitae, themachineblessedenough to record thewordsofSanguiniushimself, then repeat themuponthefieldofbattle.A column of armed blood thralls twenty strong, their small human forms lost in ornate half-poweredcarapacesuits,followedtheirmastersintheirstoriedbattleplateandtherelicsintheirtrain.Behindthemwalked amightyLibrarian-Dreadnought, deckedwith honours, and fourmore of his kind.Lastlywererobedbloodthrallsbearinggoldencensersspillingthemostwonderfullyfragrantsmoke,andfivethrallsin black bearing representations of the Five Virtues, and five in white bearing similar gold objectsdepictingtheFiveGraces.Allabouttheprocessionwasheavenlysinging,andglory,andtheywalkedintotheChamberoftheGreatRedCouncilinablazeofgoldenlight.At the table the procession peeled apart, one streamheading to the right, the other to the left. ThoseBlood Angels granted seats at the table stood behind their appointed places, while the rest went tostationsaroundthehall.ThechampionsandSanguinaryGuardwenttorecessesinthewallstowatchoverthegathering,whilethewarriorthrallsturnedandstampedtheirfeet,forminganavenuefortheirbaselinehumanbrotherstonegotiatebeforetheytoowenttotheirdutiesaboutthehall,whethertoserve,advise,ortoburntheirholysmokesbytheeffigiesofcelebratedheroes.TheChapterLords of theBloodwatched in respectful quiet as themightiest of their numberwent tostandathisplaceatthetable.Theartefactshiscomradescarried–theblood,thefeather,thestandard,theancient armours –were of themost sacred kind to all the Chapters of the Blood, but it wasDante’sgleaming,goldenpresencethatheldalltheirattention.OverDante’s facewas thedeathmaskofSanguinius, therighteousangerof their lordfather frozen ingold,andhisbloodpreservedinthebloodstoneuponDante’sforehead.TheseweremorethansymbolstheBloodAngelsbrought,theyweretangiblelinkstothepastandtheChapters’sharedorigins.CorbulohandedoffthegrailtoathralloftheSanguisCorpusculum.OrdamaelgaveAmit’sReliquarytoa black-robed, tongueless servant of the Reclusiam Citadel. As these human serfs stood behind theirmasters,sodidBrotherBehelmorstandbehindDante’schair.Theflag’ssilkrippledliquidly.Themusicceased.Truesilencefellagain.ThebrothersofascoreofChaptersremainedstandingasDantesurveyedhisallieswithSanguinius’unblinking,shiningeyes.‘Mybrothers!’saidDante,hispronouncementstartlinginthesepulchralquiet.‘TheseartefactsthatmywarriorsandtheirservantsbeardatebacktothetimeofHorus’greatbetrayalofourbelovedEmperor.Theserelicshere,thesesuitsofarmour,theseweaponsmybrotherscarry,datefromthemostterriblewarinourhistory.Andthese,’hepointedtotheRedGrailandtoAmit’sReliquary.‘Theyborewitnesstoourlord’sdeath,forbotharevesselsforhismortalremains.NogreatershockhavetheChaptersoftheBloodexperienced thanwhen our lord fell to the blades of his hateful brother, notwhen our forebearsweresunderedfromoneanother’scompany,notinthosetimeswhenourChaptershavefacedannihilation,asmyownhasthreetimeswithinthespanofmylife.Sanguinius’lossechoestothisdayinallofus.Itisapainthatisimmortal.‘Yet those times passed, no matter how dark they appeared. Through the sacrifice of our lord, theEmperorwastriumphant,andorderwasrestored.FromthisIdrawhope.’Hepaused.Noonespoke.‘Ihavelivedalongtime.IhaveseenthingsIthoughtnevertosee.EverycenturyIsurvivepresentsanewhorror to testour Imperium. Ihave seen theNecronsawaken. Ihavewitnessed theTauemerge. Iwastherewhenthehivefleetsfirstcameoutoftheintergalacticvoidtopreyupontheworldsofourspecies.IhavefoughtGhazgkhull,thegreatbeastoftheOrks,uponthethrice-damnedworldofArmageddon.IhaveseenChaptersfall. Ihaveseenworldsdie.Ihaveseentheflowerof theImperium’smartialmight laid

lowbytheperfidyoftraitors.Ihaveseentheambitionofvainmendelivertheinnocentintotheobscenehungersoftheendlessdark.’TheglowingeyesofSanguinius’masksweptoverthecrowdofwarriors.‘Ihaveseenall this.Ihavefacedeverymannerofenemy,andIhaveslainthemall!’hesaid,hisvoicerising.‘TheImperiumstands!WearetheAngelsofDeath,theEmperor’sappointedchampions.Wearethelordsofbattle,thebringersofvengeance.WearethesonsofSanguinius,theredlineofbloodwhichnoneshallpass.’Heplacedhishandsonthetable,andleanedforward.‘Whatistocomewilltestyou.Youwilllooktotheskyinsearchofthestarsandyouwillnotseethem.Thetyranidswarmswillblockouttheirlight.Youwillmarvelatthenumberofcreaturestheyshalllandupontheseworlds,andyouwilldoubtitshalleverend.YoushallspeakwithyourpsykersandyourLibrarians,andtheywilltellyouoftheshadowthatblindsandpainsallthosewholookintothewarp.Youshallseeallthis,andyoushallbelievethatwecannotprevail.ButItell you this – prevailwe shall!’ he shouted. ‘By blade, bolt, plasma and las-beamwe shall cut themdown.Bythestrengthofourbloodwillwethrowthemback.Weshallmakeavirtueofourcurse,andreleasetheunboundedsavageryofSanguiniusuponthesetrespassers.Wewilldothisbecauseitmustbedone.Wewilldothisbecausetherearenootherstodoit.HiveFleetLeviathancomesagainstuswithagreatportionofitsstrength.IftheseworldsofBaalfall,thewholeofUltimaSegmentumwillbeopentoitsswarms.Thehivefleetswillpournorth,devouringeverythingintheirpath,andtheImperiumwillbedealtagrievousblow.’Heslammedhisfistdownontotheperfectnewmarbleofthetable,crackingitssurface.‘Thisshallnotbeso!Thiswillbeavictorywheretherehavebeenonlydefeats.Here,onBaal,theLeviathanshalldie!’Hisshoutresoundedaroundthechamber.Hedrewinadeep,raggedbreath.Hisfuryaffectedallthosenear to him, and, as their thirst awoke, it provoked that in others further still, and so the red rage ofSanguinius radiated out fromCommanderDante like slow ripples in a pool of blood, until all felt itstouch,andtheurgetodobattlegrewkeeninthetwinheartsofthewarriorsinthehall.‘TheImperiumwillendure,’growledDante.‘BythebloodofSanguiniusthatIbearuponmybrowandthatIcarryinmyveins,Iswearitshallbeso.’Hesatheavily.Silenceheldforamoment,andbrokesuddenly.‘Dante!’screamedsomeone.Hiscrywastakenup.‘Dante!Dante!Dante!’theSpaceMarinesshouted,rawandraging,soverydifferenttothepureangelicsingingthathadusheredthecommanderin.‘Dante!Dante!Dante!’ they roared.Theyeachbeatone fistupon theirchestplates, filling thechamberwith theraucousclashofmetal.‘Dante!Dante!Dante!’Therewerewarriorsinthehallwhofelttheirrageburnhotandcrimson,andstruggledtocontainthemselves,sogreatwastheoutpouringofemotioninthatplace.Danteheldupahand.BehelmorslammeddownthestaffoftheChapterbanner.Thesharpcrackofmetalonstonebrokethroughtheapplauselikeastonethroughice.‘Iprayforyourindulgencealittlewhilelonger,’saidDante.Quietreturned.‘AndIbidyousit.’Astrangechorussang, thewhineandscrapeof fivehundredsuitsofpowerarmour lowered intofivehundredstonechairs.‘Firstly,I thankyouallforrespondingtoourcallforaidinthisdarkesthour,’Dantesaid.‘LoyaltytoSanguinius’ home is admirable but not demanded of our bloodline. I am gratified and humbled by thenumbersyouandyourshavebroughttothedefenceofthissystem.NeversincethebreakingoftheLegionshave somanyofourkindbeenpresent inoneplaceatone time.’He lookedaround the roomgravely.‘However,thescaleofthisAngelicHostbringsitsownproblems.Everyoneofusinthisroomisalordamong angels. We are the masters of the Chapters of the Blood. Each one of us bears greatresponsibilities, be it for a hundredmen, a fleet, or a systemofworlds.We are equals, youLords ofBloodandI,andsothereisamatterthatmustbesettled,aquestionthatmustbeasked.’Hepaused.The

wordswereimportant.Theymustbeputwell.‘ThequestionIwouldaskofyouisoneofcommand,’saidDante.‘YoumaythinkthatIwouldtaketheleadwithoutyourexplicitapproval.Iwouldneverpresumetodoso.IaskinsteadthatyoupermitmetoleadthedefenceofBaalandinanymilitaryactionthatmightberequiredtobreakthehivefleetthereafter,thatyousubmityourwarriorsandyourselvestomycommandalone,andthatyoushallsweartodomybiddingnomatterthecostorhowmuchyoumaydisagreewithmycourseofaction.’Quietagain.Awarrior inblackandgoldstood fromhischair.Aswift-movingservo-skullwent tohoveroverhishead,bathinghiminasoftlumenglow.‘CaptainCantaroftheGoldenSons,’itsaid.‘KeeperoftheWheel,SlayerofDanraneoftheFifteenthPath,BloodlordofKathoi,ExterminatoroftheSkaal.’Cantarlettheheraldskullsayitspiece.Inthelighttheskinofhisbareheadwasadeep,nutbrownoflustroushue,andhishairwastightlyplaitedandgatheredintoashortbraidattheback.Goldentattoosglimmeredinthelight.‘Iambutsecondcaptain,nomasteramI,’hesaid.‘Iwassentherewithmyownwarriors and twohalf companiesofmybrother-captains at the commandofmyChapterMasterErdenCleeve.Hegavemeexpressorderstofollowyourwilltotheletter.Youneednotaskifweshallfollowyou,CommanderDante.’Hebangedhis fistuponhischest, thenmade thesignof theaquila. ‘IhearatArmageddonthegeneralsoftheImperiumappointedyouaslordcommander,buttheydebatedfirst.Thereisnoneedforthathere,youareamongyourkin.Youareourlord.’Hebowedhishead,andsat.Acheerwentuparoundtheroom.‘Mythanksforyourwords,brother,’saidDante.‘ButtherewillbewarriorsherewhoperhapsthinktheyshouldhaveultimatesayinthedeploymentoftheirChapters,asisonlyright.Ibelievethatonlyinunityshallweprevail.IcannotproceeduntilIamassuredthatmyorderswillbeobeyedbyall.Ourlives,ourvictory,dependuponit.’Anotherwarriorstood,thisonehelmedandinparticolouredarmourofblackandred.Theheraldskull’slightlitgorgeouslyworkedtrim.Uponhisshoulderawingedskullglaredoutimperiously.‘Castellan Zargo, Chapter Master of the Angels Encarmine, Fleetlord, Far-Wanderer, Master of theGloriedReach.‘We of theAngels Encarmine commit ourselveswholly to your cause.’ Through his helm emitter hisvoicewashardandrasping.‘Iamsuretherearemanymoreherewhowouldagree.IfeelIcanvouchforthesentimentsofChapterMasterSeth.ThoughwehavehadourdifferencesIamsureweareofmindonthismatter.ChapterMasterGlorian,andChapterMasterVoitek,amongothersalso.Isthereneedforthis,Dante?YouarethegreatherooftheImperium.Yournameandexploitsareknowntoallofus,eventhosewhohaveneverbeenwithinathousandlightyearsofBaalbefore.’‘Aye!Aye!’menshouted.‘Itistrue!’‘Letusbeaboutthiswar,withoutthischarade.YoubearthebloodofSanguiniusonyourforehead,’saidawarriorinsombregrey.‘Paracelius,FirstCaptain,CharnelGuard,GiveroftheBones,nineteenthofthetitle,’saidtheskull.‘YouwearSanguinius’maskonyourface.Weshallallfollowyou,’Paraceliussaid.‘Yet I am not Sanguinius,’ said Dante. ‘You all must understand this. I have achievedmuch, but mylegendisdifferenttomystory.Iamonlyawarrior,likeyou.Knowthis.KnowalsothatthiswarmaybethedoomofyourChapters.Iwillcommandonlybyconsent,andnotbysomesupposedright.ForwhobuttheEmperorcouldconferthatonme?ThereforeinHisabsence,Imustaskmypeersfortheirapproval.’‘Sowewilldie!’shoutedacaptainoftheBloodSwords,surgingtohisfeettooquicklyfortheheraldtoreachhimandcallouthisname.‘Whatofit?ForwhatotherreasondidtheEmperorcreateusthantodie

inbattleperformingservicetoHim?Ifourdeathswillaidvictory,thensobeit!Lifeisfleeting,thebloodiseternal.Wefightnotforourselves,butforourgenelineandtheImperium.’‘Hear,hear!’shoutedseveralwarriors.Gauntletsbangedthunderouslyonthetable.‘Danteshallleadus!’criedsomeone.‘Dante!Dante!’Dantestilledthenoisewitharaisedhand.‘Ifyouaresoeagerformetocommandyou,thenheedthisfirstorder,’saidDante.‘Vote.’‘Aye!Verywell,weshallvote!’shoutedahelmetlessChapterMasterinrichwhiteandredarmour.‘LordFollordark,ChapterMasterof theAngelsExcelsis, theVoidSword,MasterofUtrech,’saidtheskullherald.‘AndIshallsweartobeboundbyyourcommandshouldmybrothersinarmsherevoteyes!’Follordarkshouted.Hiseyeswerewildandbloodshot.Spittleflewfromhislips.Hehelduphishandsandturnedaroundsothatallcouldseehim.‘But,’hesaid,hisvoicedropping,‘shouldthevoteproveagainstyou,LordoftheHosts,thenIshallcommandmyownmeninthemannerofmychoosing.Andthatwillbetofollowyou!’Danteinclinedhisheadinacknowledgement.‘AllIaskisthatyouvote.Thevotewillbedonesimplyandquickly.WhenmyMasterofCeremonyasksthatyoucastyourlots,standifyoufavourmycommandofthisdefenceandsubsequentactionsnecessarytobreakLeviathan.Remainseatedifyouwishtooperateindependently. I remind you that all of you in here are bound to honour the outcome, no matter yourpreference.’Thewarriorsspokewitheachotherthen,eitherfororagainst.Themotionofimpassionedgesturesmadedraughtsintheroomthatstirredthefireslightingthegathering.Dante nodded to hisMaster ofCeremony.The oldman piloted his conveyance into the centre of thetable, the thickmetal cables runningdownhisback linkinghisbrainwith itsmotive systemsgleamingorangegold.‘Mylords!’hesaidinhisincongruouslybeautifulvoice.‘Weaskyoutobesilent!Weshallnowvoteonthematter,thefirsttobeputtotheGreatRedCounciloftheAngelicHost.’Conversation dropped away reluctantly.Warriorswho had stood sat again so as not to pre-empt theresult.‘Vote!’calledtheMasterofCeremony.Thehallreverberatedtothesoundofhundredsofarmouredgiantsgettingto theirfeet.Thegrowlandwhineofarmour jointsworking inunison filled thespace, so that it sounded likeamechanicaldragonstirringinitslair.Servo-skullssweptover thesilentcrowd.Fromtheceilingaroboticangeldescended, loweredbyanarmature. Itspreaduselessmetalwings.Red lightburnedfiercely in itssoullessmetal face.Fine laserspreadscannedupanddownthevotingSpaceMarinesastheangelturnedinaslowcircle.Therewereahandfulofwarriorswhoremaineddefiantlyseated,andof themonly twowereChapterMasters. Commander Dante’s reputation was such that very few of them would not follow him. Themajorityintheroomwerevariouslysurprisedandannoyedthatheaskedatall.MostofthecaptainsthatremainedseateddidsoonprincipletohonourtheCodexAstartescommandmentthatnolord,nomatterhowgreat,shouldcommandmorethanathousandSpaceMarines.OnlyacouplewerearrogantenoughtobelievetheycoulddobetterthantheMasteroftheBloodAngels.Theangelfinisheditscount.Itsmetaleyesshutwithaclick,anditswingsfolded.TheMaster ofCeremony closedhis eyes, communingvia data pulsewith themachineries of theArxAngelicum.

‘InfavourofCommanderDantecommandingthedefenceofBaal,fourhundredandseventy-six.Against,twenty-four.’Deafeningcheersandapplauserippedthroughthechamber.Dantestood,andshouted into the tumult. ‘Then it isdecided. Ishallcommandyouas ifyouweremyownuntil this conflict is doneandBaal is saved!Until that time, Iwill treatyouwith thehonour andrespectIaccordmyownwarriors,andmeteout thesamepunishments to thosewhodefymywill.Anywhodonot agreemay leave.This isyour last chance.Gowithout rancour, andbecountedamongourbrothersstill.’The applause petered out. Dante’s glowing eyes lit upon the last seated warriors. Not one of themmoved.‘Verywell,’saidDantewithacurtnod.‘Towar.’‘Soitshallbe!’criedoutacaptainoftheBloodDrinkers.‘Dante!Dante!Dante!’theshoutbeganagain.OncemoretheancientheartoftheArxAngelicumrockedtotheshoutednameofitsMaster.‘Enough!’ commanded Dante, and all fell silent. ‘We shall turn now to the matter at hand – thedestructionofHiveFleetLeviathan.’Ahololithactivated,addingitsgentlethrumtotheroom’snoises.Ribbonprojectorsconcealedincarvedangelsupontheceilingpaintedaglowingstarmapwhosesidesbrushedtheedgesofthetable’sinterior.Asectionof theUltimaSegmentumfloated in space,perfect ineverydetail.Across its centrewas thebroad, bloody brushstroke of theRedScar.Balor glowed off centre. The twin-starredCryptus systemburnedtothegalacticsouthwest.ThereweremanystarsintheScar,andallwerered,whethertheywerelonewanderersintheRedWilderness,ortightlypackedinthestellarnurseriesthatcrampedthesouthernObscuraVeil.ThecartolithshowedspacearoundtheScartoo,andawayfromtheluridglowthenormsofspace reasserted themselves. The Scar was relatively sparsely inhabited, but outside the Scar weremillionsofsystems,hundredsofthemImperial,allatrisk.Onceestablished, the illusionof spacewas total.For a fewseconds theChaptersof theBloodwerewarriorgodspeeringdownfromtheircelestialpalaceatthemortalrealm.Aflickerandaninfluxofdatabanishedtheeffect.Signifiersanddatascreedsprangupalloverthemap.Firstcamethesystemnames,unrollingthemselvesinmultitudesoverthepointsofersatzstarlight.MostwerenomorethanastringofOrdoAstraastrogationnumbers,remindingthemallofhowthinlyspreadtheImperiumwas.Starsystemsoccupiedbyhumanitygaineddatascreedthatscrolleddownautomatically,detailingtheirworldsclosely:populations, exports, tithe grades and all the other macro-grade information the Imperium’s slowbureaucracyneededinordertofunction.Thestatisticsinthescreedswerefromthetopofapyramidofdata;evenso,allexceptthemostgeneralwouldbeoutofdate.System orbital marks, stellar progression tracks, zone delimits, borders, highlighted phenomena andimportantoutpostsclutteredthemapfurther.Itbecamebusy.Still,foranothersecond,theSpaceMarineslookeduponapristinemapofhumanity’sempireinthatsector,annotatedwithabureaucrat’sdiligence.Order and purity were as much an illusion as the hololith of the void. A further flicker brought thewatchingwarriorsclosertothetruth.CogitatorsoverlaidtheprogressofHiveFleetLeviathanoverallthebusydataofthecartolith.Ashadowwasengulfingthestars,multipletendrilsextendingalongattackvectorsfrombeneaththegalacticplane.Theymovedinunison,closinglikeaslow-motionvidreplayofsomemonstrous, aquatic beast snaring its prey. Though at first regard the tendrils appeared separate,splinters in the parlance of the age, all led back to the unknowable totality of the hivemind. As themonstermoved,thegalaxydied.Beneaththeslowlyquestingtentaclesstarsignifiers,Imperialandnon-Imperialboth,flashedanangryredandgreyedout.

‘BeholdHive Fleet Leviathan,’ saidCommanderDante, his out-flung arm encompassing thewrithingtentacles.‘Ithasbeenonthisheadingfordecades,consumingallinitspath.Thissimulationisspedupbyafactorofseveralthousand.Asyouwatchyouwillseeitconsumeworldafterworld,althoughinrealitythese planet deaths were months or years apart. Its progress is slow by our standards. By somemechanismthetyranidsareabletoviolatenaturallawandexceedthespeedoflightsomewhat,butasfarasweknow the fleetscannot traverse thewarp.Over the last fewdecades thishasofferedusa smallstrategic advantage, aswehave been able to respondmore quickly than it has.Nevertheless, I cannotclaimanysortofvictory.Wehavedoneourpartinattemptingtostopthehivefleet,butindoingsohavediscovered that it couldnotbe stopped. It is toovast, andgrowingbigger.Everyworlddevouredhasstrengtheneditinnumberandvariety.ForgivemeifIprovideknowledgeyoualreadypossess.ThereareseveralChaptersherewhohavewarredvaliantlyagainst theGreatDevourer,butnotallofyouhave.’Dante paused. ‘We have fought Leviathan many times now, and we have come to new, disturbingconclusions.’Asmallerscalemapsprangintobeing,separatedfromthegreaterinaglowingwireframerectangle.Itdisplayedtwoalternatecoursesforthehivefleet,onelighterthantheother.‘From the data we have gathered from the Ordo Astra and which has been provided to us by theInquisitionandotheradepta,webelievethisdarkercoursetohavebeenLeviathan’soriginaltrajectory,’saidDante.‘SeehowitlookedtobeavoidingtheRedScaruntilthissharpturningtothegalacticnorth,twelveyearsago.TheRedScarisapoisonousareaofspace.Thehivefleets,asarule,seemtobedrawntorichworlds,thosepopulousorwithintactnaturalsystems.Theyfavoursectorswithhighdensitiesofsuchplanets, and avoidperilous areas of space.But in this case thehive fleet appears to be forgoingrichersectors in favourofa strategicgoal.Webelieve that it isactivelyseeking thedestructionof theBloodAngelsChapter.’Ahubbubaroseatthesewords.‘Thatisimpossible,CommanderDante.’‘LordMalphas,ChapterMasteroftheExsanguinators,’blurtedtheheraldskull.‘We have fought against these creatures before. They appear cunning, but they have as much self-determinationasacolonyofsteelmites.Theyareanimals,theydonotbeargrudges.’‘Techial,ChapterMasteroftheDisciplesofBlood,’saidtheservo-skull.‘Thenwhy,twelveyearsago,didLeviathanalteritscourse,andbegintoheaddirectlyforBaal?’saidanother.Theskull’sannouncementwentunheardasvoicesclamouredatDante.SpaceMarinesarguedwitheachother.‘Mybrothers!’ shoutedDante. ‘Scaraban, theChiefLibrarianof theFleshEatershas investedagreatdealoftimeintoinvestigatingthisindependentlyofourChapter.Listentohim,thenjudge.’Scarabanlefthisseatandwentthroughagapinthetableintothehololithatthecentreoftheroom.Ashetalked,hestrodethroughthestarslikeacelestialbeing.Hisforcestaffglimmeredwithunearthlypower,asifhecouldnotquiteseparatehimselffromthewarp.‘We in the Imperium see the tyranids as a collection of creatures linked together through psychicinterface,’hesaid.‘Itisanunderstandablemisconception.Wecomparethethingswefighttootherfoes.In thiscase,comparisonbegets false truths.There isnothing like this raceofbeasts in thisgalaxy,andthereforenothingtoaccuratelycomparethemwith.Wefaceheavingmassesofcreatures,andseearmiesofindividuals.Weobservethehigherformsappearingtomakedecisionsanddirectingthelesser,andseeofficersorslavemasters.The tyranidsappearasa race likeanyother,one thathas incorporatedmanyspeciesintoitsgeneticmemory,andthatemploysradicalgene-engineeringandpsychicslavery.Thisisthelogicalinterpretation.Itisalsowrong.ThetyranidsarewinningtheirwarbecausetheImperiumhas

beenblindtotheir,orIshouldmorecorrectlysay,itstruenature.’‘Youknowthetruthofitsbeing?’‘ChapterMasterGeronoftheAngelsNuminous,’saidtheskull.Itsgravitymotorgrowledwitheffortasitflewbackandforthacrosstheroom.‘Ididnotdiscoverit,’saidScaraban.‘Thishypothesisisbutoneofseveraltheoriesadvanced,butithasthemeritofbeingtrue.Ihaveseenit.’Doubtfultalkstruckup.‘Nopsykercanlookintotheshadowwithoutgoinginsane,AdeptusAstartesornot!’‘Seutona,fifthcaptain,AngelsofLight.’‘Ihave,’saidScaraban.‘Ihearrumoursthatyouconsortwithdecadentaeldaritofurtheryourknowledge!’saidSeutonahotly.‘IfIhave,itistothebenefitofall,’saidScaraban.‘AeldaridestroyedtheThirdCompanyofmyChapternotfouryearsago,theycannotbetrusted!’‘Silence!’warnedDante.Socommandingwashisvoice thebrewingargumentwasquashed instantly.‘Therewillbenodissent.Noairingofgrievances.Donotdotheenemy’sworkforhim.’‘Ihaveseenittoo.Scarabanspeaksthetruth.’Mephistonrosefromhischair.Hiseyesglowedblue,andonwingsofscarletenergyheflewovertheheadsofhispeersandlandedinthecentreofthemap,hisdeathlypaleskinlitbythedancinglightofdisturbedhololithicstarsystems.DarkmuttersgreetedtheLordofDeath’sintervention.‘I have looked into the shadow in the warp and seen the thing that casts it,’ saidMephiston. ‘Whatassailsourgalaxyisnotanarmyofindividuals,orevenacolonyofsocialanimalsworkingasone,butasingle creature, a monstrous foe of inconceivable dimensions. Scaraban is correct. We have ourperceptionofthispredatorbacktofront.Itisnotasitappears,ahostofcreatureslinkedpsychically,itcaninsteadbeseenasasingle,massive psychicpresence:asinglemind.Thesemonstersthatattackusgenerate it, theymake itasamanmakeshissoul,butwhereasoursare individual, theirs issingular,asinglepredator,notmany.’‘Andwhentheyattackeachother?’saidMalphas.‘Perhapsthehivefleetsaredifferentbeings,onemindforeach.Perhapstheyareallultimatelyone.Wecannotsayforsure.Thetyranidsareutterlyalien.Butweknowthehivemindisreal.Thisintelligenceisemergent,comingfromthebillionsofcreaturesintheswarms,butitisnotanemptyintellect,itisaware.Ithasasoul.’‘Yousaythenthisbeingisawarpentity,bornoftheimmaterium?’askedaLibrarian.‘InourlibrariuswehavetheoriseditisbutanotherthingofChaoswearingxenosskin.’‘CodicierLaertamos,BrothersoftheRed,’theheraldskullannounced.Scarabanshookhishead.‘Iamsureitsoriginsareinthisrealmofbeing.Wearenotaloneinholdingthisopinionof itsnature.The reportsof InquisitorKryptmann,others in the Inquisitionand theMagosBiologis suggest so, at least those that support this interpretation. Perhaps what we are seeing is acreature part-way to spiritual transcendence, a gestaltmade of theminds of billions of brute animalstrappedhalfinandhalfoutofthewarpbyunendinghunger?’‘Yousuggestwefightagod?’scoffedaSpaceMarineofcadaverousappearance.Hiseyesweresunkeninskinthatlookeddryasdust.‘Carnifus,thirdcaptain,BloodDrinkers.’‘Isthereabetterwordforsuchathing?’saidMephiston.‘Blasphemy,’mutteredCarnifus.‘Thenshouldwenottakethefighttoitpsychically?Destroythemindandthebodieswillfollow.’

‘Dammanes,seventhcaptain,BrothersoftheRed,’saidtheheraldskull.‘We cannot fight it in thewarp,mybrothers. Its presence there is so overwhelming that theEmperorhimself would not prevail,’ said Dante. ‘When these things are separated from their mind, as hashappened inmywarsagainst them,be itbypsychicorphysicalmeans, they remainalive, andsavage,withawillandintelligenceoftheirowntofallbackonuntiltheyareenslavedagain.TheLeviathanmustbekilledintheflesh,thenthemindwilldie,forthemindisgeneratedbythecreaturesitguides.Itisathingofthisworldthatishalfinthenext.Thatisitsweakness.Itscreaturesseemendless,butkillenoughofthem,andthehivemindisweakened.Killallofthem,anditisover.’‘Butthenitwillnotdieuntileverylastoneofitsvilespawnisdestroyed!’‘Ares,ninthcaptain,RedWings.’Dantewaitedfortheechoesoftheservo-skull’sannouncementtoend.‘Thenitshallbemadetorecoil,asthemonstersofthenightoncefledbeforefireinmankind’sprimitivepast.Eitheritwillflee,oritwilldie.AslongasBaalsurvives,Icarenot.Mybrothers,’hesaid.‘TheRedScarislifeless.WiththeSatyssystemlostandallstocksofitselixirsexhausted,theredworldsarebeingabandoned.WithouttheSatryxelixir,most are uninhabitable.Where this is yet to happen, I have taken action.Thoseworlds that thetyranidshavenot strippedalreadyaredeadbymyhand.Theywill find theRedScar emptyof allbutashes.’Dante’svoicequietened.Heregardedhimselfasthedefenderofhumanity.Orderingexterminatusonfortyinhabitedworldssatillwithhim.Wordsofaffirmationcamefromthosecaptainsandmasterswhohadbeenonthesemissions.‘Thetyranidswillfindnothingtosustainthem,’saidDante.‘Ifwestopthemhere,wecanturnthembackfromthepopulousworldstothenorthandeast.IfwedrivethemfromtherampartsoftheArxAngelicum,weshalltraptheLeviathanintheRedScar,watchitstarve,anddestroyitatourleisure.’Deafeningcheerserupted.Handshammeredonthetableuntilitshook.Whentheapplausesubsided,Dantesetouthisplans.

CHAPTERELEVENSEALEDINBLOOD

Gabriel Seth made his way along the lower walls of the Arx. Even among so many of Sanguinius’bloodline, therewas nomistaking theChapterMaster of the FleshTearers.Hewas an immenseman,tallerthanmostSpaceMarinesbyahead,hisblockyfacesosetwithangeritappearedtobeastudyinfurycarvedfromgranite.Toamortalhewasagiantcladinbrutalblackandclottedred.Tohisbloodkinhewasaliability,afuriousmonstermorelikelytokillhisalliesthanaidthem.Thereputationwasnotentirelydeserved.GabrielSethwascursedwithdarkcelebrity.SethcrossedtheBoneWalkbelowtheSanguisCorpusculuminshadow,thesunbeingonthefarsideofthegreattower.Polishedskullsstaredupathimfrombeneathaprotectivecoatingoftransparisteel.Hehad thewalk to himself. Few scions of Sanguinius had business on thewalls, for allwere busywithpreparationsforthecomingwar,asSethhimselfwouldhavebeenhadDantenotsummonedhim.Whentheydidventuretotheheights,theupperlevelsoftheArxMuruswerepreferredbyhiscousins.TheviewfromthelowerterracesoftheAngelicHostwaspoorer.Sethlookedoutatthehostdismissively.WheresomemightseeunbridledImperialmight,hesawweakness.AllthewarriorssufferedfromtheflawlikehisownChapterdid,yetinthemaintheydeniedwhattheywere.TheywerenotworthytocarrythebloodofSanguiniusintheirveins.AmournfulcryfromtheTowerofAmareoseemedinagreementwithhisopinion.Theemptysocketsof theskullswatchedhimwithoutsight.Theeyesofpassingservitorswerejustasblindintheirownway,andthecyborgswentbywithoutacknowledgement.Theirreworkedmindsweretoofocusedtofearhim.Sethwelcomedtheopportunitytothink,unbotheredbythereactionsofotherstohispresence.Hisownreputationhadgrown,buthisChapterwasstillmistrustedbytheotherChaptersoftheBlood.Toomanyofthemthoughtthemselvesabovehisbrethren,andthosethatknewtheywerenotweremiredintheirownmisery.OnlyahandfuloftheSanguinaryBrotherhoodwereregardedwithmorecautionthantheFleshTearers.Sethwasuntroubled.Theirsuspicionwasjustified,atleastinpart,forhisChapterwassavage.Servicewasitsowncomfort.Herebuffedsympathyasstronglyashedidchallengestohisauthority.Therewasnosalvationforhiskind,therewasonlywar,andwrathwasausefultoolinitsprosecution.

Seth rounded the flank of the Sanguis Corpusculum into weakening sunlight. The ivory sides of theSanguinaryTowershonepinkasnewlyexposedbone.Anotherdaywasending.HalfofBalorwaslostbehindthehorizon.ThesilhouetteofBaalPrimushadtakenalargebiteofthepartthatremained.ThelastwarriorsofSeth’sChapterwereon themoon.Hewasannoyedatbeingcalledawayfromthemat thisdelicatetimeofpreparation.Hisplacewasattheirside.AfterthebetrayalonNekkaris,andtheattemptonhislifefromwithintheFleshTearers’ownranks,someofhiswarriorsstillneededwatching.Dantehad requestedhispresenceat the second landingcolumnof theSanguisCorpusculum.The sitecameintoview,haloedbythesun,butthecolumnanditslandingpadwereoutofsight,retractedtothelowestpositionahundredfeetbelow.WhenthepadwasatitsmediumelevationitwaspossibletowalkfromtheBoneWalkontotheplatform.Whenatthebottomofitsrangetherewasasheer,unguardeddrop.WheretheBoneWalkbentaroundthepad, turning intoaconcavity in thesideof the tower, stoodasoleSanguinaryGuard.Sethapproachedhim. Thewarriorwatched. Theywere so poised, the first born of Sanguinius.His own honour guardwouldhaveleaptforwardlikechaineddogsinchallenge.Sethweighedtheprowessoftheguard;therewasmuchhecouldtellinhowawarriorstood.Hecouldhavekilledhim,ofcourse.Thevisionofhimselfdoingjustthatflickeredthroughhismind.Ablowtothechesttodisruptpowerflowtotheguard’sjumppack,afollowuptothethroat.Itwouldnotbeenough,butitwouldbethestartofaworthychallenge.Hismusclestensedinanticipationofviolence.Uponhisstonyfacetherewasnochange.‘Greetings,Master Seth,’ said the SanguinaryGuard. ‘Our lordDante speakswith Sanguinary PriestAlbinus.Hesendshisapologies,andbidsyouwaitherewithme.’Theguard’shandshiftedonthehiltofhisencarminesword.Seth’slipcurleddismissively.HewonderediftheguardwasoneofthoseBloodAngelsthathatedhisChapter.Dantetriedtohideitfromhim,butthehatredmanyofhiswarriorsheldfortheFleshTearerswasobviousandinsulting.‘Dantecalledforme,’saidSeth.‘Becivil.’Hiswordsweremeasured,imbuedwithacalmthathehadspentacenturyperfecting.Itwasacrustuponseethinglava.Alwayshewasreadytounleashhisfury.Hetook in all detail aroundhim, noted every threat.At the far end of thewalkwas a secondSanguinaryGuard. Another watched on from an aperture in the tower’s side above. Something important washappeningthere.‘Imeannooffence,my lord,’ said theguard,andSeth thoughtperhapshedidnot. ‘MybrothersandIhavebeenaskedtodetainyouonlyuntilthecommanderisfinished.’‘ThenIwillwait,’saidSeth.Hespokeneutrally.Hekepthispronouncementstothepointincasetheyturnedtounintendedthreat.The golden-armoured guard inclined his head. ‘I thank you on behalf of Lord Dante for yourunderstanding.Onceagain,Iapologiseforthedelay.’Sethglaredamomentattheguard.TheguardreturnedhisstareandSethhalfsmiledinacknowledgementofhisbravery.Gruntingdismissively,theFleshTearerwenttotheedgeoftheBoneWalktolookdownattheloweredpad. Light spilled from the open hangar of the Sanguinary Tower, the main part of the SanguisCorpusculum,cross-hatching the longshadows teasedoutby thesettingsun.Softyellow light layoverpink.Fromhispositionhecouldnotseeinsidethecomplex.TenscoutsformedacordonaroundaThunderhawkgunship.Theneophytesof theBloodAngelswereforcegrowntomaturityinthespaceofasingleyear,andtheyoungwarriorshadtheirfullsizeandsuiteofgifts.Theirblackcarapacesshouldnothavebeenimplanted,asitwastheBloodAngels’customtogiftthecarapaceonlyatthecloseoftraining.InthissingleregardtheyconformedwithotherChapters.Seth’s

enhancedsightsawscabbingonthescouts’fatigues,themarksofrecentwoundswhichcorrespondedtothepositionsofneuralinterfaceports,andrisingfromthemhescentedsurgicalgelsandbloodheavywithLarramancells.Hewatched them like a lionwaitsoutside the caveofprimitivemen.Theywere toys athis feet.Hecalculatedthebestwaytojumpdown,themostefficientwayofkillingthem.Sanguinius’wrathstirredinhisbreast,urginghimtodoit.Asittormentedhim,hetaunteditinreplybyhisinaction.AtrioofSanguinarypriestsandwhite-robedthrallsstoodtothesideoftheThunderhawk’sopenprowramp,ademi-squadofbattle-brothersattheirbacks.CommanderDantewasspeakingwiththem,althoughSethcouldnothearwhattheysaid.AlineoftrackedservitorstrundleduptothebaseoftheThunderhawk’srearramp,aswellorderedasants. They lowered grey pallets to the ground at the foot of the ramp, turned one hundred and eightydegreesandwentaway.Containerscovered inmethalonfrostwereremovedfromthepalletsbybloodthralls wearing insulated suits. From there they carried the cargo on small grav-sleds into theThunderhawk’shold.Themenwentinandcameoutagain,theservitorsarrivedanddepositedtheirloads,twoloopsmeetingbutnevertouching.HesawtherelationshipbetweenhisChapterandtheBloodAngelsdescribedintheirtoil.Entitiesworldsapartyetderivedfromthesamesource,theirendlesslabourstoacommonend.Hesnortedinharshlaughterathimself.Dantewasgettingtohim.ATechmarinedodgedhiswaypasttheloadersandintothecraft.SoonafterwardstheThunderhawk’sjetcovers petalled open and began preflight testing, cycling up and downwithwhining roars.Heat hazeshimmeredaroundtheexhaust.Theservitorsbroughtoutthelastofthecontainers.Theydroveawayintothehangaranddidnotreturn.Thelastpalletwasunloaded.Mostofthethrallsleftandreturnedinsidealso.Dantereachedoutahandandplaceditontheleadpriest’spauldron.SethassumedthiswasAlbinus.Seth could not see what Dante said to Albinus, but the Sanguinary priest fell to his knees, claspedDante’sgolden-cladhandandpressedittohislipswithhisheadbowed.Hismensalutedandboardedthecraft.Albinusgotup,embracedhislord,tookhishelmetfromathrallandfollowedhiswarriorsintotheholdoftheThunderhawk.Aklaxonhonked,drowningouttheambientnoiseofthehost’spreparationsforwarinthedesert.Giantenginesengagedunderthelandingpad.Groundcrewunhookedfuellinesandranintothehangar.Dantewasleftalone.HeglancedupwardandnoddedatSeth.Likeagiantpiston, the landingpadrose.Theklaxonblaredall theway.When itdrew levelwith theBoneWalk,DantesteppedoffandcametostandbytheMasteroftheFleshTearers.Thepadcontinuedtogrindupwards,risingoverthemuntilitwasashighoverSethasithadbeenbelowhim.Sethbroketheirmutualsilence.‘Yousendawayyourgene-seed.’‘Yes,’saidDante.‘Youdonotthinkyoucanwin,’saidSethbluntly.Dantelookedathim.Orrather,Sanguiniusdid,hisgoldenfacefrozenforeverinanoutragedshout.‘IhaveseenLeviathandescend,’saidSeth.‘Thatwasnovictory.Yousaidsoyourself.WenearlylostourlivesatCryptus.Wewillloseeverythinghere.’Dantelookedaway,backtothelandingpad.‘Thereishope.TheSanguinorhimselftoldme.Iwaslikeyou,Seth.Idespaired.’‘Beyondwrath,thereisonlydespair,’saidSeth.‘Bettertobewrathful.’‘Ichoosetobehopeful.TheSanguinorhasneverspoken.Notonceintenthousandyears.AtCryptushe

did.’‘Sendingyourgene-seedawayisnottheactofahopefulman.’‘Iamapragmatist,Gabriel.Albinusisaloyalwarrior.Hewillkeepourfuturesafe,evenifourhomeislost.’‘Thescoutswerenewlyimplantedwiththecarapace.’‘Prematurelyelevated,incaseofneed.Theymustprovethemselvesstill,butwhenthetimecomestheywillbereadyfortheirarmour,’saidDante.‘Forwhat?Wecannotwin,’saidSeth,‘andtenscoutscannotrebuildtheBloodAngels.’‘Perhapsnot,’concededDante.‘ButthisChapterhasbeenreducedtoahandfulofwarriorsmorethanonce.Ifwefailhere,theBloodAngelswillriseagainonsomeotherworld.’TheThunderhawk’senginesbuilttoablastfurnaceroar.Spikesofwhitehotflamestabbedoutoverthelipoftheraisedlandingpad.‘What of it then?’ saidSeth, suddenly angry.His jawclenched sohardhe spoke throughhis teeth. ‘Ibleedwillinglyforyou,Dante,foronereason.OfallthepulingmenwhoclaimdescentfromtheGreatAngel,youaretheonlyhonourableone.YouunderstandwhatitistofeelthepulloftheBlackRage.Theotherspretend.NonebuttheFleshTearersknowthedepthsoffury.Wrathiswhatweare,itiswhatweallare.Youhavelivedlongenoughtofaceityourself.So.’Heshrugged.Hisfistsclosedinvoluntarily.‘Ifyouchoosetosendyourgene-seedaway,itisnobusinessofmine.’‘Youwouldnotdothesame?’‘IneverclaimedtobeabletosavemyChapter.Itdwindlesbeforemyeyes,untilabarefewhundredremain.AllIeverwishedwasforagloriousendinhonouroftheEmperorandthememoryofSanguinius.Ifwemustbedamned,thenwewillfallintheserviceoftheImperium,bybloodandfury,soitshallbe.Besttoendithere,ifitmustend.’‘You would not unleash your legacy on this galaxy without your guidance? You would rather yourChapterdied?’‘Ifthatiswhatyouthink,Dante,thenbelieveit.Whatdoyouwant,commander?’growledSeth.‘ThelasttimeIwasonBaal,IwasbroughtasaprisonertoyourForumJudicium.Irecallyousawnoneedtoaskmypermission.Iaminsultedthatyouasktheapprovaloftheseweaklingstocommandthem.’‘Seth,youseekoutrageforthesakeofit,’saidDante.Someofhispoisedesertedhim.Hesoundedtired.‘Youknow it isdifferent this time.Youhaveprovedyourselfa thousand times the loyal servantof theImperium.Youknowithadtobedone.’Sethmadeahumourlessnoise. ‘Tell that to the innocentsfallenbeforeourwrath.Tell that tomymenwhodaredtoopposeme.’‘Yoursavageryisyourstrengthasmuchasyourcurse.’‘Savage?HereIam,obedient.’‘Ifitrankles,why?’saidDante.Sethlookedupatthedarkeningskyandthemovingconstellationsofshiplights.‘BecauseIoweyouadebt of honour that cannot be repaid. I have placedmymen under your commandmany times. I havewatchedthemdieinpursuitofyourgoals.Rememberthis,CommanderDante,’saidSeth,andthefuriousexpressiononhisfacegrewdeeper.‘Iamnotyourthrall.Donottakemyobedienceforgranted.YousentmetothemoonofBaalPrimus,andyoucalledmeback.Iamhere.Whatmoredoyouwant?’Dantesigheddisappointedly.‘Seth,Seth,Seth,’heshookhishead.‘Gabriel,Imeanyounodishonour.Quitetheoppositeinfact,’saidDante.‘Ididnotcallyouheretowitnesstheremovalofourgene-seed.DoyouthinkIammakingsomesortofpointtoyou?’Sethshrugged.Hehonestlydidn’tcare.

TheThunderhawkliftedoff.Landinggearclunkedaway,anditappearedoverthepadedge,turninginthesky,nosingheavenward.Enginesroaring,itpushedupwardslowly,soblockyandhugeitlookedasifit could never break free of Baal’s gravity, but as it rose it accelerated, and tore away from theArxAngelicumleavingblackcontrailsinitswake.‘There.Ithasgone.Onesmallmercy,’saidDante.‘YousaveyourChapterandsacrificemine,’saidSeth.‘DoyouthinkIwoulddothattoyou,Gabriel?’saidDante.Theboomofthegunshipbreakingthesoundbarrierrumbledoverthedesert.Themutedindustryofthehosttookitsplace.Thesunwassinkingaway.Brightlightssnappedoninthesands.Theworkproceededaroundtheclock.Deliberationsinthecouncilhadlastedmostofthepreviousnight.Dantehadspokenatlength,assigningduties to theChapters of theBlood. Therewas little dissent, but thereweremany generals almost asgiftedasDante,andsomehadexpertiseeventheancientChapterMasterlacked.Hisplanswererefinedbyhispeers.OutinthedesertTechmarinesfromallacrosstheImperiumlabouredsidebysidetoraisenewfortifications,armiesofservitorsattheirbeckandcall.Dantesighedandreachedupforhishelmet.SorrowtroubledSeth’sboundless,cagedfury.HedislikedDantehidingbehindthefaceoftheirprimarch,butoncehishelmetwasfree,helikedwhathesawevenless.Dante was old. That was what nobody ever expected to see behind that ageless, golden face. Theythoughthimintheprimeofhispower,suchwasDante’sreputation.Butmenwerenotmeant tolivesolong,andDante,thoughexceptional,wasnoprimarch.Shadowspooledinhissunkeneyes,amorbidforetasteofhisappearanceindeath.‘Ididnotbringyouheretoinsultyou.Ihavesomethingforyou,Gabriel,’saidDante.‘Please,comewithme.’Dantesetout.Sethhesitatedbeforefollowing.TheywalkedaroundtheBoneWalktowhereitjoinedalargerterracelinedwithlightartillery.Allwerecovered overwith tarpaulins, the stations empty ofmen or half-men.They followed the gallery to themainpeakoftheArx,andtherewentintoasmallsallyportunobserved.Adimlylittunnelgreetedthem,sonarrowSethhadtostoop.Theshoulderpadsofhisbrutalarmourscrapedonthestone.Hegrowled.Hispulsesanginhisears.Hewantedtofight,notcreeparoundinthedark.‘Wearenearlythere,’saidDante,sensinghisrisingire.Asecondsmalldooropenedintoaroomlitbyashaftofdarkorangelightshiningthroughasingleholehighupinthewall.Asthesunsankitcrawledupthestone,andwouldsoonbeextinguished.AsolitaryBloodAngel,hishelmaveteran’sgold,stoodguardbyasimpleplinth.Theplinthandthetallobjectonitwerecoveredinblacksilkencloth,withaweavesocloseitwassmoothaswater.AtightgrinpulledatSeth’smouth.ThiswasmadebyanAdeptAstartes.WheredidtheBloodAngelsfindthetimetomakesuchthings?‘Leaveus,’saidDante.TheveterandepartedwithawaryglanceattheFleshTearer.Assoonasthedoorwasshut,Dantepulledtheclothaway.Itwhisperedoffalong,beautifullycraftedcylinderayardinlengthmadeofgoldthatglowedsoftlyinthedarkeningroom.‘Doyouknowwhatthisis,Gabriel?’‘TheReliquaryofAmit,’Sethsaid. ‘Inside there is the lastofSanguinius’ feathers.Anyof theBloodwouldrecogniseit.’EvenSeth’sdourheartwasstirredbythesight.‘Aye,andhisblood,’saidDante.Heliftedhisterminatushonourfromaroundhisneckandpresseditinto

aconcealedcavity in thecylinder.Thereliquaryhinged inhalf. Inside,a featheras longasSeth’sarmhungsuspendedwithinthesoftglowofastasisfield.Seth’sbreathcaughtinhisthroat.Thefeatherwaspurewhite.Intheglowofthefieldhecouldseeeverybarbule. Around the base the barbs were soft down of unimaginable delicacy, below them the shaftgraduatedfromwhitetoadelicategreyattheblunttip.Itspuritywasmarredaroundthetopbycrimsonsplatters–bloodthatgleamed,eternallywet.‘Thisfeatherhasnevertouchedtheground.Itwascaughtasitfellfromourlord’swingonthewalloftheImperialPalaceashefoughtthere,andplacedinthisstasisfield.Shortlyafter,hemethisdeathatthehands of Horus. In all that time, the field has never been deactivated. Within the field, the time ofSanguinius’deathhasyettooccur.’‘Beautybirthedourwrath,’saidSethquietly.Hecouldnotreconcilethetwo.‘Beautymakesitshomeinyou,GabrielSeth.Ifyoucouldwipeitfreeofbloodyouwouldseethegloryinyou.SanguiniuswritesofyourfounderAmit’ssavagery,butalsothathewasagreatcraftsman.’Dantepointedat the casket. ‘Hemade this container inpenance forSanguinius’death.Trueart speaks to thesoul,butthegreatestspeaksfromthesoul.Somuchartissubjective,dependentontheobserverandnottheartist.Thegreatestarttranscendsthis.Ittakesonauniversalmeaning.Itsintentcannotbemistakenorinterpreted.Thisisoneofthoserarepieces.OnelooksatAmit’sReliquary,andwecanfeelhissorrowatthedeathofourlord.Itisanexquisitepieceofwork.’Danteremovedhisterminatushonourfromthesocket.Thereliquaryslidshut.Dantetookitup.Theshaftofsunlighthadgone.Thechamberhadfadedtoapinkishgrey.Dante’sbloodstoneglowedinthegloom.DanteheldtherelicouttoSeth.‘Itbelongstoyou.’Sethlookedatthetreasureinincredulity.‘Thefeather…’hesaid.‘Iwillnottakethis.’Danteheldoutthereliquaryfurther.‘It belongs to your Chapter. The spirit of your founder is rooted in its metal. That, more than thereliquary,hasprotectedit.Itistimeitwenthome.Takeit.’SethlookedfromgoldencylindertoDante’sdeadlyseriousface.‘Thenyouthinklikeme.Youdonotexpecttowin,’saidSeth.‘We must win. There are uncountable foes arrayed against us, but with the Chapters of the Bloodgatheredhere,wehaveachanceatvictory.Evenso, this fortressmonasterycould fall.Thehivemindwill attempt to destroy theArxAngelicum.There are areas of our home that can bear such attentionswithout destruction, perhaps, but I have ordered that ourmost precious artefacts be removed and sentfromthisplace.TheScrollsofSanguinius,ourgene-seed,andtheotherrelicsofourlord.Itseemedmostfittingthatyoushouldtakethisreliquaryanditscontentsinmemoryandhonourofyourfounder.’Dantestopped, consideringhisnextwordscarefully. ‘Youmay refuse,of course,but I askyou toaccept thisburdeninhonourofourfriendship.’‘Friendship?’Sethfrowned.‘Thereisonlyfury,andservice.Brotherhoodinthebondofblood,butnotfriends,neverfriends.’‘Doyoureallybelievethat,Gabriel?’saidDante.‘IfaceddissentfromtheRedCouncilforreachingouttoyourChapter. Imaintain itwasabsolutely thecorrect action.Youareamong themostworthymen Ihaveeverknown.Youstrugglewiththethirstandtherage,butyouriseaboveit.Youhavenospecialgift,asdoesMephiston.YouarenotdamnedlikeLemartes.’‘Iamnotaswiseasyou,’saidSeth.

‘DoyouthinkthatIamimmune?’saidDante,deeplytroubled.‘ItellyouIamnot.YousuffermorethanIdo,butyouresist.IdonotknowifIcoulddothesame.Iadmireyou.’HetookSeth’shandandplacedituponthereliquary.‘Theserelicsdonotbelongtome,Icannotgivethemaway,but it is inmypowertoseetheyaresafeguardedinwhateverwayIseefit.Igivethis intoyour trust as anecessity.The feather insidebears the last unadulterateddropsofbloodother than thatcontainedinthisbloodstone.’Dantepressedtwofingersagainsttheblooddroponthebrowofhishelmet.‘Igiveittoyouasanhonour,forallyouhavedoneformyChapter.Igiveittoyouinrecognitionofyourskillandintellect.Iknowthatshouldeverylastoneofusdie,youwillsomehowseethisrelicsafe.But,mostofall,GabrielSeth,Igiveyouthisfeatheranditscasketasafriend.’Sethhesitated.‘Youhavechanged,’saidSeth.Hesniffedtheair.‘Ismellitonyou.’Dante’sheadlowered.‘Itookblood,forthefirsttimeinalongtime.’‘Ah,’saidSeth.‘Youarenotpureafterall.’Heintendedtoexpressbitterpleasure,butsadnessovertookhim.HerealisedthenheneededDantetobebetterthanallofthem.Sethtookthereliquary.‘Iwilltakeit.Iswearitshallbesafe,bytheBlood,andbytheGreatAngel,andbytheEmperor.’‘Thankyou,’saidDante in relief. ‘Tonightwefeast.Tomorrow,youwill leaveforBaalPrimus.ThismaybethelastopportunityyouandIhavetospeakinprivate,Gabriel.Iwishyougoodfortune.’Sethheftedthereliquarythoughtfully.BeforehecouldwishDantegoodfortuneinreturn,thedoorhadopenedandthecommanderhadgone.

Thelictorlookedlikeacreatureuntoitself.Itmovedasasolitaryorganism.Ithadoperatedonitsownforyears,farawayfromthehivefleet.Butitwasnotapartfromthehivemind.Thatwasthemistakethepreyalwaysmade.Evenat thiscorpuscular level, itwasamistake tosee the lictorasa lictor,oneofmillions;therewerenotmany,therewasone.Thelictorwasthelictor.Everyiterationwasacopy,betterthanperfectforaeonsofimprovement,partytotheactions,mistakesandsuccessesofeveryotherlictorthathadcomebefore.Weldedtotheverygenesofitsbeingwereuntoldmillionsofyearsofexperience.AnditwasonBaaljustasitwassimultaneouslyonathousandotherworldsthroughoutthegalaxy.Itputancientlessonsintoaction.Sightwastheeasiestsensetofool.Thelictormovedatnight,whenitwashardertosee.Chromaticmicroscaleslentitnearperfectchameleonicabilityeveninthefulllightofday.Deformableorganclustersembeddedinitsskinallowedittochangeitsshapesomewhat,enablingitto take on the rough texture of stone, ormimic fronds of vegetation. Smellwas amore primal sense,harder to deceive because of it. The lictor managed that too. It had virtually no scent. Only when itfloodedtheairwithpheromonetrailstoguideitskinbeastsdiditsemissionsbecomenoticeable.Bythenitwastoolate.Mostpreycouldhear,soitmadenosoundwhenitmoved.Specialarrangementsofhairsbaffledthewhisperofitslimbsmovingoveroneanother.Moreesotericsenseswereequallywellaccountedfor.Itselectromagneticprofilewasminimal.Itsbraincase was shielded by internal bone structures against energy leakage. The nerves in its body weresimilarlycloaked. Itshooveswereshaped tomake theminimumofvibration,andalthoughitcouldnotentirelystoptheperturbationoftheairmadebyitsmovements,itschitinousplateswereflutedinprecisemolecular,fractalpatternstominimiseitswake.Itgaveoffnoheat.Itshednocellsunlessdamaged.Itspsychic linkwith the hivemindwas like spider silk, gossamer thin, strong, and almost impossible todetect.Moreadaptationsheapedontopofmore.Unlikeanaturalorganism,whichlosescertaingiftsinfavourofothersasevolutionpushesitdownaparticularpath,thelictor’sadvantageswereretained,newgifts

stackedatop the others. Itsgeneticstructurewas incrediblycomplex.Withineverycellwasbillionsofyears’worthofadaptation,culledfromeverylictor,coileduponeovertheother.Anythingusefultoitsrole,nomatterhowinconsequentialseeming,itretainedforever.EverymachineandpsychicabilitytheImperiumhadgearedtowardsdetection,thelictorcouldevade.Thehivemindhadconsumedfarmoreadvancedracesthanmankind.InfiltratingBaalwaschild’splay.Therewasnoneedforittoemployafractionofitsconsiderabletalents.Atnightitsprintedtirelesslyacrossthedesert,sustainedbybladdersofsuper-nutritiousfluidcontainedwithinitsbody.Theroarofthehivemindwasgrowingstrongerbytheday,butthelictorwasnotawareof themind. Ithadno sentience. Instead, themindbecameawareof the lictor,much in thewayamanbecomesawareofhislimbsonlywhenhethinksofusingthem.On it pounded through the nights as the prey creatures’ clumsily engineered warrior caste gatheredaroundtheworld.AsMephistondreamed,itlopedacrosstheWasteofEnod.AsDantedrewuphisplans,itcrossedtheBloodwiseMounts,boundingtirelesslyfromcragtocrag,itshoovespunchingsharpholesin the pristine snows of the summits.Where it could, it fed uponBaal’s sparse life to supplement itsnutrientfluids,butitdidnottire.Itstoppedtoavoiddetection,neverforrest.BythetimeCommanderDantecalledhisGreatRedCounciltoorder,thelictorwasskitteringthroughthesolidified lavafieldsof theDemitianBadlands.Thepreywascunning. Ifothercreatures like itselfhad made it to Baal, they had been found and destroyed, and it was a long time before it felt thesympatheticlifepulsesofothertyrannicorganisms.Onewasallittook,foronewasall,andallwasone.Wherevertherewasasolerepresentativeofthespecies,therewasthehivemind.ThefinalnightofLeviathan’sapproachdrewcloser.The lictorburrowed into thecrestofa toweringdune as Balor burst over the horizon and flooded the desert with ruby light. Its eyes peered throughsiftingsofsand.Reddaystruckoffadistantfortress, theblackof itscarvedstonestarkagainst thedesert.Metal-shellpreyconveyancesflewfromthefortress intothegreatstarsea,andallarounditwere thousandsof thepreywarriors.Afeeblenumberagainsttheonrushingtrillions.Ifthelictorcouldhave,itwouldhavefeltcontempt.Butitdidnot.Itcouldnot.Itsawatargetlikeascopeseesatarget.Itknewwithoutthinking,withoutbeing,whatitmustdo.Sophisticatedsensesappraisedthefortressforweakness.Itsawnothingitcoulduse,notyet.Itneededmoreinformation.Burrowingdeeperintothesand,thelictorsettledintowait.

CHAPTERTWELVETHEFEASTOFTHEDAMNED

Foronenight,theChaptersoftheBlooddidnotspeakofthetyranids.TheWellofAngelswascrammedwith long tablesarranged ina seriesofnestedhexagons.Theverycentrewasoccupiedbyatemporarydais,uponwhichsatDanteandhisfellowChapterMasters.Outsidethat sat the captains, scores of them, and the executive officers of the Chapters. Then the Sanguinarypriests,whooccupieda facetofahexagonfacing theChaplains.On thesame table,occupyinganotherside of the hexagon,were a hundredLibrarians.Beyond them sat hundreds ofTechmarines and squadsergeants.Onlypast thatdid themany tiersof tablesaccommodating thebattle-brothersbegin.Finally,bounding themall in a thin line,was a single tier of tables set aside for theChapters’most importantmortal servants. Astropaths, navigators, human shipmasters and officers, warrior serfs, logisticiamilluminati,historitors,scholiasts,craftsmen,andthehundredmoreprofessionsrequiredtokeepaChapterrunning.The tables so thoroughly filled theWellofAngels that themortal tablewas set upon the firstlevel of the Verdis Elysia, and so the human contingent looked down upon their transhumanmasters.Viewedfromonhighinthevolcano’sshaft, thetablesresembledanancientangelichierarchyofwhichDante,cladasalwaysinhisgleaminggoldenbattleplate,wasthehighestarchangelofall.Hesatuponathroneabovetheothers.Nowthatthevotingwasdone,Erwinsupposedhewishedtoshowhisauthority.Inoneplacethetables’circuitwasbroken.Acircularhollowwassetintothefloorthere.Ordinarilyitheldasmalllake,butithadbeendrained,revealingadeepfightingpitflooredwithwashedsand.Therewouldbeduellingtofollowthefeasting.The difficulties in provisioning the feast stretched the capabilities of the BloodAngels’ logisticiam.BrotherAdanicio’sserfs,usedtofeedingafewthousandmouths,weresuddenlypresentedwithtentimesmore.Thebloodthrallsworkedtirelessly.Servantsofeveryrankvolunteeredtofilllowlyservingrolesas thesuccessof thefeastandthereputationof theirmasters’Chaptermeantagreatdeal to them.Menusedtogoverningcitiespassedbetweentherowsoftablesbearingheavyplattersandtraysweightywithwineforthehonourofit.Vat creatures andcybernetic slaves flewoverhead;plumesofheavyblue incense smokepoured fromcenserscarriedbysome,whileothersplayedheavenlymusic thatshiftedandchangedaccording to the

moodofthecrowd.‘Thisisanexceptionalvintage,’saidErwin,sippinghiswine.Amedleyofflavoursteasedhispalette,enrichedwithafewdropsoffresh,expertlyspicedblood.‘Andjustenoughvitaetosatethethirstwithoutprovokingitfurther.’HisdinnermatewasacaptainoftheAngelsSanguinenamedBolthus.Hedrainedhiscup.‘Youspeakthetruth,brother.Wehavenothinglikethis.Thesoilsofourworldaretoobittertobearsuchfinefruits.’Erwinnodded.‘Mostare.WeareavoidChapter.Ouropportunitiesforagriculturearenarrow.Still,wecanthanktheeffortsoftheBloodAngelsforsuchexcellentfood.Theyareparagonsinallthings.’‘Isthatirony,brother-captain?’saidthewarriortohisright,acaptainoftheSableBrotherhood.HewasalugubriouscharacterwhoremindedErwinmorethanalittleofAchemen.HisnamewasGos.Gos pushed his goblet forward with outstretched fingers. The eyes of a servo-skull floating nearbyflickered.Amomentlater,aserfappearedtoreplenishthedrink.‘TheysayDanteemptiedhiscellars,’saidBolthusappreciatively.‘Isthatso?’saidErwin.‘IwouldtoowereIinhisposition.Iheardarumourhesentawayhisgene-seed,’saidGos.Hesatupstraighter.‘Andwhatofit?’saidBolthus.‘Wemightnotwin,’Gossaid.‘Illfortunetospeakso,’saidBolthus.‘Victory is never assured,’ said Erwin. ‘Itmust be fought forwith cunning and great strength. Leave“thoughtsofdefeatareheresy”to theAstraMilitarum.Weareabovethat.Wehavetobe.Ifwecannotcountenancedefeat,howcanwefindourwaytovictory?’Erwinlookedaround,hiscuriositypiquedbythediversityofmenwhostaffedhisbrotherChapters.Asalastsymbolofpeace(althoughErwinthoughtitmoretosavespace)Dantehadorderedthattheyattendintheirdayrobes.Thesewerealmostasvariedastheirwearers.AmongthescionsofSanguiniustherewereallmannerofskintones,variationsinheightandeyecolour,butallofthemunmistakablyborethemarksoftheirgene-sire.Eventhosebrotherswhosebasicphysiologywasmarkedlydifferenthadbeenchangedbytheirgene-seed,theirfacesresculptedtoechothethousandsofimagesofSanguiniusthatfilledtheArxAngelicum. They resembled each other in a fundamental way that simply sharing kinship could notexplain. He looked upon myriad variations of Sanguinius’ face. Some Chapters were more heavilytouchedthanothers,sothatalltheirbattle-brotherslookedasiftheyhadbeenstampedoutofamould.Theonly real differenceswere evident in expressionsof the flaw.SomeChapters appeared to suffermorethanothers.Thosemostheavilycursedwereeitherdourattheirpredicamentorstrainingwithragethey could only just contain. Therewere a fewChapters in this latter categorywho hid it better thanothers, theFleshTearersbeingone,buttheybetrayedtheir tensionintheirbodylanguageandmanners.Some bore the first signs of genuine deviancy. Therewerewarriors with bulging, bloodshot eyes, orunnaturallydryskinliketheBloodDrinkers,thegloweringmienoftheRedKnights,thebrightwhitehairoftheRedWings,andthepronouncedeyeteethoftheCharnelGuard.Goshadskinsowhitehisveinswereamapofblue rivers.Bolthuswasunusually ruddy,hisangelicfeaturescoarse.LordFollordarkwasonthedaiswithDante.Unlike theirmen, theChapterMasterswore theirpowerarmour,allofitburnishedtoagleamingshine.‘Howcantheycelebrateontheeveofbattle?’saidGos.‘WhatwouldyourChapterdo,BrotherGos?’saidErwin.

‘Standvigil,’saidGos.‘Insilence.’‘Well,Iprefertodrink,’saidBolthus,andraisedhisgoblet.Theeveningpassedinsimilarexchanges.Erwinspokewiththesetwoandthecaptainsafewseatsdownfromhimoneither side.Theofficershadbeenmixed to sitwith thoseofotherChapters, andErwin’snearestChapterbrotherwas tenseatsaway.Erwinhadanopenmind.Hewelcomedtheopportunity tomeetothers.HehadthefeelingthatGosdidnotfeelthesameway.Once,hecaughtAsantestaringathim.Hewassittingso thathewas justvisible toErwin,where thetablebentaroundandthecaptainsfurtheronwerehiddenbytheChapterMasters’dais.Erwinnoddedathim.Thefleetcaptainlookedaway.Dantekeptagoodtable.NinecourseswereservedinhonouroftheoldLegion’snumber.Thewinekeptflowing,somuchofitthatErwinbegantofeelitseffectasthenightworeon.Finally,thelastplateswereclearedaway,andtheChapterseachnominatedoneoftheirnumbertoreciteapoemoftheirdeeds,ortosing of glorious days.Among theChapterswho shared theBloodAngels’ fondness for art thereweremanyfinelyricists.SomeoftheChaptersoftheBloodlookeddisdainfullyon,fortheircontrolstemmedfrom self-denial and the scourging of the flesh.Gos in particular appeared dismayed at such frivolity.Othersyethaddarkerwaysofmanagingthethirst.Throughout,Dantesatquietly.Hedidnotremovehishelmetorpartakeofanydrinkormeat.Whenthefinallayhadbeenrecitedandallthetrumpetsandlyressetaside,Dantestood.‘Nowweshallendourevening,mybrothers, indisplaysofmartialskill,’ said thecommander. ‘WhowillduelfirstintheRingofHeaven?’Theresetupanenormousclamourtoclaimthehonour.Hundredsstoodfromtheirtablesandshoutedouttheirnames.ErwinsawAsantemakehiswayuptothedais,andattracthislord’sattention.Dantehelduphishand.Theroomfellsilent.Thecommander’srichvoicefilledtheWellofAngels.‘Ibegyourindulgence,brothersoftheBlood.MybrotherAsante,captainofourbattle-bargetheBladeofVengeance,requeststhathebepermittedtoissuethefirstchallenge.Doanyhereobject?’Aresoundingcheeransweredthequestion.‘Verywell,’saidDante.‘Whomdoyouchallenge,CaptainAsante?’AsantewalkedaroundthebaseofthedaisuntilhestoodfacetofacewithErwin.Hestared,stonyfaced.‘IchallengeCaptainErwin,oftheAngelsExcelsis.’Erwinstood.‘Doyouaccept,CaptainErwin?’askedDante.Erwinsmiledwidely.‘Ofcourse,’hesaid,anddrainedhiswine.

Bymutualagreementandeffort, the tablesaround theRingofHeavenwere removed.Whenspacehadbeen cleared to hold a crowd, someSpaceMarines headed up into the lushness of theVerdisElysia,whosemultiplelevelsandunevenslopesofferedbettervantagepointstowatchthecomingduel.Asantewalkedthroughametalgateheldopenbyahumanserfanddownstepscoiledaroundthearenawalltothesandyfloor.Erwinfollowed.SpaceMarinescrowdedtheedgeofthearenaastheydescended.Asantepaced,shuckingoffhisrobetostandinsofttrousersandheavyboots.Hispalechestwasmassivewithmuscle.Abigscarrandiagonallyfromtoplefttobottomright,alightgreytrackoverthedarknessoftheblackcarapaceunderhisskin.Hisbodyservantscoopeduptherobeandtookitaway.Erwintookoffhisownouterrobewithmorecare.Underneathheworealightvest.HewassurprisedhowangryAsanteappeared.TheBloodAngelswere supposed tobeamong thecalmerofSanguinius’progeny,butcomparedtoErwin’sownChapter,Asantewasshorttempered.

Agate opened. Servitors entered carrying racks ofmeleeweapons.Under the direction of red-robedbloodthralls,theysetthemupatthesideofthearena.Finecraftsmanshipwasthehallmarkofeach.Allwereedged,butnonewerepowered.‘Iofferthechallenge.Whatweaponwillyouselect?’saidAsante.Erwinshrugged.‘Yourchallenge,yourchoice,captain.’‘Longswords,’saidAsante.Hespokethroughbaredteeth.Hisjawhardlymovedashespoke.‘Longswordsitis,then,’saidErwin.Hebeckonedaserfwhofetchedastraightswordfourfeetlong.Anidenticalweaponwasbroughtfromasecondrack.Themortalswhocarriedthemwereobligedtousealltheir strength, but Asante and Erwin took the hilts in a single hand. Erwin gave his weapon a fewexperimentalsweeps.Ithissedthroughtheair.‘Baalitesteel,’Erwinsaid,impressed.Heranhisfingerdowntheblade.‘Sharp.’Asantegloweredathim.Atallpulpitwaswheeledtotheedgeofthepit.Theplatformwasfacedonallsidesbythevisageofstern angels whose foreheads boremassive bloodstones. Dantemounted the steps and the pulpit waspushedout further as he ascended, until itwas over the edge of the pit. From there, he could addresscombatantsandaudienceboth.‘Forwhatreasonisthischallengeissued?’saidCommanderDante.‘Inamityorinenmity?’‘Enmity.Thisisamatterofhonour.CaptainErwinjeopardisedmymissionatZozanwithhisdisregardformyorders,’saidAsantescornfully.‘Whatisyourresponse,CaptainErwin?’askedDante.‘Ihavegivenmyresponsealready,’saidErwin,altogethermoremildly.‘Iwasundernoobligationtoobeyhim.Icametohisaid,whereuponheimmediatelyassumedhewasmysuperior.Ideclinedtoagree.Byfollowingmyowncourse,asismyright,IsavedashipoftheAngelsNuminoushehadsetasadecoyfromdestruction.’Dante’simpassivemaskedfacestareddown.‘There is no grudge here,’ saidDante. ‘Youmay step aside from the challenge if youwish, CaptainErwin.’‘Ohno,’saidErwinwithaslysmile.‘Idonotwantthatatall.IwillfightAsanteforthepleasureofit,ifthereisnomatterofhonourtoanswer.’‘Withnomalice?’saidDante.‘Fromeitherside?’Asanteshookhishead.‘Honour,notmalice.’‘Nonewhatsoever,mylord,’saidErwin.‘Thentakeyourplaces,’saidDante.‘Thisboutshallgonofurtherthanthepointofyielding.Bloodmaybe spilt, but if I deem there is a serious risk to either combatant, I shall call a halt myself. Is thisunderstood?’‘Aye,mylord,’saidAsante.‘Yes,’saidErwin.ErwinandAsantewenttooppositesidesoftheduellingring,fiftyfeetapart.‘Thenstandready!’commandedDante.Theyraisedtheirbladesinmirrorimage,twohandsonthelonghilts,tipspointeddirectlyupward.“Begin!”saidDante.Silencefellon thegathering.AsanteandErwincircledeachother,onefootoveranother inmeasuredsidesteps.Theyspiralledinward,untiltheywerewithinstrikingdistance,eyeslocked,eachwaitingfortheothertomove.CaptainAsantebrokefirst,hisbladeflickingouttowardsErwin’sheadashesteppedin.Erwinparried

easily,anddeflectedtheattackthatfollowed.Thebladessangoffeachother,andthentheywerebackintheirguardpositions,swordshummingwiththeimpact.Asante attempted two more such attacks, seeking to draw responses from Erwin so that he mightdecipherhisfightingstyleandconstructastrategytobeathim.Erwinkepthisresponsestoaminimum,givingnothingaway.AsantewasstrongerthanErwin,andmoreaggressive.Erwinreckonedhimselfthebetterswordsman.Asante’sattackslackedfinesse.Incaseitwerebluffandhewas hidinghisskill,hereservedforminganopinion.Eventually,Erwindecideditwashistimetostrike,hisswordflashingoutandtakingAsantebysurprise.Three attempts around Asante’s guard were foiled. Their blades spoke for them in quick, metallicsentences.Theypartedamoment,drawingafewpacesfurtherbackfromoneanother.Theircirclingslowed,andthenthefightbeganinearnest.Erwinattackedwithoutwarning,his sworddirected lowforAsante’s legs.TheBloodAngel saw themove and responded. Erwin switched line beforeAsante’s counter could land.Asante leapt back tooslowly,andErwin’sbladedrewalineofcrimsonacrossAsante’sribs.‘Doyouyield?’saidErwin.Asanteshowedhisteeth.Hiseyeswereshining,hiscanineslong.Thethirsthadhim.Erwin’sownthirstroseinresponse.ItsurprisedErwinthatAsante’sangeraffectedhim.Theywerenotofthesamebrotherhood.Asante’swoundwasshallowandclosedquickly.Theyattackedtogether,swordsweavingblursofsteelaroundtheirheads,bladessparkingwhentheyhit.AsantesoughttoshakeErwin’sgripwithhissuperiorstrength,butErwinwastoopractised.Asantebackedaway.Erwin,hisbloodup,cameforward,butAsante’sretreathadbeenafalseone,andhepoweredoffhisbackleg,swordswingingaroundforapowerfulblow.Captain Erwin’s blade rang heavily from Captain Asante’s. Asante barged into him, and they bothstaggeredback.Erwinwas too slow inbringinghisbladeback intoposition, andAsante slammed thecross guard of his sword into Erwin’s face. Erwin turned his head a fraction of a second before thequillioncouldtakehiseye.Asante’sfistmethismouthinstead.Lipsburstonhisteeth,fillinghismouthbrieflywithblood,beforehisenhancedphysiologysealedthewound.Asante dropped back and swung the blade around at head height. Again in the nick of time Erwinparried,buthewasoffbalanceanditwasaclumsyinterception.Asantecameinagain,weaponblurring.He ducked a desperate blow fromErwin by dropping into a crouch, swinging his legs around to takeErwin’soutfromunderneathhim.BeforeErwincouldstand,Asantewasoverhim,swordathisneck.‘Yield,’saidAsante.‘Iwillyield,’saidErwin,andspatathickclotofbloodfromhismouth.Asantecastasidehisswordandreachedouthishand.Erwintookit.‘Let all enmity be banished,’ said Dante, ‘worked out in this argument of swords. Is your enmitybanished,CaptainErwin?’‘Ihadnonetobeginwith,mylord,’saidErwin.‘Andyou,BrotherAsante?’saidDante.‘Willyouobeymeinfuture?’saidAsante.Heheldouthishandagain.Erwinlookedatit,thenupatAsante’sface.‘Itoldyou,ifmyChapterMasterdecreedIshouldfollowyou,thenIwould.Hehas,soIshall.’HereachedouthishandandheandAsanteclaspedwrists.

‘Yourbeatingmehasnothingtodowithit,’saidErwin.‘Maybenot,’saidAsante,lightlypanting.‘ButIstillbeatyou.’Erwinlaughed.They were walking from the ring when the next call for challenges went out. This, however, wasinterruptedbytheloudtrumpetofaheraldservitor.‘Mylords,praywelcomeCaptainFenoftheAngelsVermillion.’

Dantefroze.Erwinthoughtthatastrangereaction,andhestoppedattheedgeofthepittowatch.Asantehaltedbyhim.Hestaredinopenhostilityatthenewcomers,andthistooErwinfoundcurious.OverahundredwarriorscameintotheWellofAngelsthroughagatewaytunnelboredthroughtheVerdisElysiaandoutofthenortherncliff.Theywerearrayedforbattle,andtheirarmourwasscarredwithsignsof recent combat. Several of them were wounded. Acid had burned away their paint, leaving bare,discolouredmetalinplaceoftheirlivery.EnoughofthemcarriedcolourssothattheirChaptercouldbeidentified.ThegatheredbloodofSanguiniuspartedtoletthemthrough.TheirfeetcrashedonstoneastheymarchedincloseformationtostandbeforeDanteunchallenged.Theirleaderscameforwardinaloosegroup;acaptain,aChaplain,andthreeSanguinarypriests.Their leaderhelduphishand, and thepartyknelt anddropped theirheads, thewoundedamong themperformingthesameactionthoughitclearlypainedthemtodoso.Whentheywereallontheirknees,thecaptainjoinedthem.Onlythendidhespeak.‘IamCaptainFen,’saidtheirleader.‘IcometotreatwithCommanderDante,LordoftheHost.WehavetravelledfartoofferfealtytotheLordofBaal,andtoaidinthecomingbattle.’‘Whatisthemeaningofthis?’saidDante,furythickeninghisvoice.CaptainFenkepthisheadbowed.‘Weofferourselvesforthedefence,inthenameofSanguiniusandoftheBlood,asisourrightasscionsoftheGreatAngel.Althoughwewerenotcalledupon,wearehere.’AChaplainpushedhiswaytothefrontofthecrowd.‘IamChaplainOrdamael,andIsayyouarenotwelcomehere!’hesaid.‘Brother,whatishappening?’saidErwintoAsante.AsanteglancedatErwininpuzzlement.PerhapsheexpectedErwintobearagrudgeagainsthim.Erwinwidenedhiseyestopromptaresponse.‘DanteissuedabanontheAngelsVermillionsomefivehundredyearsago,’saidAsantereluctantly.‘Hewillnotsaywhy.OnlytheHighChaplainknows.’‘ThePaternisSanguisspeaksthetruth.Youarenotwelcomehere,’saidDante.‘Aidisnotwelcome?Ibringmorethanahundredwarriors,’saidFen.‘Wedonotneedyourhelp,’saidDante.Fenlookedup.‘Nevertheless,wearehere.Donotturnusaway.’Sanguinius’metalfaceglowereddownfromthepulpit.Fengot tohis feet and removedhishelmet.Hewasyoung for a captain, andafflictedwith journey’sweariness,buthewouldhavehissay.‘Mylord,IamawareofyourdislikeforourChapter,’hesaid.‘WehavebravedmanydangersinourvoyagefromtheBloodspiketoBaal.Thewarpisinturmoil.Tyranidsinfesteverysystemweattemptedtoputinto.Asyoucansee,wehavefoughtourwayhere,losingtwothirdsofournumberonourpilgrimage.’‘ChapterMasterChauldcannotbuyhisforgivenessbyyoursacrifice,’saidDante.‘Forgiveme,mylord,butChapterMasterChauldisdead,slainbytheNecronsfortyyearsago.MoarisMaster of our brotherhood now.He does not knowwe are here, and indeedwe have come in direct

contravention of his orders. We humbly ask for your absolution for the sins of our Chapter. Not forourselves,butsothatwemightprotectthehomeofourgene-sirebyyourside.’Murmurs ran around the crowd. It appeared few warriors knew of Dante’s distaste for the AngelsVermillion.‘Youwillrenounceyourpractices?’saidDante.‘Thelettingofinnocentblood?’‘WhichChaptercanclaimtheirhandsarecleanofinnocentblood?’saidFen.‘Allofusknowbrotherswhohavefallen.YourtowerofArameoholdsitsownsecrets.Howaretheywhoareheldwithinfed?’Danteevadedthequestion.‘Yourkindinstitutionalisedbutchery,’hesaid.‘Rationally.Coldly.’‘Onlytopreventworseatrocity,’saidFen.‘OurChapterisnottheonlyonetosateitsappetitesthisway.Forthelossofafew,themanyareprotected.’Outragedshoutsgreetedthislastpronouncement.‘Youareinnopositiontoallegemisdeedsonthepartsofothers,whenyoursareknown,’saidDante.Fenwasdisappointed.‘Forourhonestywearepunished.Lessermenwouldbecomeyourenemies,notbegtobeyourfriends.WeheredonotagreewithourChapterpractices.TheyhavegrownmoreextremeunderMoar.Wewish only to serve as best wemay.Wewill place ourselves at the vanguard of thefighting.Letourdeathsredeemus.’Danteregardedthecaptainforamoment.‘Youaresincereinyourdesireforrapprochement?’‘Absolutely.’‘Tellmewhatoccurredonyourvoyagehere.’‘Therewerenighthreecompaniesofus,’saidFen.‘Wefivescoreandtwelveareall thatremain.WeweretorendezvouswithbrothersoftheFifthCompanyatDanvin.Theircaptainisclosetome,afriend,andsharesmyopinionsofMoar.Therewasnosignofthem,insteadwewerewelcomedbythefoe.Wewereattackedtherebyatyranidswarmandforcedtofightourselvesfreeandbackintothewarp.Awayfrom the shadow,we attempted to send an in-warpmessage to our brothers, trusting that they too hadfought past the tyranids. We made brief contact, but lost two of our three astropaths to the shadowmadness for our efforts, and so we broke warp at Aldine to attempt communication again.We wereambushedassoonasweemerged.Thetyranidswerewaitingforus,asiftheyknewwewouldarrive.Welosttwocruisers,CaptainMalthaen,andthemajorityofourThirdCompany.Theirgene-seedhasgone.Once more we were forced to withdraw. Within the immaterium we found ourselves half blind. AdarknessisfallingovertheAstronomican.Theshadowofthewarplapsattheshoresofthissystem.Ifearwearethelasttoanswerthecallofthegatheringhost.Thetyranidsarecoming.’Amurmurwentaroundtheroom.‘Itcouldbeso,AldineisclosetoBaal,’saidBellerophonrapidly.Dantesilencedhim.‘Wethoughtitwouldbesafe,’saidFen.‘Wewerewrong.’‘Wearesorryforyourlosses,’saidDante.Fen took thecondolenceswell. ‘Wearesorrywecouldbringnomoreofourbrothers toaidyou,mylord.Ifyourjudgementgoesagainstus,wecouldfight,mybrothersandthehosthere.Wewillnot.Ifyoudesiretokillus,wewillnotresist.WecometoBaalinitstimeofneed.WillyouputasideyourhatredofourChapterforthemoment,andaccept?’Dantepaused.Hegrippedthesidesofhispulpitandbowedhishead.Erwinwassurprisedyetagain.Dantewasalegend.Legendsdidnothesitate.Abruptly,Danteraisedhishead.LightflashedfromSanguinius’angryface.‘Rise,mybrothers!’saidDante.TheAngelsVermillionstood.

‘Iacceptthetermsofyourservice.Youarewelcometofightwithus,inmemoryofourprogenitor.Sitnow.Feast.Youdeserveyourrestbeforetherealstrugglebegins.’‘Mylord!’protestedOrdamael.‘Mydecision ismade,Chaplain. IfMoar himself camehere,my reactionwould have been different.Thesewarriorsarepenitents.’Thralls came to theAngelsVermillion and led them to seats.Foodwasbrought out for them.Humanmedicae and Sanguinary priests from several Chapters went to the aid of the wounded. Techmarinestendedtheirmachines.ReliefpassedoverFen’sexhaustedface.‘Mythanks,mylord.’‘Now!’calledDante.‘Weshallcontinue.Whowillbringthenextchallenge?’

CHAPTERTHIRTEENTHETAKINGOFTHEINNOCENTS

Bronzedoorsclankedopen,andCommanderDantesteppedoutontothemarblepedimentofthestatueofSanguinius.TheSanguinaryGuard and blood thralls lining the balustrade saluted.The tense hush of asilentcrowdgreetedhim,theirbreathagentlebreezeonthestillair.TherewereseveralthousandBaalitescrammedintothesquare.TensofthousandsmorewaitedoutsidethecitywallsofAngel’sFall.Dantesurveyed them,and they turned their facesaway in fearwhen theblankstareofSanguinius’deathmaskmettheireyes.Fifteenhundredyearsagohehadstoodinthatsamesquarewiththecrowds,lookingupatthestatueandthelivingangelsatitsfeet.Wasthereanyofthatboyleftinsidehim?hewondered.Millenniahaddulledhismemoriesofthedaysbefore.Sanguinius’gene-seedhadwipedawaythefacehehadoncehad.Timehaderoded thenewone that replaced it.Onlyhiseyes, tawnyamberandpossessedofaconflictionofwarmthandcold,remainedthesame.Everythingelsehadchanged.Everything.‘People of Baal!’ he said, and all over Baal Secundus his words were repeated, translated wherenecessaryintotribalpidgin.Ahostofimperfectangels,effigiesofhololithiclightfourhundredfeettall,cametolifealloverthetwinmoons.Thenearestwaveredghostlikeoutsidethecity,projectionribbonsshimmering where they encountered pockets of static-laden dust in the air, the loop patterning barelystrongenoughtobeseenthroughthesun.AtKemrenderandSellTown,atAngel’sLeapandintheGhostLands,attheGatheringofClansintheGreatSaltWaste,andateveryotherplaceonthemoonwherethesparsepopulationgatheredinanynumber,Dantespoke.Hehadconsideredcarefullyhowtodeliverhisedict.Ithadtobedonesimultaneouslyonbothworlds.Hehadtodoitinperson,buthecouldonlybeinoneplaceatatime.He was not biased in choosing his one-time home, he told himself. Baal Secundus was the morepopulous.IthadAngel’sFall.Ithadthemoreviableecosystem.ThetyranidswouldhitSecundusharderthanPrimus.Still,hefeltapangofguilttofavouronemoonovertheother,evensoslightly.‘Undermyrule,’hecontinued,‘theseworldshaveseenmanydangersandfacedmanythreats.Wehaverepelled them,whether ork or traitor. You have prosperedwhilemy angels have protected you.Your

young have bolstered our ranks, taking up the onerous service of theGreatAngel for the glory of theImperiumofMan.Baalanditsmoonshavecontributedmorethanmanyotherworldstothesurvivalofourspecies,andforthatIamthankful–theEmperoristhankful!’A worshipful moan passed over the crowd. Dante’s words echoed down every street of the shantycapitalofBaalSecundus.Wherethetitanichololithscouldnotbeseen,servo-skullsandherald-cherubsdriftedoverdesertedsands,shoutingoutthemessagetothewindandthefirescorpions.‘Inthesedarktimeswefaceourgreatestchallengeyet.Ahordeofalienmonstersbearsdownuponoursystem.AlreadytheyhavedevouredmuchofthelifeoftheRedScarsuns.Ourworldsarenext.‘IwillnotallowthebirthworldoftheGreatAngeltofall!NorshallBaalPrimus,orBaalitself.YouseeintheskiesthegatheredmightofallSanguinius’sons.Icalledthem,andtheyheeded.Theyareheretostopthisterror,onthesesands,whereonceourblessedfathertrod.’The fearful silence was broken by the rumble of engines. A pair of giant cargo landers grumbledoverhead.Thecrowdstartedatthem,asiftheywerethevanguardofinvasion.‘ImustaskmoreofyouthanIhaveeveraskedbefore.’Andherewasthefinalmessage,whichwouldcondemnsomany.Dantehidhissorrowtodelivertheirfateinthesamebombasticfashion.‘ThoseofyoucapableofcarryingweaponswillbedeployedunderthecommandoftheangelstoaidinthedefenceofBaal.Theseshipsyouseecarrygunsandammunition.Everymanandwomanofsoundbodyovertheageof ten standard Terran yearswill be armed. Children below the age of ten and theirmotherswill beexcusedthisduty,andevacuatedfromthesystemtoday.’Weeksofrumourshadsentthepopulationintoastateofdreadanticipation.Theirworstfearsconfirmed,theirdreadturnedintopanic.Danteraisedhisvoice.‘Any refusing this duty shall be executed. All must fight, or all will perish. This is my decree, ascommanderoftheBloodAngels,ChapterMaster,LordofBaal,BaalPrimus,BaalSecundus,andoftheAngelicHost!’Thecrowdsurgedforward.Thoseatthefront,untilmomentsagofullofquietadoration,werecrushedupagainst themarble.Outside thewalls, rockets thunderedas thecargo lifters toucheddown.Loadingrampsdropped,andtransitcontainersrolledoutfromtheirholds,eachonefulloflasguns.‘MaytheEmperorwatchoveryouandprotectyou.Mayweallfindmercyinhislight.’Blood thrallsweremoving into the crowd, heavily armed and armoured.They shoved at the people,corralling sections of the populace and herding them away for processing under the watchful eyes ofSpaceMarines. Feeblefiststhumpedofftheircarapacearmour.TheBaaliteswerescreaming,shouting,weepingandwailing.Questions issuedfroma thousandmouths,mergingintoaharshbabble thatcouldneverbeanswered.‘Stayback!’roaredtheSanguinaryGuard.‘AwayfromthestatueofSanguinius.Away!’Danteturnedandmarchedbackwithinthepediment.Insidewasasmallcomplex,completelyunknowntothemenandwomenlivingaboveit.AfastmonotrackwaitedtotakehimtotheFortressoftheBloodattheedgeofthecity,whereaThunderhawkstoodby.Thefirstshotsrangoutbeforethebronzedoorssealedthemselveswithadoomythump,cuttingoutthescreamsofthepanickingmultitude.TheBloodAngelswerenotgentleinthisrecruitment.Resistancewasbrutallyquashed,andthesquarewassoonstickywithspilledblood.Similarsceneswererepeatedalloverbothmoons.Dante hated himself for what he was doing, but it was necessary. The guns were needed in Baal’sdefence,butmorewasatstake.Themorehumanbiomasshecouldremovefromeachofthemoons,themorelikelythemoonsweretosurvive.HemustdrivethetyranidstoattacktheArxAngelicumdirectly.Hewascountingonit.

Seeingthenecessityandstomachingthemannerof itsexecutionweretwodifferentmatters.Toensurethe survival of his Chapter he had exterminated worlds and now he brutalised his own people. Tobillions,CommanderDantewasahero,forcenturieshehadstriventobeworthyoftheirlove.Hefeltfarfromheroicatthatmoment.Hebetrayedhimselfbyfulfillinghisduty.Hehardenedhisheart.Worsewastocome.Far above the complex where Dante walked, over the square where the protectors turned on theprotected, the serene face of Sanguinius’ giant statue stared heavenward, away from the violenceperpetratedinhisname.

Dante held court upon theBlade of Vengeance. ChapterMasters came from bothworlds in flocks oftransports to thegathering.Itwasapre-missionedificationlikenoother.Therehadbeenpreciousfewgatherings of so many Space Marine lords in all the history of the Imperium, fewer still of all onebloodline,andonlyahandfulofsimilarsizeatBaalitself.Theyarrivedshornofpomp,forthetimeofdisplaywasdone.SpaceMarineswerewarriorsfirstandforemost, and although ceremony had its place in all they did,when battle came theywere sober andfocused.The decision to followDantewasmade.Therewere no slywords in deserted corridors, nojockeyingforpoweronewouldfindinanotherImperialforce.SpaceMarineswereweaponsclothedinmen’sflesh.TheywillinglyputthemselvesatDante’sdisposal.SeventeenChapterMasters, theiraidesandadozenotherofficerswholedChaptercontingentswheretheMasterwasnotpresent,satwithintheRedCouncilChamberontheflagship.Sixmorestoodbehindthechairsasluminoushololithghosts.DantewashumbledbytheirloyaltytoSanguinius;hewasundernoillusion,heknewfullwellthatwhentheylookedtohimforleadershipitwasnotDantetheysaw,butSanguinius’eternalgoldenvisage.Timeturnsaboutaspiral,hethoughtinsilentprayer.Weliveinapalereflectionofancienttimes.HerewearebutashadowofyouandyourLegion,GreatAngel.Givemethestrengththroughyourbloodtohonouryou.‘Mylords,’saidDante.‘Thetimehascome.’Heheldupahand;avoxrecordingcrackledoutofconcealedspeakers.‘…earofDestiny,reportthirty-two,missionma…three-zero-nine…other-SergeantCallistoreporting.’The recordingwasamess, cutupby sequenced interferencepulses,but theenemyhadnot completelysucceededinblottingitout.‘Position Dernos Five.’ The recording became stronger. ‘Hivefleet Leviathan is here. Tell thecommanderthattherearemillionsofthem…e…to…cannotachieveanaccuratecount.’Shoutingcamefrom the background, calls for signal boost and shield activation. The recording cut out, becoming abuzzsawdrone.Signalbeepspunchedthroughtheracket.WhenCallisto’svoicereturneditwasblurredand came with the rumble of weapons fire. ‘…are engaged.We are surrounded, I repeat, we cannotretreat,we…’Acryandanexplosioncutshorttherecording.‘ChapterMasterTechial,’saidDante.ThelordoftheDisciplesofBloodstoodfromhischair.Hehadnohelmeton.Themassofscartissuehehadforafacetwistedhismouthintoapermanentsnarl.‘ThismessagewasreceivedbytheRedBlade,alsoofmyChapter.TheSpearofDestinywasonthefarsideoftheAdernossystemwhenthetyranidsemergedfromthesystemfringe.Theywerelost.TheRedBlademadewarpandreturned.Theiraugursoundingsspeakofaswarmofunprecedentedsize.’

‘CaptainFenencounteredthematAldine,’saidDante.Acartolithquiveredintofocusoverthehollowcirculartable.Baalwasatthecentre,otherRedScarsystemsaroundit.Astarblinked.‘FromAldineitisthreepointfourlightyearstoAdernos.Thetyranidsaremakinggreatspeedtowardsus.’‘Wecanbethankfultheydonottravelthewarp,’growledMalphasoftheExsanguinators.‘Iftheydid,thenwewouldbedead.Evensotheymakeamockeryofnaturallawinmovingsoquickly,’saidZargooftheAngelsEncarmine.‘Theirshipsareslowin-system,butintheinterstellarvoidwehavenothingthatcanmatchthem.Weneedmoretime!’‘Wehaveafewsimilareye-witnessaccountsfromothersystems,’saidDante,‘andourscourgingfleetshaveencounteredscoutingswarmsatsixothers.Astropathicpleaprayerswerereceivedfromninemore.’Acrescentofminorstarsblinked,thentwelveonce-populousstarsystemswithinthesamevector.Allofthemwerelifelessnow,madesobytyranidconsumptionoratDante’sorder.‘Theyapproachonabroadfront,’saidDante.‘Sofaraswecantell,allfromthegalacticsouth.Thisgivesusanadvantage.Thusfar,we have denied them the opportunity to replenish their fleet biomass from the Red Scar systems.Therefore, the combinedmightof the fleetswill not bemuchoverwhatour intelligence suggests.Ourdefences are ready. The concentration of our forces and of the drafted populations around the ArxAngelicumshouldensurethatthefullforceofthetyranidattackfallsthere,wherewearestrongest,andnotonthemoons.’Dantepressedhishandsflatonthetable.‘Theseareonlysmallconsolations.LetitbeknownthatwefacethegreatestconcentrationoftyranidssinceHiveFleetBehemothpenetratedUltramar.’Hepaused.‘Theshadowisfalling.Ourastropathicprayersnolongerresisttheroarofthehivemind.Thewarpisbecalmedallaroundthesystem,itscurrentsarestillingaswateruponwhichoilispoured.Therewillbenomorereinforcements.MyrequeststomybrothersatDiamorgounanswered.Therewillbenomoremessages.TheGreatDevourerapproaches.’Sanguinius’facelookedateachoftheChapterMastersinturn.‘Theyarecoming.’

CHAPTERFOURTEENBROKENNECKLACE

Thejunker-tribesmanChrismsaeledGabrielSethoverrustyplains.Hescurried.Hescuttled.Hedidnotwalk like a trueman. Seth’s steady, heavy footsteps crunched upon the crusted surface of ancientwarglasswhileChrismsae’spattered,rodent-likeandfurtive.Thejunkerwasyoung,thoughreckonedoldforhistribe,sparelymuscled,hisgrowthstuntedbymalnutrition,teethalreadyrottinginhishead.Sethfoughtdownhiscontemptfortheyouth.HehadbeenusefulduringthefortificationofBaalPrimus.HehadshownSeththeancientredoubtsontheshouldersofthemoon’swreckedorbitalsthathismennowlabouredtorebuild.Chrismsae’sknowledgeofthedeepcavernsoftheNecklacewasinvaluable,andhehadacertainwiliness.Buthewasnotsufficientlygiftedtobeacandidateforapotheosis,orhewouldnotbelanguishingonthemoon.ChrismsaewasevasivewhenquestionedabouttheBloodAngelstrials.Seththoughthemusthavetried.AnyonelivinginahellholelikeBaalPrimuswouldtry.Now therewas this, a report of another force of SpaceMarines putting down on the far side of theNecklace thathadbeencorroboratedbynoothersourceand thatChrismsaewouldshowtonoonebutSeth.Perhapstheyouthmeanttoleadhimintoatrap.Hewasagreaterfoolthanhelookedifthatwereso.Oxidedustpuffedupwitheveryfootstep.TheareaaroundtheNecklacewasthickwithmetalrustedtopowderovertheglass.Theglasswasaproductoffirestormsfromreactorfailurewhentheorbitalscamedown. Seth suspected the Necklace had been bombed after their fall also; the ancients must havepossessed terribleweapons, for therewere areas still hotwith exotic isotopes twelve thousand yearsafter thesupposeddateof thewar. Imperialatomicswould renderanareadangerously radioactive forweeks, not years, never mind millennia. Whoever had attacked Baal Primus had been engaged in acalculatedattemptatsterilisation.Suchhatebetweenthetwoworlds;humanity’scapacityforhatredwasbottomless.Ifindeedthelegendsweretrue,andthewreckoftheparadisemoonshadnotbeenoccasionedbyxenosassault.Theancientattemptatexterminatushadfailed.Humanitywasapersistent,verminspeciesthatthrivedinwreckage.MankindhadsurvivedonBaalPrimustoproducesuchdebasedspecimensasChrismsae.Theboyturnedbacktohim,yellowedeyespeeringoverhunchedshoulders.HisheadwascoveredoverbythefilthypeltofacreaturenativetothedeepsoftheNecklace,possiblydescendedfromTerranrats.

‘Wemust go up, angel, to the top.’Chrismsae pointed to the squarewall of the unnaturalmountains.‘Otheronesonthefarside.’‘Mywarriorssawnothing,’saidSeth.‘ThissystemisfullofotherChapters.Theysawnothing.Idonotbelieveyou.’Chrismsaeshruggednonchalantly.‘Chrismsaenot lying.Henotknowing.ButChrismsaesees.Youseetoo,ifyoufollowme.’‘Ifyouarelying,Iwillkillyou,’saidSeth.Seth’svox-beadpinged.ChaplainAppollus’voicefollowed.‘Seth,thesewretchesarepitiful!Theywillnotworkhardenough.’Appollus’perpetuallyangryvoicebarkedinSeth’sear.‘Theeasternfortresswillnotbereadybytheestimatedtimeofplanetfall.’‘Whyareyoutellingmethis?’growledSeth.‘Workthemharder.’‘You should be here to tell them yourself!’ spat the Chaplain. ‘I invoke the rights of my rank toreprimandyou.Youneglectyourduties.’Seth thought thishypocriticalcoming fromAppollus,whoseownpenchant forviolenceoftenhadhimrushingaheadofhisbrothersintoadventuresofhisownwithlittlethoughtfortheconsequences.‘Youwillholdyourtongue,masterofthelost.YouwilloverseetheconstructionwhileIamgone,andyouarenottoprovideyourusualbrandofincentive.Weneedthemortals.’‘ThenhowamItomakethemwork?’‘Useyourimagination.’‘Youhavegrownsoft,Seth.’‘Insultmeagain,Appollus,Idareyou,’saidSeth.‘Performyourduty,finishthefortress.Iwillbebacksoon.’Hecutthevox.Chrismsaestaredexpectantlyathisgiantcharge,chewingonraggednailsashewaited.Sethnoddedathim.Chrismsaegrinnedandscurriedoff,butnomatterhowfasthislegsroseandfell,hecouldnotoutpaceSeth’sslow,deliberatestride.TimehadworndownthewoundsoftheLongAgoWar.Edgesofminorimpactcratersoverlaidononeanotherhadbeenabradeddowntosoftcircles,sothattheearthwaspocked,liketheskinofasurvivorofdisease.Wiryvegetationcoveredoverirregularhighlands.Theorbitalshadcomedowninalonglineandat first glance they appeared a naturalmountain range.Shock ridgeswrinkled theplains for dozensofmiles around them, the stone blendingwith themetal of the fallen orbitals in a facsimile of foothills.Erosionhadsmoothedoffsnappedspars,andcauseddeckstocollapse,sealingthehollowinteriorsawayfromsight.Onlyafteratimeexaminingthemdidthemountains’truenaturerevealitself.Itwastheretosee in the boxy strata of compressed decks, the strangely straight courses ofmountain streams, in thesquaremouthsofroom-caves,until theycrestedthelastridgeandtherecameapointwherethebrokenorbitalplaterosesuddenlyfromtheravagedcrustarounditinanunnaturalcliff.Therethebeginningofman’sartificewassharplydelineated.Sethrestedhishandonancientmetalandlookedupward.‘Nowweclimb,yes?Yes!’shoutedChrismsaeeagerly.HebeckonedtotheSpaceMarinelord,thathefollowintoaraggedcavemouth.Sethlookedback.Cragsofstonepushedupbyancientimpactblockedhisviewofthewaybacktothefortificationsite.Hispresencewouldnotfinishthefortsanyquicker,nomatterwhatAppollussaid.Shakingoffhismisgivings,heducked into thecave,andpassed through theflakinghullof theancientorbitalofBaal.Theyavoidedthedeepcaverns,skirtingthroughtheouterpassagestomaketheirwaytothesummits.The

route had been improved by generations of Chrismsae’s people, though in the most rudimentary way.Bridgesofsheetmetalcrossedholesinthefloor,rentsinbuckledwallsanddeckshadbeenwidenedintodoors.Roperailingshadbeenstrungalongsidethemostdangerousdrops.Theworkwascrude,likethewarrigsthejunkersrodearoundontheplainsbeyondthefalsemountains.Therewerechasmsthatcouldhavebeencrossedbyslightlymoreadvancedengineering,butthatappearedtobebeyondthejunkers.Anyculture thatcouldmaintaincombustionenginesshouldbeable tomakeaproperbridge,but the junkerscouldnot.Thedesperatenatureoftheirexistencehadprunedawayanyknowledgethatwasnotabsolutelyessentialtotheirsurvival.Theouterpassagesopened inmanyplaces to theoutsideworld.Seth’senhancedmind,somuchmorepowerful thanChrismsae’s,kept trackoftheirpatheasily,confoundingChrismsae’sattemptstoconcealtheroute.Theypassedasmallrust-redwaterfallgurglingfromonhigh,disappearingdownachuteintometallicdeeps.Ferricdepositsfurredthewalls,narrowingthepassageway.Theycrossedabridge,littlemorethanaplankofmetal,thatshookdangerouslyunderSeth’sweight.Onthefarside,half-hiddenbytheaccretionsofrust,therewasadoorway.‘Thatwayisquicker,’saidSeth.ChrismsaedidnotaskhowSethcouldpossiblyknowsuchathing.Sethwasanangel.Heknewthingsnobodyelsedid.‘No,no,mylord.Dangerous.Phantomsandghastsandworsearethere.Wegoupward.’Theboy’sfearof thedeepswasgreater thanthathehadofSeth,andhehurriedonaheadbeforeSethcouldcommandotherwise.Seth looked down the dark hallway. His Space Marine eyes saw a space still recognisable as amaintenancecorridor.Driftsofdetritusclutteredthecorners,anditsbulkheadswerebentoutoftrue,butthispartof theancientspacestationhadcomedownbelly first,and itwasmoreor less level.Adankwindblewfromsomewherefarinside.Sethgrunted,andfollowedtheboy.Theystayedwithintheorbitalforashorttime.Soonafterthewaterfall,thepathemergedthroughabent-tootheddockinggate,andtheycontinuedtheirascentthroughawoodofstuntedtreeswhoselimbsborewitnesstogeneticcorruption.Thatpartofthestationhadsustainedheavydamage.Itshullwascrumpled,givingchanceforthinsoilstoaccumulate.Inplacesitwaspossibletoforgettheoriginofthemountains,untilasquareanddeadlyshaftyawnedsuddenlyunderfoot,orthearmouredglassofanancientviewingportglintedfrombehindcurtainsoforangemosses.Ontheywent,followingancestraltrailsofChrismsae’speople.Thejunkershadnovehiclesthatcouldtraversethisterrain,allwastailoredtohiking.Wherethetrailgrewsteeptherewereropesandladders,or badlywelded steps to speed themon.These additionswere few, for theorientationof thedownedorbitalanditsbrokennaturemadeforeasyclimbing.InafewhourstheyhadwalkedseveralmilesfromtheFleshTearers’fortificationsandascendedseventeenhundredfeet.Smashedturretsandspiresmadethepeaksoftheartificialrange.Theirdullgreymetalswerecloakedinice,forthoughthealtitudewasmodest Baal Primus was a cold world. Dirty snow, the product of Baal Primus’ dysfunctionalhydrologicalcycle,crunchedunderfoot.Bynow,Sethcouldhearthenewcomers.Theskyrumbledsoftlytothecomingandgoingoflandingcraft.Chrismsaeledhimovertheshoulderofamassivehabitationsection.Darkholesofglasslessviewportswereglazedwithrippledyellowice.Chrismsae’sclothingwashardlyadequateforthelowlands,anduponthemountaintophewasbluewithcold.Histeethchatteredandhejammedhishandsintohisarmpitsperiodicallytowarmthem,andyethedidnotappeartonoticethegravityofhissuffering.Sethsupposedtheboyhadneverbeentrulywarm.

‘Downthere.’Chrismsaepointedtoashelfatthetopofacliff.‘Theothers.’Sethtrudgeddowntothecliffedge.Hisarmouredbootsbrokeancienticeandhehalfskidded,comingtoaswayingstopatthebrinkofthecliff.Thefarsideoftheorbitalwasashatteredmess.Ascrubbyforestclungtotheexposedinternalstructure,cloakingitinvegetation.Overtime,deepfieldshadformedinhollows,andtallertreesgrewfromthem.Thisrelativeverdancygaveoutoncemoreatthebeginningoftheplains.BaalPrimus’erraticrainsfellonly on the higher ground; beyondwas a cold badland of crevasses and razored ridges,made in thatmoment twelvethousandyearsagowhentheorbitalhadplungedfromthesky,andturnedparadiseintohell.Ithadchangedlittlesince.Somemilesouttheshockridgesspread,allowingforwidedepressionsbetween.Inoneofthemasmallarmymustered,theirtransportsroaringupintospaceandbackagain.Seth’sfacepulledtight.Centuriesofmishapshadledhimtoisolatehiswarriorsfromhisallies.WhentheFleshTearerswereinbattletheywere at themercy of the Red Thirst. Sanguinius’ dubious legacy gave them the strength to overcomeenemiesoffargreaternumbers,butifthethirstwerenotappeased,theiralliesorcivilianspaidtheprice.HispredecessorshadbeenlessscrupulousthanSeth,orperhapsmorecursed.Nearexcommunicationhadbeentheresult,andwithitthediscoveryoftheflawinSanguinius’gene-seedthatwouldhaveendangeredalltheChaptersoftheBlood.Hedidnotliketofightalongsideothers.HehaddeliberatelypositionedhisforceawayfromthethreeotherChapterssentbyDantetoprotectBaalPrimus.AndnowherewasafifthChapter,whodaredtoestablishthemselvesonhisdoorstep.Hecalleduponthetalentsofhisarmourtodiscoverwhotheinterloperswere.Aglintintheskygrewinstantly in his vision, magnified by his helm lenses until it became a Thunderhawk gunship with abatteredliveryofdarkredandsilver.OnlyoneChapterborethosecolours,aChapterthathadareputationforfrenziedsavagerythatexceededthatofhisownbrotherhood.‘TheKnightsofBlood,’hesaid.ThenewcomerswerestillarrivingbyThunderhawkandunarmouredlighter.Theshipstoucheddownwithoutshuttingofftheirengines,returningtoorbittoshuttledownmore.TwentyThunderhawkflightswasallithadtakentobringtheFleshTearersdowntoBaalPrimusfromthebattle-bargeVictus.Thereweresofewofthemleft.Eventhathadtakentoolong,forSeth’sarmourywasalmostasemptyashisbarracks.Thespiritsofhiswarmachineswerebloodthirstyliketheirmastersandthevehicleswereapttomakerash,aggressivemovesthattoooftenresultedintheirloss.TheKnightsofBloodhadtheedgeinnumbersofmenandmachines.Ifwhatheheardwastrueofthem,theywouldnot likelywithdraw.He toed thesnow,watched itcrunchandfritter topieces that tumbledfromtheedge.Dantedidthisonpurpose,hethought.He fought back his anger and called up to Chrismsae, huddled out of the wind in the lee of acommunicationsspinepokingupfromthesnow.‘Howlongtotheirlandingsite?’‘Ahalfday,mylord.’Halfaday.Forallhiscomplaints,Appolluswouldhavethingsundercontrolatthefortresses.HetrustedCodicierBelthieltokeephiminline.Thiscouldnotwait.‘Takemethere.Now,’saidSeth.

AsSethapproachedthelandingzoneoftheKnightsofBloodhesawthattheydidnotintendtostaythere.Nocastellaorothertemporarydefenceshadbeenestablished.Insteadtransportswaitedincolumntotakethemaway.Hecouldseenowarriors,assuming themtobewithin theirLandRaidersandRhinos.TheKnightsofBloodwereclosetomovingout.Itwasafoolishhopetoexpectthemtogofurtheraway.Heknewinthepitofhisstomachtheyintendedtomakeforhisownposition.

Baalpassedinfrontofthesun,bringingonthefirstofBaalPrimus’twolongnights.Nothingwassimplein theBaal system, not even night and day.TheBloodAngelswere the same,with their art and theirdenial.Heembracedhissavagery.Simplicitywasthekeytoholdingthethirstatbay.Hehadnotimeforgames.TheequipmentoftheKnightsofBloodwasasbatteredandspatteredwitholdbloodasthatofhisownChapter.ThevehicleinsigniafollowedCodexAstartesnorms,andfromthathesawthatthiswasanadhocformation,madeofunitsdrawnfromacrosstheChapter.Severalyearsago,theKnightsofBloodhaddeclaredacrusadeagainstalltheenemiesoftheImperium,but so savage was their campaigning, and so broad their definition of an enemy, that they had beendeclared renegades by the High Lords of Terra themselves. Before then they had been like the FleshTearers, looked upon warily by their allies. Now they were friendless, and persecuted, though theyprotestedthattheywerestillloyaltotheImperium.Anotherforceclose toextinction.Thoughtheyhadgonefurtherdowntheroadofdamnation thanSethandhiswarriors,itwasonlychancetheirpositionswerenotreversed.Steppingintotheirlandingzonebroughthimclosertotheirfate,andhedidsowarily.TheKnightsofBloodbroughtnosupplieswith them,only fightingvehicles.Emptyammunitioncrateslittered the sand, leftwhere theyhadbeen thrownopen.Thedustwaschurnedup.Sheetsof it floatedslowly on the breeze, final flags to wave off the departed Thunderhawks. All about was a sense ofdisarray, though themateriel scatteredaroundwasmodest.FewSpaceMarineChapterswouldbe thiscarelessindeployment.Thetanks,however,evincedorder.Theystoodsilentlyinthedesert.Windmoanedthroughtheirfittings.‘Remainhere,’ saidSeth toChrismsaeahundredyardsout from the lineof tanks.Thescrawnyyouthshookhisheademphatically.Heunslunghismakeshiftfirearm,andslippedintoSeth’sshadow.‘Stop!’AmetallicvoicerangoutfromtheLandRaiderheadingthecolumn.Itsengineburstriotouslyintolife.Lightssnappedon.Grindingtracksspunonthespot.WithservospurringtheLandRaiderbroughtallofitsconsiderableweaponrytobearontheChapterMaster.‘Stateyourname,’demandedthemetallicvoice.‘Stateyourbusiness.’‘Youknowwho I am,’ snarledSeth. ‘I amGabrielSeth,Master of theFleshTearers.You state yourbusinesstome.Thisismyareatodefend.’TheLandRaider’senginesroared.Thesightinglasersofmachine-spiritsdottedhisarmour.Seth’shandwenttothehandleoftheevisceratormag-lockedtohisbackpack.Hetensedtocharge,knowinghecouldnotmakethetankbeforeitslascannonsblewhimapart.Chrismsaewhimpered.Electricmotorwhineharshenedthewind.Abandofrubylightslititselfacrossthetank’sfront,wideningastheassaultrampcamedown.ASpaceMarinealmostasbigasSethstrodeoutintotheeclipticnight.Hisarmourwasfinelywrought,andhadmanyhonourspaintedandengravedintoitsplates,butallwerebattered.Thegoldwasknockedfromthelaurelwreathabouthishead,theskullsonhiselbowguardsandknucklesroughenedbyabrasion.Sethscentedtherotofoldgorehiddeninthecrevicesofthebattleplateasheapproached.ThewarriorhaltedbeforeSeth.Theysizedeachotherup,violenceatwitchaway.‘Ibroughthim,likeyouask!’saidChrismsae.Sethgave the tribesmanahard look.Seth’s facewashiddenbyhishelm,butChrismsae shrankbackfromhisanger.Theknighthadscarcelittlemoretimeforhim.‘Silence,wretch.Iwouldnotbragofyourcunning,lestSethherethinkittreachery.Heisnotknownforhisforgivingnature.’TheKnightofBloodturnedhisattentiontoSeth.‘Hailandwellmet,FleshTearer,MasterofthemostfearedwarriorsintheImperium.’

TheKnightofBloodextendedhishand.Sethlookedatit.Theknightcarriedhimselfwithexaggeratedcare.Itdidnotconcealtheredheatofthirst-bornfuryradiatingfromhim.‘Almostthemostfeared,’saidSeth.‘Leave,oryourmenmaytakebackyourbody.GivemeyournamesoIcanaddittomybattlehonours.’A hard laugh grated out from the other’s voxmitters. ‘I am Sentor Jool, Firstblade of theKnights ofBlood.There,yourquestionisanswered,butIwillnotleave.’‘Iwillmakeyou.’‘Youcannotfightusall,Seth,’saidJool.‘Everylifeisagameofonedeath.Doyoucaretobetyours?’Joollaughedagain.‘Whydidyoucomeonfoot?Doyouhavenoaerialcraft?’‘Whydidyoulandsofarfrommyposition?’counteredSeth.‘ThereputationoftheFleshTearersprecedesyou.Iwishedtohavemywarriorsready,incaseofalessthanwarmwelcome.’‘Ourreputation?’saidSeth.‘Whatofyours?’‘Wearekininmanyways.ThatiswhyDanteaskedustofightalongsideyou.’‘Dantesentyou.’AngercurdledSeth’sstomach,andherealisedtherewasaweakpartofhimthathopedDantewasnotinvolved.Hewasdisappointed.Thiswasnotbetrayal,exactly,butDanteshouldhavetoldhim.Sethwouldhaveobjected,butthatwasbesidethepoint.‘Youfightwithnoone,’saidSeth.‘Youdidnotattendthefeast.WhyshouldIbelieveyou?’SentorJoollookedupatBaal.Theplanet’snightsidewasdark,thefalsefirmamentofshiplightsbrightuponit.TheArxAngelicumwasbathedinsunlightonthefarside,invisibletothem.‘Wedofightwithothers.Wedidnot attend the feast.Weareunworthyof fellowship.The lureof theBlackRage is toopowerfulforus.Butwewillfightalongsideyou.’‘Isthataninsult,oracrassattemptatflattery?IfightalongsideonlythoseIchoose,andIdidnotchooseyou.’‘Youwill. There are very few of you left, I understand. These last decades have been hard on yournumbersevenasyourreputationcrawledbackoutofthepitofgoreyourpredecessorcastitinto.Wearethesame.’‘Wearenotthesame,’saidSeth.‘Wehavefewwarriors.Wehavethatincommon.Ifwecombineourforces,oursavagerywillbecomethestuffoflegend.Theenemywillbeheresoon.Wearecomingtoyoursidewhetheryouwishitornot.Ithasbeenpreordained.’‘Youhaveseenthis.’Joolnodded.‘Itcannotbedenied.WearethechosenofSanguinius.Weareblessedwithhisforesight.’ItwasSeth’sturntolaugh.Joolstaredathim.‘ThechosenofSanguinius?Arrogance.’‘We believe it to be true,’ said Jool evenly. ‘They are coming soon.We waited outside the systembounds,beyondaugurrange,andslippedinwhentheshadowgrew.Wehaveseenthem.Youwillseetoo,theywillbehereinafewdaysatthemost.Wefeelthem,wefeeltheirhunger.’‘Youcanfeelthem,’saidSethlevelly.‘Itoldyou,Seth,weareclosertoSanguiniusthananyother.Wehavehisgifts,aswellashiscurse.’SethlookedattheKnightsofBlood.Theyhadagoodnumberoftanks.Iftheywerecombinedwithhisown…‘No,’hesaidfirmly.‘TheFleshTearersfightalone.’‘Youfortify,’saidJool.‘Thisisnotyourwayofbattle.’

‘Ihavefought theswarmsbefore. Iwillharbouroursavageryso that itwillbebestused.You throwyourselfintotheirmawsifyouwish.’Joollaughedagain.HismirthirkedSeth.‘Tellmeoftheseforts.’‘Therearebastionson thewrecks thathavesurvived theages. Ihaveordered two rebuilt.Youknowthis.Youwillhavespiedonmefromorbit.’Joolsaidnothing.‘Wedonothavethespacetogarrisonyourwarriors,’saidSeth.‘Fightelsewhere.’‘Rustanddusthasthisworldinitsgrip.Hasthemetalnotrottedthrough?’askedJool.‘Notall,’saidSeth.‘Therearedefensiblepositionsinthesemountains,butnotmany.Thelocal tribesliveinandaroundthem.Againstthehivefleets,theirnaturewillworkagainsttheirdefence.Therearetoomanytunnelsfortheenemytoexploit.’‘Thenwhystayhere?’askedJool.‘Thatismyconcern,’saidSeth.‘Moveon,gotoStardamandtheBloodWings.Theymaywelcomeyou.’‘Youknowtheywillnot.’TheChapterMastersstaredateachotherforalongmoment.Abruptly,JoolbrokeeyecontactandcalledtoChrismsae.‘Boy,comehere.’Thetribesmanstepped,blinkingandafraid,outfromSeth’sprotection.‘Doyouknowtheoriginsofthesemountains?’Joolaskedhim.‘Theyareprettyjewels,starsrippedoutofBaalind’sNecklace,’saidChrismsae.‘GiventoBaalindbyBaal,andbrokenbytheirnasty,jealoussister.’Joolgesturedatthecrumpledmasses.‘Doyoubelievethis?’‘Itisstorywelearnfrombabehood,’saidChrismsaewarily.‘Wetellothers.Likestoriesofangels,allistruth.’‘Itisnottrue,’saidJool.‘Wouldyouliketoknowtheactualtruth?’The boy nodded hesitantly. On the eve of an invasion that would destroy his world, he was stillcalculatingifagoodstorymightbuyhimacoupleofhoursbyafire.Seth’sscornincreased.‘ThereisahallIwouldmostdearlylovetovisit,’saidtheKnightofBlood.‘Perhapsyoucantellmeifitstillexists?’Thejunkerfelltohisknees.‘Yes,angel.Ifyousaysso.’‘It is the exterior of an old enginarium, though youwill not understand that term.A large place, notdistortedbythefallofthestars.Thereiswritingthere.Showittome,andIshalltellyouthetruestoryoftheNecklace.’Theboywasconfused.‘Idon’tunderstand,lordangel.’‘Aplacedeepundertheground.YoucallittheFellholme.Toyouitisaplaceofdaemonsandhorror,butyourancestorslivedthere,once.Doyouknowit?’Chrismsaeshookfearfully.‘You arewastingyour time.The junker tribes are afraid of the orbital interiors,’ saidSeth. ‘You arewastingmytime.’‘Iamnot.Youshallsee.’JoolbentforwardsothathisbreathinggrillewaslevelwithChrismsae’sface.Thestinkofbloodcomingoffhimwasoverpowering.Oldandrottenthoughitwas,Seth’smouthwatered.‘YouknowtheplaceIspeakof,’Joolsaidinamenacingwhisper.‘Youwilltakeusthere,orIwillkillyou.’HedidnotaskSethifhewishedtoattend.Sethgrowledawarningatthisassumption.Theknight’spresencetuggedathisthirst.Hisfury,neverfarburied,roseinsympathytotherageradiatedbyhisdistantcousin.‘Youdonotwishtoseethehistoryofmenonthisplace,mostholytooursharedlord?’saidtheknight.

‘Whatothertasksdetainyou?’‘Thefortifications.’‘Your men and slaves can do that.When did the mighty Gabriel Seth stoop to dirty his hands withpeasant’stoil?’Sethstaredattheknight.Chrismsaelookedbetweenthemnervously.‘Iwillcome,’saidSeth.‘Idonotcareforhistory,butIwillnothaveyoulurkingundermyfeetunseen.’

Theywentbacktothemountainousderelicts.Thistimetheywentdirectlyinside,followingtunnelstotheheart of darkness beneath.Once theywere past the tangledmess of the northern faces thewayswentstraight,bentonlyslightlybyimpactandwardamage.Nonaturaltunnelcouldhavebroughtthemsofarsoquickly.Inotherrespects,theburiedcorridorsandchamberswerelikenaturalcaverns.Watertrickleddownthewalls intopoolswhereblind things swam.Flying creaturesburst from rooms filledwith their reekingdung, and flew chittering away.Minerals leached from high above formed organic-looking rills. Sethstoppedbyone impressive formation,brilliantwhitestreakedwithblueoxides in thecircleofhissuitlight.Therewasplentyofstoneusedintheconstructionoftheorbital,buthethoughtthecalciumintherockcamefromhumanbones.Ahalltheypassedthroughtwentyminuteslaterboreouthistheory;itwascrammedfromfloortoceilingwithatangleofremains.Thousandsofgreyskullslookedoutinsilentshock.Therewere other living things down there, humanoid creatures that staredwith coldly luminous eyesfromthedark, thenranawayfromtheSpaceMarines.Chrismsaewas terrifiedof them,buthis fearofJoolandSethwasgreater,andheledthemonintothedepthsofthewreckedorbital.Decay,ruination,death.TheyseepedintoSeth’sbones.TheNecklacewasakingdomofthedead.Theremainsofancienttimespresagedtheendcomeagain.Sethfeltthatinhishearts.There were few obstacles. Chrismsae evidently knew the route. He took them down random sidepassages that turnedout tobypass crushedarterialways,or corridors filled inbydebris fallsor still,blacklakes.Finally, they emerged into a vast space, so high Seth’s luminator beam faded before it reached theceiling.Joolmadeasatisfiednoise.‘Wearehere.’AstormofinsectsrushedfromawallwhenSeth’slighttouchedthem.Chrismsaecowered.‘There arewritingshere, doyouknow that?’ saidSentor Jool.He stepped into the room,hunting forsomething.‘ArecordofthefallofOldNight,andtheendofhumanity’sfirststellarempire.’‘Ihaveheardnothingofthis,’saidSeth.‘The Blood Angels regard themselves as superior to every other Chapter of the Blood,’ said Joolbitterly.‘Theirlibrariusholdssecretstheywouldneverdreamofsharing.’‘Thenhowdoyouknow?’‘Ourfounder,OustenGalael,wasanativeofthismoon.Weenvyyouprimogenitorsforyourclosenesstothesourceofourbloodline,butwewereluckyenoughtobeestablishedbycaptainsfromtheBloodAngelsthemselves.Galaelhadhisownrecords.’The Space Marines wandered apart, each heading by unintentional degree for different parts of thereactorhall.Thefloorwassoftwithguano.Noonehadcometothecaveinalongtime.Thereweresignsofancientoccupation.Platformssteppinguponesidemadethebasisofatallossuary,andthewallwashiddenbyneatlystackedbones.Sethapproachedit.Theboneswerebrittlewithgreatage,butthemarksofbutcherywereclearonthem.Thesepeoplehadbeencannibalised.

Joolmeanwhile had drifted towards the back of the cave.His light fell on jury-rigged catwalks andcollapsedsheltersmadeofmetalsheeting.TheslumpedshapeofareactorhousingloomedlargeastherisingBaalitemoonsinfrontofhim.Hesawsomething,andmadeforitinastraightline.‘Here!LordSeth,come.’Hebeckoned.Sethgrumbledinhisthroat.Joolwaitedbeforeahighwalladornedwithbrokenshrines.Somethinghadbeenwrittenuponthesurface.Ithadlongagocorrodedaway.‘Galaelwasaconsideredman, likeyourself,LordSeth,’ saidJool, searching thesurfaceof thewall.‘Hewasagreatscholarinhisownright,andalthoughhehadnopsychicabilityofhisown,thelibrariuswasalwayshispassion.Wehaveareputationforsavagery,anditiswellearned.Ispeaktoyounowincalm, but once in combatwe find it impossible to control our passions.TheBloodAngels have theirgracesandvirtues.Oncewehadasimilarsystemtoholdourfuryincheck.Itnolongerworks.Ourwrathat theenemiesofmankindgrowsunchecked,butour librarius remains important tous,asdohistories.Thereisknowledgeoftheoldtimesthere,gatheredfromthishallbyGalael.Galael’schronicleisattheheartofourcollection. In ithewroteextensivelyofwhathe learned fromhispeople,before timeandcircumstanceseparatedusfromBaalforever.’Joolpointedatthecorrodedwall.‘Thechroniclessaythatinthisplacetherecordsofthepeoplewereheld,engravedintothemetalofthefallenstarsafterthewar.Theyaregonenow,butIhavelongedtolookupontheplacewheretheywereoncedisplayed,forIknowthestorytheytoldbyheart.’Seth looked over the pittedmetal. Fragments of textwere visible, curves of letterswrapped aroundpockmarks,orextendingfromscalesofoxidisation.Streaksoffossilisedfaecalmattercoveredmuchoftherest.Whateverthewordshadsaidwaslosttotime.Chrismsaelookedblanklyupatthewall.Hewasilliterateandlackedtheimaginationtoseeanythinginthemarks,butJool’swordsheldhimspellbound.‘AlltheworldsintheRedScararesubjecttoitshumours,’saidJool.‘Todwellhereatall,menmusttaketheirelixirsorliveburrowedintotheground.Thatis trueofall theplanetswithinahundredlightyears of this place, all saveBaal.The configurationof the three bodies here deflects theScar’smoreterribleradiations.Whenmencamehereinthefirstgreatshipstheywereasnomadsstrugglingoverthedesert,andthissystemwasanoasistothem.BaalPrimuswasgentleenough,butBaalSecunduswasararerprizeyet,ananalogueofOldEarth,andrichinbiologicaldiversity.’‘AndBaal?’askedSeth.‘BaalwasasBaalis,’saidJool.‘Baaliseternal.Themoonsweresettled,Baalwasnot,notatfirst.Formany millennia, the records said, the worlds were isolated. The Scar kept them alone. No xenoscivilisationorhumanworldwaswithintherangeoftheirships.Togethertheydevelopedaculturewhoserichnesswashintedatintheserecords,beforetheywerelost.‘Galael’schroniclesuggestseventuallythepeopleofBaalwerereunitedwiththerestofhumanity,andagoldenagebeckoned.Allthisiswritteninthemostperfunctorymanner,barelysufficientforcontext.Itisstrange, I believe, how people take for granted the norms of their time, never thinking that they willchange,andsotheyleaveunrecordedthethingsthatwouldfacilitateunderstandingoftheirlives,ifonlytheywerewrittendown.’Jool’shelmmoved,hiseye-lensesglowinginthedark,asifhecouldreadwhathadoncebeenwrittenon thewall. ‘What is recorded ingreatdetail is themannerof the fall.Aswarconsumed the galaxy, the two moons were isolated again, but though their history was long, theirmemorieswereshort,andtheworldscouldnotrecapturetheirearlierself-sufficiency.FamineensuedandBaalSecundusdemandedthatthey,asthemorepopulousworld,begrantedtheprotectionoftheorbitalfacilities ofBaalPrimus, and thatBaalPrimusbe evacuated.BaalPrimus refused, citing their greater

militarystrengthandresourcesasreasonsfortheirownmoontobeprotected.Theoriginalrecordwasunclearhowthewarbegan,buttheorbitalswereamongthefirst targets.Maybetheyweredeliberatelydestroyed.Ipreferthetheorythatanattempttostealthemledtotheirscuttling,andtheyfellfromthesky,devastatingBaalPrimus.Itisprobablynottrue,butthereisacertainamountofpoetichubristhere.‘Ironically, Baalind and Baalfora were safe from the turmoil of the wider galaxy. The Red Scarprotectedthem,asitprotectedtheirdegeneratedescendantsuntilthecomingoftheGreatAngel.Intheendtheydestroyedeachother.’‘Thisisonlylegend,’saidSeth.‘Anditisirrelevant.’‘Doyoureallythinkso?’saidJool.‘InGalael’stime,thewritingwasstillreadable.Itellyouwhyitisrelevant: the terrorsof that timecameasmuchfromwithinaswithout,and this is somethingallweofSanguinius’linecanunderstand.Westruggleagainstthemonstersofourminds.You,GabrielSeth,havetriumphed.Warriorslikeyou…’JoolplacedonehandonSeth’sshoulder,theotheronthebackoftheneckofChrismsae.‘Youarealessontousallinhope.’‘Wearealldamned,’saidSeth.‘TheRedScarbringsmadnessanddeathtoallitsworlds,butourfuryisholy.’Helookeddownatthejunker.‘It isSanguinius’,andall themorepowerful.’JoolremovedhishandfromSeth’spauldron,andheldChrismsaefirmly.Theyouthmoveduncomfortably,butdidnotdarebreakfree.‘Notallofushavesuchfortitudeasyou,GabrielSeth.Insomeofus,thecurseismuchstronger.’Seth’spatiencewasrunningthin.‘Awasteoftime.Wearenotsaved.Ourendcomes.There.Isthatwhatyouwantedtohear?Letmetellyou,Iwillnotfollowyourroad.’Joollaughed,asinglegrunt,andclosedhisfist,crushingthevertebraeinChrismsae’sneck.Incrediblytheboystilllived.Joolhoistedhimintotheair,vitaerunningoutbetweenhissilverfingers.Chrismsae’sfeetjerkedintheair.Histongue,purplewithtrappedblood,pokedstifflyfromhismouth.Hiseyesrolledhelplessly.Joolturnedhisattentionupontheyouth,watchinghimdiewithdetachedcuriosity.‘Theselegendsholdalessonforyou,Seth.Alliesdiewhentheyrefusetostandtogether.Bloodshedistheinevitableoutcome.Wewillfightbyyourside.Wedarenotfightalongsideanyotherforce,butyouFleshTearersarethesameasus,pureandstrongandwrathful.Wewillfightwithyouwhetheryouwantitornot.’Sethcouldhavekilledhim then, in thedark.But theKnightsofBloodwouldhaveattacked theFleshTearers, and two Chapters would be lost to the defence in fratricidal squabbles. He growled infrustration.‘Willyoudrinkwithme,tosealourpactinblood?’JoolheldoutChrismsae’scorpsetohim.‘Iwill not,’ saidSeth, even though salivapooled inhismouthat the richblood scent risingover thestenchofguano.‘Whynot?Theyarecattle.Wearethecanidsoftheherder.Isitnotrightthatweshouldfeedfromtheherd?’‘Hewasawretch,buthedidnothavetodie,’saidSeth.‘Youshouldnothavekilledhim.’‘Howmanysimilarinnocentshaveyourwarriorsbutchered?’‘Notincoldblood,’saidSeth.‘ThisiswhyyouaredamnedandIamnot.’‘Isit?’saidJool.‘Whatwashislife?Hewouldhavediedanyway.HisendservestheEmperorbetterthisway.’Withatearingwrench,herippedChrismsae’sheadfree.Bloodranoverhisbatteredgauntlets.Seth’smouthwateredallthemore.‘Now,willyousupwithme?’‘No,’saidSeth.Heclenchedhisjaw.Hisangel’steethextendedandprickedatthesoftmeatofhisinnerlip.‘Iwillnotsupwithyou.Iwillnotfightwithyou.Keeptoyourownpositions.Weshallstayonours.Therewillbebloodshedifyoudisagree.YourswillbethefirstheadItake.’

Joolmadeadisparagingnoise.‘Ifyouinsist.Verywell.Wewillventurenocloserthanthreemilestoyourposition.’‘Tooclose,’saidSeth.‘Shallwefight?’saidJool.WhenSethdidnot reply, Joolcontinued. ‘Thenwekeep toourcommonenemy. Iwill seeyouon thefieldofbattle,Seth,asanally.Ihaveseenit.’HedroppedChrismsae’smangledcorpseandreachedforhishelmseals.‘Now,pleasedepart.Ineedtofeed,andIprefertobeunobserved.’Sethwasonlytoohappytooblige.

CHAPTERFIFTEENANGELICSACRIFICE

Blazinglightfloodedthethroneroom.Afigureinburnishedarmour,hisfeaturesobscuredbytheglare,stoodbefore theGoldenThrone.Awfulmachinespoundedawayineveryquarter.Thousandsofcoffinswiredintothemechanismshiduntoldtalesofsuffering.ThewrongnessofthedevicesgnawedatDante’ssoul.Inthecentralthronewasawizenedfigureforwhosebenefitthisatrocitywascommitted,yethewasoblivioustoitashewastoallelseonthemortalplane.Hesatunmovingasthegoldenwarriorpreparedforbattle,yetanotherhumanlifetobesacrificedfortheEmperor.Somethingtwistedtowardsthethrone.Thegoldenfigureraisedhissword.Darkness.Dante’seyesslidopenslowly.Disoriented,ittookhimasecondtorealisehewasinhisbedchamberintheHeavenwardRedoubtoftheArxAngelicum,andnotonTerra.Hesatup.Thesheetsofhishugebedwhisperedoffhisskin.Anextravagantclocktickedsoftlyattheothersideofhisbedchamber.Dantehadbeenasleepforthreehours.Once,Dantewascapableoffightingfordayswithoutrest.Nowhetooksleepwhenhecouldandwokewearyfromit.Ifhecould,hewouldhaveenjoyedtheLongSleep.Corbulowarnedhimfromthesarcophagi.TherewererisksforDantehiddenintheholymachines.Age.Alldowntohisdamnedage.Herestedhisfaceinhishands.Thetextureofhiswrinkledskindisturbedhim,foradreamingmanneverseeshimselfold.Heremainedthatwayforseveralminutes,breathingslowly,untiltheairpassinginandoutofhislungsabsorbedhisattentionandcalmedhim.Withaquick,decisivebreath,hethrewbackthecoversandrosefromhisbed.Hismusclesached,anoldman’spainsafflictinganimmortal.Rotationsofhisshouldersworkedoutsomeofthestiffness,butbynomeansall.Hethoughttocallforhisequerry.Arafeo’snamediedonhislips.Themanwasgone,agedfromyouthtosenescence inwhat seemed tobeminutes toDante.Hehadput off appointing anewequerry from thebloodthralls.Therehadnotseemedtobemuchpoint.Hedressedinarobestiffwithembroideredangelsandfetchedhimselfacupofwinelacedwithblood,

aswas the custom of theBloodAngels.Unremarkable, save thatDante had eschewed the drinking ofbloodforlongcenturiesuntiltheselastmonths.Danteswirledthewinearoundthegobletbeneathhisnose,allowingthescentofspicesandvitaetostirhissluggishhearts.Heshuthiseyestosavourit.Thesmellofblood.Thesmelloflife.Hehadhadthedreamofthegoldenwarriormanytimes.Whetheritwasagenuinevision,hecouldnottell.Dantekeptthedreamtohimself,knowingthatitsrecurrencewouldbeseenasegocentricityonhispart.Thisneedforthefiguretobehim,forhimtohaveonetrulyworthydeedtodobeforehislifewasdone…Itwasaweakness,andhedidnotcaretosharethat.Hewasamusedbyhowmuchhetriedtoconvincehimselfhewasthewarrior.Hehadneverseentheface,thoughfromtheformofthearmourthefigurewasaSpaceMarine,andnotamortaloramemberoftheAdeptusCustodes.Didheseewings?Hediscountedthem.IfitwereDante,wherewashisaxe?Well,Dantetheorised,hemighthavelostit.Besides,visionswerefigurative,notliteral.Unfortunately,theysharedthatcharacteristicwithdreams.HesmiledathisconceitthathewouldsavetheEmperor.While thisdesirehehadwasundoubtedly indulgent,heneeded it.Heneededa reason tocontinue, tofight thedailywoeandexhaustionhispositionburdenedhimwith. If therewasharmin that, itwasnogreatone.Todaywas different.Hemulled it over as he sipped hiswine, puzzled.One detail of the vision hadchanged.Eachtimewhenhehadseenthegoldenwarrior,theEmperor’sswordwasuponhisunmovingkneeasithadreputedlybeenfortenmillennia.Thatlasttime,itwasmissing.Hefearedthattobeabadomen.Almostinconfirmationofhismisgivings,abelltolledinthedistance.Hisheadcameupsuddenly.Thesounddrifted fromhearingandback, inaudible in thatdeeplyburiedroom toallbutaSpaceMarine’sears.Hestrode fromhisbedchamber,bursting throughdoubleebonydoors into his private dining room.His feet padded overmosaics of carnelian, all the detail given indifferingshadesof red.The tollingbellgrewlouderashemarched to theglassdoors leadingontohisbalconyandwentoutintotheWellofAngels.The deep throat of the volcano plunged away.Graceful patterns of lumen light illuminated the plazathousandsoffeetbelow.ThemoistscentsoftheVerdisElysiadriftedupfrombroadterraces.Thewellwasaplaceofpeace,untilthebellofwarrang.Itresoundedloudlyroundtheshaft.Fromhighaboveawildhowlingcompetedwiththestatelytolling.DanteraisedhiseyestotheovaloflilacmorningskytrappedbytheArxMurus.Towerspointedupwardliketeeth.Oneinparticulardrewhisgaze.TheinmatesofAmareowereawake,allofthembayingandshriekingforblood,theirmonstrouscriessoundingthroughoutthefortressmonastery.Theirhowlswereasuresignwarwasuponthem.Dantehurriedbackinsidetoahardlinedvoxpanelsetintothefarwall.Aknockstoppedhimbeforehereachedit.‘Enter!’hecalled.Sanguinary Guard opened carved doors of anthracite. Beyond lay his state rooms, banqueting hall,armoury,privatechapelandotherchambersofhispalace.CaptainBorgiostoodinthedoorway,armouredforbattle.‘Borgio,thedamnedscreamforblood.Ithasbegun,hasitnot?’Borgio nodded. ‘My lord, I have urgent communication from the picket fleets. Our long range augur

buoyshavebeentrippedacrossmultiplecorewardsectors.’Borgiolookedalmostapologeticashedeliveredthenews.‘Thetyranidsarehere.’

Fully armed and armoured, Dantemarched towards the Basilica Sanguinarum, the full strength of hisSanguinaryGuardflankinghim.Musicdiditsbesttoconcealthesnarlingandanguishedshoutsofthoseinthe grip of the thirst rising from the cathedral, but it could not. Nothing could, not themass, chantedrepetition of the Moripatris as the scions of Sanguinius knelt in prayer to stave off madness, or theclangorouspealsshakingthefortress.ThebellintheCitadelReclusiamhadbeenjoinedbyothers.Theywouldnotceaseringinguntiltheinvasionbegan.TheArxAngelicumwas franticwithactivity.Therewerenot sufficientholy spaces forall theSpaceMarines in the basilica, so the brothers of theBlood knelt in groupswherever they could find space.UnderthesolemnguidanceoftheirChaplains,theyprayedformasteryovertheBlackRage.Thestirringsofthethirsthadcomeuponthemunexpectedlywiththearrivalofthehivefleet.Bloodthrallsranabouteverywhere,preparingforimminentattack.Onlytheservitorsseemedunhurried,butthesheernumbersofthemclumpingaboutbetrayedthegravityofthesituation.‘Makeway!Makeway!’shoutedSepharan.‘Makeway!’Nonehaddifficultyobeyingtheorder.Thecorridorswereclearedinstantly,allowingDante’spartytotrampby.At thegatesof theBasilicaSanguinarumvariousdignitariesawaitedthecommander.Theytooparted.Allbutone.ChapterMasterGeronof theAngelsNuminousstoodalonebefore thegiantgates.Heheldhishelmetclampedunderonearm.Hisfacewaspaleandcontortedwithfury.‘Standaside,MasterGeron,’saidSepharan.‘Thecommanderwillpass.’‘No,’saidGeron,stifflyshakinghishead.‘Standaside!’commandedSepharan.TheSanguinaryGuardraisedtheirangelusboltguns.‘Youthreatenme?’saidGeroninastonishment.‘Whenyouallowthisabomination?’Hepointedbehindhimto thegates.Frominsidecame the roaringandpitiful shoutingofSpaceMarines in thegripof theBlack Rage. ‘You treat them to this honour? The fallen should be incarcerated in the Tabernacle ofRepentance. They must undergo the shriving before they are expended. They shame us all with theirweakness.’ His features quiveredwith emotion. ‘An angel should be pure and noble. Thesemindlessbrutesareanembarrassment.’‘Standaside!’demandedSepharan.‘Youwillnotbeaskedagain.’DantesteppedforwardandrestedacalminghandonSepharan’sarm.‘Geron,’ he said. ‘While your warriors fight for me, all will be accorded the same respect as thebrothersinmyChapter.’Ordamaelspokeupfromhispositionby thegates. ‘Theyareblessed in thismomentwithSanguinius’vision.’‘Theyarecursed,andunclean,’saidGeron,roundingontheChaplain.‘Iwillnothavethis.’‘Yougrantedmecommand,’saidDante.‘Makeanyattempttoremoveyourwarriorsfromthebasilica,andIwillkillyoumyself.DoyoureallywishtoplungeourbrotherhoodintowarastheGreatDevourerbearsdownonus?Showpitytoyourmen.Theyareyourbrothersyet.’Geron snarled. Dante’s Sanguinary Guard interposed themselves between the two Chapter Masters.Geronmadetomoveforward,buthisownSanguinaryhighprieststeppedtohissideandfirmlytookhiselbow.

‘Itgoesagainstourbeliefs,mybrother,’hesaid,lowandurgently,‘butnowisnotthetime.’GerongaveDante a lookof pure fury. ‘I shouldhave expectedno less fromyou,Dante,whoopenlyconsortswith theKnightsofBloodand invites the savageGabrielSeth intohis confidence.You standshouldertoshoulderwiththosewhowouldembracetherage.’Hespatonthefloor.Themarblesizzledwiththeacidinhisspittle.‘Youwillobeyme,’saidDante.‘Standaside.’‘Forhonour’ssake, Iwillobey,as Ivoted toobey,’saidGeron.HepointedatDante. ‘But Iwillnotforgetthisslight.’Geron’spriestmovedhimtotheside.‘Prayopenthegates!’boomedSepharan.TheBasilicaSanguinarum’shighportalcreakedopen,lettingoutthefullvolumeofthehowlingofthedamned.SpaceMarines ofmanyChapterswere still being brought into the cathedral asDante entered. Somearrived in a state of calm, glazed confusion, or were brought in unconscious. Others needed to bewrestledintoplace.‘Thisisallofthem?’askedDanteofOrdamael.‘The Moripatris continues, my lord, but new incidences of rage are tailing away. This will be themajority.’Majorconflictwasalwayspresagedbytheawakeningof theprisonersof theTowerofAmareo.Thatsuch debased beasts should be so close to Sanguinius frankly horrified Dante, but by dint of theirhyperactivegene-seed their sixthsensewassharpereven than thatof theLibrarians,and their rage thefirsttokindle.Whenwarspreaditsredwings,theprisonersofAmareoheraldedit.IftheAmareansawokeandbayedforlivingflesh,theBloodAngelsknewtoexpecttheirownvisions.Theypreparedthemselvesasbesttheycould,steeledfortheritualoftheMoripatris,forthememoriesofSanguiniusintrudedstronglywhentheAmareanssang.InthosetimesitwascertainthatseveraloftheirnumberwouldsuccumbtotheBlackRageandbelost.Onlythistimeitwasnotseveralwhohadfallen.Itwasnotdozens,astheworstcrisescouldprecipitate.Itwashundreds,fartoomanytobecontainedinthechapelsusedforthepurposeofblessingthedamned.ThecathedralwasfullofafflictedbrothersfromeveryChapter.Fromdifferingbrotherhoodsinlife,intheirlivingdeaththeyfoundacommonhell.Theirarmourwasblackandcrossedwithredsaltires,withlittlebuttheirbadgestoshowfromwhichChaptertheyhailed.Itwasasorrowfulspectacleofunitythatbroughtthemagnitudeofthecursehometoallwhosawit.The damned behaved according to their character. Some struggled too violently to be armoured, andknelt naked on the stone.Otherswere sunk deep into trances or prayer. The tranquil yet authoritativewordsoftwodozenChaplainscalmedothers.Thestatesofmanywerenotconstant,butshiftedfromonemode of behaviour to another as their self-control waxed and waned, and so more than half wererestrainedbyheavychainsaboutthewrists,anklesandnecks.Dantetookhispositionattheheadofthebasilica,beneaththestatueofSanguinius.Ordamaelbeganhisshoutedoratoryassoonashewasinposition.Therewaslittleceremonytotheritual.Thenatureofthecongregationdemandeditbeconcludedswiftly.‘MaySanguiniuswatch over you, as you enter the last trial of your life,’ beganOrdamael. ‘May theEmperoruseyouwhileyourarmsremainstrong.Mayyourfuryfireyouasyoufightyourlast.’Ordamael intoned the prayer loudly. Calming choral music softened the atmosphere, leaching awaythoughtsofbloodandreplacingthemwithcontemplativesorrow.GraduallytheswollenDeathCompanybecamequietasdeeplyembeddedhypnoindoctrinationwascalledintoactivationbythewords.Itwas

potentbutitwouldnotlast.SerfsfromvariousChapterscameoutfromhidinginthecathedralaisleandmovedswiftlyamongthedamned,affixingdeathribbonstonewlyrepaintedarmour.‘Inthenameofhumanitydoyoutreadthedarkroadtoredemption,’continuedOrdamael.‘Andasyourenemiesfleefromyourrighteouswrath,shallyoufindpeaceindeath.’The most violent battle-brothers were quiescent now, and could be approached with minimum risk.Well-practised hands undid chains, quickly completing arming rituals while theDeath CompanywerelulledbytheLitanyofDoom.‘Byyourdeedsshallyebeknown.Byyourrageshallyouforgeyourdeeds.’OtherprayerswerewhisperedbyotherChaplains.Ordamaelwasnot themostseniorChaplain in thehost; therewere over a dozen Reclusiarchs at Baal alone, but the others deferred to his authority, ashighest-rankingBloodAngelsChaplain.Hewas thePaternisSanguis,masterof theTowerofAmareo.Thetitlecarriedgreatweight.Theserfsandthrallswithdrewasquicklyastheyhademergedfromtheirhidingplaces.TheChaplainsbegantorousetheircharges,unlockingtheirchainsfromthefloorandbiddingthemgettotheirfeet.‘In blood, there is life,’ saidOrdamael, reaching the last stanza. ‘In life, there is thirst for blood. Indeath,thethirstdies.Sanguiniusbewithus,asheiswithyou.’TheprayervariedbetweenChapters.Thesentimentswerethesame.Specially adapted servitors came to the aid of the Chaplains, strong enough to restrain the damnedshouldtheygoberserk,expendableenoughthatitdidnotmatteriftheyfailed.Ordamaelbeckoned tohispeers.At therearof thecathedral, the threeRageGatesopenedonto largeliftercages,readytoconveythedamnedtothechambersintheDungeonsofAmareowheretheywouldbehouseduntilneeded.Dantebowedhisheadinrespectastheyfiledout.ThedamnedweresoothedbytheirChaplains,thoughtheywere alreadygrowing restive again.Dantewondered for amomentwhatLemartesmight dowithsuchaforce,butLemarteswasatDiamor,lightyearsaway.Thelastofthedamnedwasshepherdedintotheliftersandhischainssecuredinplaceonthewall.Themoreaggressivewerebeginning to shoutagain,utteringheartbreakingwords first spoken tenmillenniaago,andrepeatedmanytimessince.‘Why?’onedemandedtoknow.‘Whydidyoubetrayus,Horus?’Thegatesslammedshut,cuttingoffhisquestion.Therewasnoanswertogive.

CHAPTERSIXTEENVOIDWAR

SituatedbeneaththeCitadelReclusiamatthetopoftheHeavenwardRedoubtwasthePrimeStrategiumoftheBloodAngels.Pale red sunlight filtered through armourglass windows twenty feet thick. Wide horizontal slits, cutthroughtherockontheothersideoftheglass,gavesweepingviewsoutofbothsides,intothedesert,andtheplungingWellofAngels.Severalhundredpeoplewerepresent, anda tensehushwasupon them.Servitors,mortals andSpaceMarineswereengagedindutiesthatcoulddecidethefatenotonlyofBaalandtheBloodAngels,butofthe segmentumbeyond.Eachpieceof thewarmachinewas asvital as thenext,whetherhuman thrall,cogitator sub-array or decorated captain of the Adeptus Astartes. Commander Dante understood thatbetterthanmost.Underhispurviewtheyoperatedexcellently.Adozenseparatecommandstations, individually taskedwithoverseeinganaspectofBaal’sdefence,weresituatedaroundthecentralhololithictacticarium.Aboutitseerieprojectionsphereweregatheredabandofheroesofrarerenown.ManywereregardedastheepitomeofImperialvirtueintheirownright,buteventhesegreatwarriorswaiteduponCommanderDante’sword.Dantestooduponaraisedplatform,hiseyestrainedontheprojectionalongwitheveryoneelse’s.ThespheredepictedtheBaalsystem.TheredstarBaloranditsworlds;thetripletsoftheBaalitesubsystem,thesolitarygasgiantSet,theclumpedasteroidfieldthatseparatedouterandinnersystem,andthecold,distantworldofAmairaloneonitssix-hundred-yearjourneyaroundthestar.Balorwasnotafruitfulsun.Ithadfewchildren.‘Expandthefieldofobservation,’saidDante.‘Showmetheouterbounds.’Aquietwhirrof lensespulledback theview.Balorshrank to thesizeofapomegranate.Baaland itsmoonswerebrightdotscirclingeachother.Theotherworldsglinted.OnlygaseousSetwasbigenoughtoseeasmorethanapointoflight.Faroutattheedgeoftheprojectionfield,wheretheimagebegantoloseintegrityandfocus,wasBalor’scometarybeltdepictedonthehololithasaswarmof tinydotsmovingwith theagitationofbacilli inadropofwater.

Just insidethisultimateshellof thesystemwastheSpaceMarinefleet.Theassemblednaviesofnighthree scoreChapters divided into four battle groups.Theywaited at a distance fromone another.Thedirectionof the tyranid fleet’s approachwasknown,whereexactly itwouldbreach thecometarywallwasnot.Onahumanscale,theshipsoftheImperiumwerecolossi,miles-longchunksofmetalaslargeascities,home to tens of thousands of cyborgs, thralls and SpaceMarines. In the vastness of space theywerespecks.Shiftingshoalsofdatatagsdisplayedtheirposition.ByDante’sleftshoulderstoodtheMasterofInterpretations,thebloodthrallliaisonwiththeastropathsoftheChapter.Voxsignalswouldtakehourstoreachthefleet.Bythepowerofancientscience,hololithiccommunicationwasinstantaneousacrossin-systemdistances,butfragileinthefaceoftheshadowinthewarp.Theastropathswouldbethelastlineofcommunicationwiththefleets.Butallmeans,electronicorimmaterial,werevulnerabletothetyranids.AnearthquakerumbledthroughBaal,upsettingtheprojection.TheArxAngelicum’sstonemoaned.‘Theyareclose,’saidCaptainEssusoftheBloodSwords.‘TheytroubleBaal.Thisisthesignoftheircoming,thegraviticpulse.’‘Whatofthewarp?’askedDantequietly.‘Theshadowisstronger,butourastropathsarestillincontactwiththefleet,mylord,’saidtheMasterofInterpretations.‘Whenwilltheycome?’askedGeron.Histensionspokeforthemall.Noone replied.Allof themremained focusedon thehololith.Dantehadsethispieceson theboard.Twenty-onebattle-barges,ninety-four strikecruisersandseveralhundredsmallercraftwould interceptthe hive fleet under the command ofBellerophon aboard theBlade of Vengeance. Theywould strike,crippleasmany largevessels as theycould, then fallback toBaal.Six thousandSpaceMarineswereaboardthosefleets.TwelvethousandwereonBaal,sixthousandonBaalSecundusandfivethousandonBaalPrimus.TheywerethelargestgatheringoftheBloodsincetheHorusHeresy.Timewouldtellifitwouldbeenough.They stood for hours staring at the hololith. Itwas almost a reliefwhen the first blinking red dot ofenemycontactsprangintolifeattheedgeofthesystem.‘Theyhavecome,’saidDante.Achoirofthrallsbeganthe‘Psalmprotectiveagainstplanetaryinvestment’.Thelightschanged.Threatindicatorsratchetedupfromnulltobeta-severe.Thefirstreddotwasaloneforbutamoment.HundredsmorebegantoblinkacrossawidesegmentofBaal’ssystemedge.Manywerefeeder-scouts,thesolitaryeyesofthehivefleet.Severalprovedtobethetipsofattacktendrils.Behindthemcamelong,sinuousribbonsofotherdots,questingforprey.Theywereformingupacrossabandofspacelittleoverasingleastronomicalunitwide.AlreadytheSpaceMarinefleetsweremanoeuvringtocounter.GiantmachineswithintheArxMurusgrowled,pushinguphugeblocksofstoneintothewindowslots.Theroomshookwiththeeffortofmovingsomanythousandtonsofrock.TheredlightofBalorbecameasliverfineasadiffuselas-beam.Emergencylumenscrackledon.Machinelightswerestarsinthegloom.‘Weareatwar,’saidDante.

Erwin sat on the edge of his command throne, unblinkingly staring out of the oculus of the SplendidPinion.Other shipsofhisChapterwaitedwithhim, theirbristlingweaponscastingblack shadowsontheirsidesinthestarshineofdistantBalor.TheglowfromtheRedScarwasalmostasbrightasthesunthatfarout.Erwinhatedlookingintoit,itwaslikegazingatasuppuratingwound,butstillhecouldnot

tearhimselfaway.‘Anysignyet?’‘None,astherewasnonethreeminutesagowhenyouasked,captain,’saidAchemen.Theservilesweregladheanswered.Noneofthemlikedtospeakwiththecaptainbeforebattle.Noteventhefivebattle-brothersofAchemen’ssquadstationedasguardsonthedeck.Erwinsnarled.‘Allthisdamnedwaiting!Wherearethey?’Histhirstteasedhim,fuellinghisfrustrationsothathisskincrawledunderhisbodyglove.Hisfisttensedsohardhisarmouredfingertipspushedinthemetalribbingcoveringhispalm.‘Damnthem!’hesaid.‘Damnthem!’Hewaspantingquicklyandshallowly.Hecouldsensethethirstoftheothersontheshipandvesselsaroundhim.Battle-hungerwastheworstformofstarvation.‘Theywillbeheresoonenough,brother,’saidAchemen.‘Donotpatroniseme,firstsergeant!’snappedErwin.‘YoufeelthesamewrathasI.’‘Perhaps,’saidAchemen.‘ButIcontrolitbetter.’Erwin’sheadwhippedroundatthisimpudence.Hebaredangel’steethalreadyatfullextension.‘Mylords!’TheServileoftheWatchspokeup.‘Ihavehundredsofincomingcontacts.’Tocsinssounded.Onthetacticaldisplaysofthecommanddeckaswarmofredlightsmadeitselfknown.‘Revision.Therearethousands,’saidtheServileoftheWatch.‘Tensofthousands.’Erwin leaned forward. Nothing was visible in the oculus, only the vileness of the Scar and theoccasionalglintofacometturningaboutitsaxis.‘Howfast?’askedErwin.‘Super-lightspeed,mylord,’saidtheservile.‘Myaugursshowmassivegraviticdisturbancesatseveraldistinctpoints.’‘Adjustorientationtowardsthenearest,’saidErwin.‘Adjusting,’saidtheServileoftheHelm.Astheservilespokethesewords,Erwinwitnessedaripplingoftheviewforward,thebendingoflightduetomanipulationofgravity.Somethingwashidingbehindthedistortion.‘Theretheyare,’saidErwin.‘Theretheyare!’‘AllvesselsoftheAngelsExcelsis.Prepareforbattle.’Erwinsnorted.Follordarkhadneverbeenonetomakegrandiosespeeches.Theripplingcutout.Foramomenttheoculuswasfullofstreaks.Thesecompressedthemselvesintothesolidshapesof tyranidbio-ships thatshonewetlywithdeepspaceice.Small, teardrop-shapedvesselsbristlingwithsensorspineswerebreakingfromthefore,headingbacktowardstheshelterofthevesselscomingbehind.Erwinlaughedsavagelyandhammeredhishandontothelion’sheadofhisthronearm.Untoldthousandsof ships were ahead of him. Green glows lit up behind them as they engaged bioplasma drives, andadvancedtowardsBaal.Thevoxcamealivewithordersflyingbetweendozensofships.‘Attack!’commandedFollordark.TheSplendidPinionlurchedasitsenginestacksburnedfullahead.‘Atlast,’grinnedErwin.‘Aworthyfoe.’

Aboard theBladeofVengeance,Bellerophon oversaw the unfolding voidwar through the ship’s vastmainhololith.‘Angels Vermillion interdiction force!’ commanded Bellerophon. ‘Come about and bringweapons tobearonadvancingtendriltwelve-alpha.’

ThetacticaldisplaysoftheBladeofVengeancewereamaddeningblurofvessels.Bellerophonsquintedat them in turn.The four battle groups had performed to their plan, coming together as a square, theirsquadronsofshipsformingthetowersofaverticalcastle.Smallergroupssplitofffromthemain,dartingout into the onrushing swarm to destroy prime targets and sow disruption among the invaders throughboarding actions and rapid torpedo strikes. This tactic still had its value, though it was no longer asefficaciousasithadbeen;thetyranidshadidentifiedtheploysomeyearsagoandadaptedtheircommandnet,spreadingback-upsynapticnodestolesserships.DiscoveringwhichhousedthemwasamixtureofcarefulobservationandEmperor-guidedguesswork.The Blade of Vengeance flew in tandem with its sister, the Bloodcaller. Together they put out atremendousamountoffire.WithinhalfanhourofthemencounteringtheleadelementsofLeviathan,spacewasfullofbrokenshellfragmentsandgiantchunksofflesh.Frozenbodyfluidsdriftedincloudsbetweenthecorpsesofbio-ships.Butforeveryshipdestroyed,thereweretwodozenmoretotakeitsplace.Thegreatestof the livingvesselswere truly titanic,dwarfingeven thebattle-barges.Vastandslug-like, theNornshipswereencrustedinancienticeandstolenasteroidsgluedtogetherwithexcretedresinsthatwasasgoodasanyarmour.Thehiveshipshadnoenergyfields,butprotectedinsidetheirjacketsofstoneandfrosttheysailedthroughthefullfireofImperialvesselswithlittleilleffect.Onelayahead;theBladeofVengeanceploughedthroughdozensofsmallervesselsinanattempttointerceptitbeforeitbrokethroughthefleetoftheGoldenSons.Tocsinsandalarmschimed,rang,beepedandshouted.Thoughthetyranids’weaponrywaslesspotentthanthatoftheImperium,theyhadalotmoreofit.Thevoidshieldsflexedandthrummedtotheimpactoftorpedospinesandlivingmissiles.Fasthunterbeastsstreakedpastonthegreenfiresofbioplasmicjets,spittingbarbedquillsfromdrippingorifices.Convulsingtubesrangeddownthesidesofthelargestshipscast out giant, gnarled teethbyperistalticmotion that burst onhulls to unleashhordesofmetal-hungrycreatures.Butinthemain,thetyranidsneglectedrangedcombat.Giantnautiloidsventedglitteringcloudsof gas,movingwith deceptive slowness towards the Imperial battle line, their five-hundred-yard-longtentaclesextendedtoentrapships.Theyseemedsocumbersome,butwhenclose,sinewssnappedoutwithsuchforcethetentaclesburiedthemselvesinplasteel,andtheSpaceMarineshipswerereeledin,theirvoid shields useless.Bellerophonwatched as one of theBladeofVengeance’s escortswas caught. Itbuckedinthefleshlysnare,enginesblazing,but itwasdoomed,engulfedbydozensmoretentaclesandbrokenintwo.Thevarietyofvesselsbeggaredbelief.Somewere like slugs, others looked likevoidwhales.Therewereexamplesthatboreapassingresemblancetoseacreatures,scaledupamilliontimes.Therewereshipswithmassivebladesatthefront,orarmouredbeaks.Shipswithtentaclespredominated,butothershadhornedramsforprows,orcarriedsuper-sizedversionsofbiocannonsweildedbythecarnifexesortervigonsfixedingiant,never-closingmaws.Therewereshipswithflippers,shipswithtails,shipswithatrophied arms and legs.Many had monstrously long tails. Some were armoured with the segmentedchitinousplatecommontomosttyranidorganisms,albeitonamassivescale,othersseemedtohavenoprotection other than a leathery hide. Every possible permutation of life was there, but all melded,changed,benttothehivemind’swill.Intheirdiversitywasanawfuluniformity.‘Brother,’ saidAsante from thecommand throne. ‘Wewillhave tomoveposition.Therearemultipleattackcraftonaninterceptcourse.’BellerophonsparedaglanceforasidescreenwhereAsantecasttherelevantdata.‘Onemoremoment,Asante.Onemore.’‘Thehiveship?’‘Thehiveship.’Bellerophonnoddedabsently,onlyafragmentofhismindontheconversation.Hisface

flickeredwiththelightofadozentacticaldisplays.HisenhancedSpaceMarinemindtookhundredsofdifferentpiecesofinformationandtranslatedthemintoabattleplan.‘Itisourprimarytargetatthistime.Wetakethatout,thisentiresub-tendrilwillcollapse.’Powerfeedbackfromstressedvoidshieldsshooktheshipstemtostern.‘Verywell,’saidAsante.‘ButIampullingupandoutofthismaelstromassoonasitisdead.’BellerophonsignalledtheBloodAngelsbattlegroup.‘Prepareforattackrun.’TheBladeofVengeancegroanedasenginesforceditdown.Thehiveshiploomedahead.Itwasatrueleviathanof thevoid, twentymiles longand threeacross. Impacts flaredallover its shell.Four strikecruisersharriedit,allaimingforthefront.Bellerophoncouldnotbringhimselftocallitaprow.Atthebaseoftwovastmandiblesspreadwidelikeshearswasaclusterofred-browneyesandatiny,tentacledmouth.‘Chargelances,’orderedAsante.‘Loadcyclonictorpedoes.Mainguns,keepourflanksclear.’BellerophonspentanintensehalfminuterearrangingtheBladeofVengeance’ssupportships.Flightsofinterceptorsflewaroundthegroup,doingtheirbesttoclearawaytheteemingswarmsoftyranidfighterbeasts.Swiftdestroyersidentifiedanddisabledapproachingkrakenshipswithvolleysoftorpedoes.The four cruisers zeroed in on their target, hammering away at the creature’s face. The angleswereawkward, and many shots were simply snatched from the void by the thing’s lightning fast feedertentacles.‘Letuslancethisthinginitsvilexenosface,thenbreakoff,’saidBellerophon.‘Asyoucommand,LordoftheHeavengate,’saidAsante.‘Cruisers,standclear,’orderedBellerophon.‘Targetslocked,’reportedAsante’sgunnerymaster.‘Fire,’saidAsante.TheBladeofVengeance spat out a full spreadof torpedoes, turning slightly once theywere away toglidecleanlyabeamthehiveship.Asitpassedthelivingbattleship,fourpillarsofblindinglightslammedoutfromtheBladeofVengeance’sdorsal turrets,blasting thehiveship’shead topieces.Theweaponssnapped off, leaving the hive ship dying. Thick blood spewed from the front. The torpedoes smashedhomeastheBladeofVengeanceanditsescortsmovedupwardoverthehiveship.Atomicfireannihilatedthefirstthreemilesofitsforequarters.Thesymbioticweaponscreatureswerestillfiring,butthecoreofthehiveshipwasdead.Randomeructationsofgasspasmedfromitsthrusterspiracles,anditlumberedoutofformation,smashingasidedozensofitsfellows.Beyondthedeadhiveship,thevoidwaspackedwithuncountableenemyvessels.‘Onedown,fiftythousandtogo,’saidAsantedrily.

‘Holdformation.’Follordark’ssimplecommandcut throughthealarmsclangingrepetitivelyallaroundErwin.HewouldneedlucktorestoreordertotheAngelsExcelsisfleet,whosebattleorderwasbeingsplitapartbyrepeated,suicidalattackstowardstheircentre.TheresponsesofErwin’sfellowcaptainsweregarblednonsenseinhisvox-beads.TheAngels Excelsiswere undermassive attack.Granted the honour of sallying out from themobilefortresses of themain battlegroup, they dipped in and out of the onrushing swarms like a rapier. Butrepeatedthrustshadbluntedtheirpoint.Thequickattackandwithdrawalthatboughtthemmanygoodshipkillsearlierinthebattlewasconfoundedbythedensityofbio-shipsstreamingpastthemtowardsBaal.TheSpaceMarineshadbeenpushed furtherand furtherbackacross the system.Threedaysof fightingsaw them lose hundreds of millions of miles of ground. Large tendrils of the hive had twisted awaytowardsSetandAmairandweregreedilydevouringtheresourcesoftheworlds.Iftherewasonecomfort

tobetakenfromthisdifficultbattle,itwasthis:thetyranidshadbeensostarvedintheRedScarthattheywereconsumingworldswithlittletonocomplexorganics,worldstheybypassedwhenthehuntingwasgood.TheswarmsflowedoverandaroundtheSpaceMarines likeamountainriveraroundboulders.TherewerenotenoughImperialshipstostoptheflow.Littleislandsofviolencewerealltheycouldmanage.ShipscameattheAngelsExcelsisfromeverydirection.SpraysofpenetrativespinesburstintoflaresoflightagainsttheSplendidPinion’svoidshields.‘Theyarecominginforanotherpass,’shoutedtheServileoftheWatch.‘Intensifyforwardfire!’Erwincommanded.‘Yes,mylord,’respondedtheServileBelligerent.The oculus flickered like a primitive imaging device. Thousands of autocannon rounds from pointdefence turrets slammed into thewavesof spine-torpedoeshurtling towards them.Leech-likeboardingcraft twisting theirway through the bombardment disintegrated under intense fusion fire. Sporeswereobliteratedbythethousand.‘Ihaveseenthinnerblizzards,’growledErwin.HalftheAngelsExcelsisshipswerelost.ThepanickedcriesofservilesscreamedoutofthevoxastheAngelic died. Its sideswere riddledwith themaggot holes of tyranid boardingworms. Its gunsweresilent. The questing arms of a vast kraken ship wrapped themselves about theAngelic’s mid-section,pullingitinexorablytowardsthegrindingboneplatesofthebio-ship’smaw.Erwin threwuphishand toshieldhiseyesagainsta reactordeath thatdidn’tcome.TheAngelicwassawninhalfandpulledinwards.Thesightofitsprowandsternrubbingagainsteachotherwasobscenesomehow.Even the gas vented from its emptied compartmentswas inhaled by the gigantic creature. Itconsumedtheentirething,meat,metal,menandmonster.Notascrapescaped.Follordark was on the vox, hollering orders. On a short-range hololithic tactical projection the fullenormity of the situationwas plain. TheEssenceEternal, theChapter flagship,was in trouble. ThreelesserkrakenshipshadtheirbonelessarmsentwinedabouttheChapterbattle-barge’ssuperstructure.Onekrakencameaway, itsshellburningferociously,evisceratedbyabroadside. Itwouldnotbeenoughtosave theEssence Eternal.Many-limbed sporeswere clamped like tumours all over its angular lines.Boardingwormswerechewingtheirwayinside.Gunsfiredwildlyalloverthebattle-barge.‘Wearelosing,Follordark,’saidErwin.Hisownshipshudderedasitunleashedyetanotherpayloadatthepredatorsstalkingit.‘Theyshallpay!Weshalldestroythemall!’repliedFollordark.‘Weshouldwithdraw.’‘Negative,’saidFollordark.‘Icommandyoutoholdyour–’One of the krakens crept sinisterly over theEssence Eternal, arm over arm. Itwrapped its tentaclesaroundthemainvoxtower.Follordark’svoicecutoutasitwrenchedtheentireassemblyfree.‘Heislost,’saidAchemen.‘TheChapterislost,’mutteredErwin.‘ServileofResponse,openvoxchannelstoallsurvivingships.’‘Aye,mylord.’Erwinstoodfromhisthrone.Thecablespluggedintothebackofhisarmouratleastpermittedhimtodothat.‘AllvesselsoftheAngelsExcelsis…’Ashespokethosewords,anotherofhisChapter’sancientcraftwaschewedupandeaten.Thenanother.‘I,Erwin,assumecommand.Iorderallshipstoturnaboutandrendezvouswith–’‘Erwin!Toport!’shoutedAchemeninalarm.

Erwinhadtimetolookupandseetheblunt,exposedboneofaramshipsnoutemergefromtheswarmofvessels,swiftandunexpectedasaneeldartingfromitshole.Thevoidshieldsburnedawaylayersoftheramandsentpurple lightningarcingallover theship. Itmadenotone iotaofdifference.TheramshipimpactedtheSplendidPinion’scommandtowerseveraldecksbelowthecommanddeck.Theviolenceofthe impact threwErwin off his feet.He slammed into the railing of his dais and flipped over it. Thecablesattachinghimtotheship’spowerandcommandsystemspartedinawelterofsparksandsmoke.Heslammedintothelowerdeck,killingtheservilehelandedupon.For amoment, he lay dazed. The hiss of air from a breach in the hull roused him, the deadly soundstandingoutamidthecacophonyofalarms,screamsandcreakingmetal.Hestoodwithdifficulty.Hisarmourhadnopowersupply.Itwasadeadweightonhim,oneroustomovewithouttheassistanceofitssupplementarymusculature.‘Serviles!’hebarked.Hecoughed.Hisribswerebruisedbyhisfall.Theairwasfoggywithsmokeandfiresuppressantgas.‘Serviles!Report!’Therewasnoreply.Someonewasweeping,anothergroaning.Atthelast,unalteredhumanitybetrayeditsweakness.‘Achemen!Achemen!Whereareyou?Damnyou,answerme!’Hestaggeredaroundthewreckofhiscommanddais.ThesmellofAdeptusAstartesblooddrewhimtoAchemen’sfinalrestingplace.Thesergeantlaysprawledunderagirder,eyesbulgingoutofhisbrokenskull.‘Serviles!’heroared.‘Report!’Therewas still no reply.Thrashing electric cables spat arcing crackles.Theglass of the oculuswasqueeredbyamassivecrackrunningfromthetoptothebottomofthecentralpane.Muchoftheviewwasobscuredbythesuckingmouthsoftyranidbeasts.Diamondteethraspedontheglass,scratchingitdeeply.Thecommandtowerhadbuckled,andtheoculusnowpointeddownwardstowardsthemainhull.Throughthediminishinggapsbetweentheflockingbeastschewingontheglass,thedeadbulkoftheramshipwasvisible,itsheadthrustdeepintotheSplendidPinion’sinnards.Amongtheorchestraofalarmsafreshonebegan.Erwin’seyewasdrawntoabrokenconsole.Onacrackedpictscreentheruneforboardersblinkedurgently.Somethingbeganhammeringonthecommandbridgedoor.Somethingbig.Erwinreachedforhisstormbolter,butithadbeentornawayfromitsstrap.Hestruggled forward towards thedoors,drawinghiscombatknife.Thecommanddeck reverberated.Tenfeetofplasteelwasdentinginward.Erwintookcoverbeforethedoors.ThefewAdeptusAstartesonthedeckwerealldead.Therestofhiscompanywastrappedinthedecksbelow.‘Comeon!’hescreamed.‘Iwillslayyou!’Bythetimethecarnifexhammereditswaythroughthedoor,ErwinwasfullyintheRedThirst’sgrip.Hechargedatthetyranidinmindlessfrenzy.Hismangledbodyhitthedeckplatesmomentsafterwards.

BrilliantlightfromyetanotherreactordeathsearedthevisionoftheBladeofVengeance’sdeckcrew.Asphereofnuclearenergytoreoutaholeadozenmilesacrossfromtheapproachingtyranidhivefleet.Assuddenlyasitwasopened,itwasfilledagainbythehurtlingbodiesoftenthousandtyranidorganisms,theirtentaclesalreadyextendingasiftheycouldgrabBaalfromhalfamillionmilesaway.‘ThatwasErwin’sship,’saidAsante.‘Hediedbetterthanhelived.’Heconsultedatac-display.‘TheentireAngelsExcelsisChapterisgone.Wearelosingshipstooquickly.Theforceoftheswarmisdouble

whatweexpected.’Bellerophonstudiedthetacticaldisplay.Hecouldonlyagree.‘Whatdoyoupropose,brother,thatweturnandrun?’saidBellerophon.‘No,mylord,’saidAsante.‘Weshouldbeginphasetwoofthestrategy–’‘Notyet!’barkedBellerophon.‘Wecannotsplityet.Wemustslaughterasmanyofthesexenosfilthaswecanwhilewehavethenumbers.Ourlivesdonotmatter.Iwillspendthemall ifI thoughtitwouldhelp.’Heloweredhisvoice.‘OnlythroughsacrificeshallBaalstand.’TheSpaceMarinefleetwasbentbackuponitself.Fourbattlegroupshadbecomeone,acrescentlineventingfireforwardandto thesides.Theycoulddolittlemore thankillwhat theycould.Thetyranidsweretoonumeroustostop.Kill counters rattled up in a blur. Cogitation estimates had the number of tyranid deadwell into themillions.Threehundredandsevenhiveshipshaddied to the Imperialguns.Bellerophondoubted theywouldevergetagood ideaofhowmany lesservesselshadbeenblastedapart.Surely itwouldmakesense for the enemy to stop, to turn about and retreat?Noamount of feeding in theBaal systemcouldpossiblymakeupforthelossesthetyranidswereenduring,andwouldsurelyendure,whentheylandeduponBaal.Bellerophonwas a gifted fleet commander, but he could not credit the hivemindwith thestrategic ability to force a passage north through Baal. It was idiocy. Why not avoid the Red Scaraltogether? He also did not believe it intelligent enough to want the Blood Angels eliminated, orintelligentatall,inpointoffact.AndMephiston’stheorythatthehivemindthirstedforvengeance,thatwaslaughable.Butwhathecouldunderstandwasthatthetyranidswerenumberless,andtheywereatBaal.Bellerophonunderstooddefeatwhenhesawit.He chided himself. There was hope. The Sanguinor himself had said so. They could not hold thetyranids,buttheycouldslowthem.EverydeadbeastwasonethatwouldnotsetfootonBaal.Everyhiveshipdestroyedsawthehivemind’scoherencyweakened.Theycoulddoit.Theymust.Hopeproveditselffleeting.‘Mylord!’Thetoneofthethrall’svoicehadBellerophonreactinginstantly.‘What?’‘The augurs, my lord.’ Blood thralls were brave, loyal, not quite the best of the best, but head andshouldersabovethecommonherdofman.ThethrallswhomannedthecommanddeskhadbeenaspirantstotheChapterwhohadfailedbythenarrowestofmargins.Butthisonewasscared.‘Look!’Heraisedaquakingfinger.Bellerophon turned his head to a minor hololith. The main display was occupied by the immediateenvironsofthebattle,anareaofahundredthousandmilesorso.Thelesserhololiththethrallshakinglypointedtosupportedagraphicalviewoftheentiresystem.‘BythebloodoftheGreatAngel,’saidBellerophon.FromthefarsideofBalor,asecondhivefleetwasapproaching,bypassing thedefences,andheadingstraightforBaal.Thereweretensofthousandsmorevessels.Fartoomanytoovercome,buthedidnotpauseinmakingtheorderthatwouldendhislife.Bellerophonslammedhishanddownonabutton,openingeveryvoxhornwithinhearingdistanceofhisvoice. ‘Allbattlegroups,payheed!’he shouted,hisorderscompetingwith thehideouswhitenoiseoftyraniddenialbroadcasts.‘AsecondhivefleetapproachesBaal.’Hekeyedinanumberofrapidordersinto a nearby cogitator. ‘Battle group alpha, fall in line with the flagship. We cannot leave Baalundefended.Therestofyou,coverourwithdrawaluntilweareaway,thenbreakapartandmakedistance.

Ireleaseyoufrommycommand.Pursueobjectivesofharassmentanddivisionasbestyoucan.Keepasmanyofthesexenosfiendsawayfromtheprimarch’sbirthplaceasyoucan,foraslongyoucan.BytheBloodwerewemade,mybrothers.MaytheEmperorguideyouandpreserveyou.’

Dante did not see Bellerophon die. He did not see Asante die. He did not see the ancientBlade ofVengeanceoverwhelmedbytyranidrazorfiendsasitrushedintoBaal’sorbit.HedidnotseetheVictusandtheBloodcallerforcedtoaborttheirattackandwithdraw,heavilydamaged.Hedidnotseethemiles-longflagshipdrawablazingriveroffireacrossBaal’supperatmosphere.Hedidnotseeitcrashland.Not until later would he see the column of black smoke that issued from the downed vessel. He didexperiencetheviolenttremoroftheimpact,thoughitoriginatedhundredsofmilesaway.ButasthesteadygreenarrowoftheBladeofVengeanceturnedgreyuponthehololithandfellfromtherepresentationofthesky,hefeltthesame,burdensomeregrethehadfelteverytimeamanhaddiedunderhiscommandforoveramillennium.HerememberedAsanteasaneophyte.HerememberedBellerophon’smiseryashisnaturalaffinityforvoidwarsawhimpermanentlysecondedtotheHeavengateFleet,andbeengladdenedbyhisjoyashehadgrownintohisrole.Hecouldnotremembermeetingeitherofthemforthefirsttime.Therewasalothedidnotrecall.Hismemorywasavasthinterland,fullofobscurecountriesshroudedinLetheanmists.Forgettingsaddenedhim.Itwasaseconddeathforthosewhohaddied,afurtherlesseningofwhattheyhadbeen,andwhotheywere.‘Bellerophon andAsantewere heroes of thisChapter,’ saidDante. ‘Theywill be honoured.’ Silencegreetedhiswords.Thereweremanyotherheroeswhohad fallen in thepast fivedays.The thunderofshockedairreplied,loudenoughtobeheardthroughtheredoubt’sthickwalls:thesoundofthousandsoftyrannocytes,myceticsporesandlandingbeastsfallingintotheatmospherefasterthanthespeedofsound.Forthelasthalfday, thedefencelasersandlargercannonshadbeenfiring, their infrequentreportsanirregularheartbeat.Nowthousandsofsmallergunsjoinedthem.TheArxAngelicumtrembledwithrage.‘Orderthementothewalls,’commandedDantewithanairoficycalm.‘Theenemyareatourgates.Weshallrepulsethem.’TheinvasionofBaalhadbegun.

CHAPTERSEVENTEENMOATOFTEARS

ThethickblackstreakofsmokeonthehorizonwasapoorgravemarkerforsomightyashipastheBladeofVengeance.ThesightofitstirredthewrathofChaplainOrdamaeltotoweringheights.Ordamaelwas stationed on the third line, overseeing someof the hordes ofmortals drafted from theBaalianmoons.TheprefabricatedsectionsofdefencelinetheymannedsurroundedthecurtainwalloftheArxliketheteethofagargantuanmantrap,anditwasatrap.Therewasasmoothareaofsandahundredfeetinfrontoftheline.Thesandappearedtobeapartofthedesert,butwasonlyacoupleofinchesthick,concealingarockcretechannel,fiftyfeetacross,thatranallthewayaroundtheArxanditstwowalls.Insidethechannelwasthirstwater.Ordamaelhadlearnedtofearthirstwaterwhenhewasaboy.Nobodyreallyknewwhatitwas.Incaraelsaid itwasaviciousweaponfromtheLongAgoWar,although therewere thepossibilities that itwasnativetoBaalSecundus,orathingofxenosorigin.Thirstwaterlookedlikewater,butitwasalive,possessedarudimentaryintelligence,andithunted,lyinginwaittolurethethirstytowardsit.Norefreshmentwasheldinitsliquid,onlydeath,foritdesiccatedwhateveritcameintocontactwith,addingtheirmoisturetoitself.Itspropertiespreventedproperstudy.However,theBloodAngelsknewenoughaboutittofindit,catchit,andtocontainit.AsmuchascouldbefoundhadbeengatheredonBaalSecundus.Itwouldhaveescapedifitcould,drainingitselfawayintothesand,dividingintohundredsofseparateorganismsandflowingofftolurk.DantehadcontaminatedBaalwiththesystem’sdeadliestsubstance.TheChapterworldwouldneverbefreeofit.Desperatetimesledtounthinkablestrategy.Evenhiddenunderthesand,thethirstwateraffectedtheenvironmentaroundit.Itdriedtheairsomuchitcrackled.Ordamael’ssensoriumsensedsomethingamissandflaggedupthisunusualdryness.Hewasnotcompletelysafeinhisbattleplate.Toapproachthemoatwouldhavebeendeathforthemortalsfightingalongside the Space Marines, and so they were terrified. Ordamael strode among them as they laycoweringbehindthedefencelines,exhortingthemtogreaterefforts,scaringthemintotakinguptheirguns

and firing at the enemy. They could hardly hear him, though he bellowed with his voxmitter at fullamplification.Manywerestartledashismassivearmouredblackhanddescendeduponthemunnoticedtopluckupdiscardedguns–child-sizeinhisgrip–andgesturingforthemtoshoot.‘InthenameoftheGreatAngel,forthegreatergloryoftheEmperor,forthepreservationofBaal,keepfiring!’heroared.Hebrandishedhiscroziusarcanumoverhishead.Tyranidmicroorganismsflashedtonothinginitsdisruptionfield.‘Keepthemback!Keepthembackfromthemoat!’BaalhadthrownoffitsdesertsilenceandgavevoicetoSanguinius’rage.Allalongthethirdandsecondlinesgunsbarked,whiletheArxAngelicumhurledanendlessbarrageintotheheavens,obliteratinghiveshipsandtheireffusionsoflandingcraft.Buttherewerealwaysmore,nomatterhowmanywererenttopiecesbyshrapnelorenergyblast.Awallof furiousnoise thunderedbehindOrdamael.Fromthereconstructedcurtainwall thousandsofheavyweaponsbangedandhowled,sendingoutsuchaquantityofplasmaand las-fire theenvironmentaround theArxAngelicum stirredwith unnatural heat.Themortalmen on the defence line shonewithsweat.Missiles rushedoverhead.Sanderupted indriftingfountains inadisplay toshameapotentate’sgardens. Autocannons blasted long lines of puffed sand. Heavy shells blew up geysered plumes. Theaudio dampers of Ordamael’s vox-beads strained against the thundering of theArxAngelicum’smainguns. Defence lasers spat out columns of blinding light that tortured the air into storm fronts.Macrocannons intended to sweep the void free of enemy shipswere turned to face the earth, and thewoundstheyinflictedwerehuge.ThetremorsfromtheirimpactsshookOrdamaelinhisarmour.Theveryairshouted.SuchwastheatmosphericdisturbancecausedbytheArxAngelicum’soutpouringoffirethattheskywaschargedwithenergy.Lightningstormsblastedallaroundthefortressmonasteryandstatic -crackledoverOrdamael’sbattleplate.Burningdebrisdrewblack linesfromthesky.Metalandmeatshowereddownforfivehundredmilesaround theArx from thecontinuingvoidwar.The remnantsof the fleetsperformed lightning raids andsurgical thrusts into theswarmwhere theycould, theirweaponssheetingout theskywithwhiteactinicflashes.Cosmicthundersrolledaroundthehorizon.Anavalancheofbiomunitionshurtledatthefortressfrom space. All were annihilated. The very skin of reality quivered as missiles and creatures weredestroyedbythevoidshield,shuntedbyitsarcanetechnologyintothewarp.Andyet, thesoundofgunswasnot the loudestnoise.Theswarm’svoicesuppressed itall.Asinistersusurrus of hissing and the click of chitinous plate on plate, punctuated by the pained shrieks ofdischargingbioweapons.Thesoundwasweirdlyreminiscentofstrongwindintrees,werethosetreesfullofpredatorydesire,andthewindahorrificscream.The tyranidswere an adaptive race, but their invasion pattern never changed, having been honed bymillionsofplanetaryattackstounimprovableperfection.Firstcamethereleaseofbillionsofairbornemicrobesthatwenttowarwithaworld’sunseenbiomeofbacteria,virusesandmicroscopiccreatures.Someofthisorganicsoupwasdesignedtofoulweaponsordestroymechanisms,mostofitinitiatedtheconsumptionoftheworldevenasitfoughttosurvive.Macro-scaled, explosive spores followed by the million, throwing out more microspores along with theirscythingburstsofshrapnelwhentheydetonated,makingflightperilousfor thedefendersanddisruptingground formations.Then came the aerial swarms,wingedhorrors of all sizes, somedeployeddirectlyfromorbit,othersleapingfromburningdropcystsastheyplungedthoughtlesslytotheirdestruction.Onlywhentheskieswerefulltoburstingwiththeirownkinddidthetyranidsbegintheirgroundassault,droppinghundredsofthousandsofassaultsporesaroundprimarymilitarytargets.Thelessertypesfellatkillingspeed,splashingopenlikerottingfruit,sendingoutaseedofswiftmonsterswhogatheredtogetheringreathordesandattackedanythingtheycouldfind.Thesmallerconstructscamedownfirst.Always.

‘Keepthembackfromthemoat!’yelledOrdamael.Asyetthetyranidsweredisorganised.Theirlargerleaderbeastshadnotcomedowninanynumber,andassoonastheywerespottedtheyweretargetedanddestroyedbyfireonthewalls.Thousandsof’gauntsattacked in ragged waves, pounding towards the defence line inmass, uncoordinated assaults. It wasdistractionbehaviour,meant to tie downdefenderswithuncountablenumberswhile thegreater strainslanded. Back from the front, a thick rain of tyrannocytes landed hordes of these bigger bioconstructs.Chitinousairbrakesdeployedatthelastmomentslowedtheirdescentenoughtoprotecttheircargo.Thepodsthemselvesburstonimpact,throwingoutspraysofthickmucous.Creaturespouredfromthedyinginnards, dripping with shock-absorbing liquids, to join the waves advancing on the defence line thatformedtheouterperimeteroftheArxAngelicum.TheSpaceMarineshadseen ita thousand times.Theyswept thecreaturesawaywithsmallarmsfirewhile their big guns remained firmly targeted upon the falling spores.The larger the sporeswere, themorefiretheyattracted.Therewasanaddedcomplicationtothebattle.Itwasimperativetheprobingattacksnotbeallowedtocomeintocontactwiththemoat.DantekeptmostoftheSpaceMarinesbehindthecurtainwall.Theunarmouredmortalsbaitedthetrap,watchedoverbyahandfulofveteransandChaplains.OrdamaelpitiedtheChapterMaster.Itwasnotinhisnaturetobesocavalierwiththelivesofcommonhumanity.Thiswarcosthimpartofhissoul.‘Keep firing!TheEmperor iswatchingyou!’ roaredOrdamael. ‘He judgesyou, he condemns anyonewhowillnotfight!’The men and women of the moons struggled under Baal’s heavier gravity. Their movements weresluggish.But though impeded they gave good account of themselves. Themoonswere violentworlds.Mostofthemcouldfight.‘Destroythem!Destroythem!Permitnotthealientolive!’heshouted.ChaplainsofascoreofChaptersprowledthedeadlygroundbeforethecurtainwall.Theirarmourwasall black and bone. They could have been of the same brotherhood; theywere, in themost importantrespects. The bonds of the bone and the blood united Sanguinary priests and Chaplains across theChaptersoftheBlood,regardlessofallotherconsiderations.To themortals theywere thepersonificationofdeath itself,giants ingrimacinghelmetswhosewordscouldfellthemostdeadlyoffoes.Ordamaelurgedthehumanstofightinthenameofagodhedidnotseeasdivine,shoutingprayersmeantonlyfortheearsofbattle-brothers,allwhilejudgingthesituation,andreactingtothechatteroforderssoundinginhisears.Itwascrucialthe’gaunthordeswerekeptbackuntiltheywerereadytolaunchamajorattack.IftheSpaceMarineslosttheelementofsurprise,theywouldlosethevitalkillcountthethirstwatercoulddeliver.‘By thepurityof thechosen tribeshaveyousurvived to thisday!’ shoutedOrdamael. ‘Youareof theBlood!Giveyourthanksinrighteousviolence!Destroythosethatwouldconsumeyou!’Acartolithinterposeditselfbetweenhiseyesandtheoutsideworld.Thetyranidswererepresentedasathick red stain around the Arx Angelicum. Patterns were emerging where before had been confusion.Moreof the largerbeastswerecomingdown,exerting theconsciouscontrolof thehivemindover the’gaunts’limitedinstincts.Exploratoryfingersgropedforweakpoints,whereupontheywouldbegatheredtogetherintoafist.Soonthetyranidswouldattack,andallatonce.Theyhadthenumbers.Theydidnotcareforindividualdeath.Rushingthepreyfromallsidespreventeditfromconcentratingitsfire.Therewasahorribleperfectiontothefoe,butperfectionwaslimitedinexpression.Thetyranids’successhadmadethempredictable.‘Chaplains,prepare.’Dante’scalm,purevoiceranginOrdamael’svox-beads.‘Criticalmassin’gaunt

hordespredictedinfourhundredseconds.’AcounterimposedfromoutsidetickeddownoverOrdamael’slefteye.Rippledrubylas-firesnappedoutfromthedefenceline.’Gauntsscreechedandtumbledtoadeadstop,limbstangledup.‘TheGreatAngel’shomeisatrisk.Youareatrisk!AndtheGreatAngelsaid“letnotthehungerofthealienbesateduponhumanflesh!”Donotdemeanhiswords!Destroy!Destroy!Destroy!’Ordamaelspottedastragglinggroupof’gauntsracingclosetothelipofthemoat.‘Sectornine-five-gamma,’hesaidquicklyintohisvox.‘Possiblebreakthrough.Neutralise.’Hesentthelocationtocentralcommand.The’gauntswerewithinyardsofthemoatwhenastormofheavylas-firecrasheddownfromtheArxAngelicumandcutthemtopieces.Shrapnelpattereddownoverthedefenceline.Themortalstherethrewthemselvesflat.Afewlookedfearfullybehindthem,turnedandfled.‘Stand your ground!’ Ordamael shouted, striding among them. He swatted a man with his crozius,destroyinghis ribcage.Blood sprayed across the sand.Another fell to a single shot of his bolt pistol.‘Return to the fray!’ If Ordamael must act as a common commissar then he would. The duty wasunpleasant, but not dishonourable. A few of his brothers in the black weremore enthusiastic in theirefforts.Thesmellofbloodstirredsomethinginhumaninhim.Heshepherdedtheweepingfugitivesbacktothewall,andreturnedhiseyestotheenemy.‘Standbyalldefence line sectors.’Adanicio spoke this time. ‘Incomingheavybombardment onmymark.Beready.Weprovokeanattack.Targetinghivenodecreatures.’Out beyond the moat, arriving leader beasts exerted their influence and the hordes of ’gaunts werebecomingmoreorganised.Theyformedintosolidranksthatweremovingasonetowardstheperimeter,ignoring themassive casualties they sustained.Thousands fell to the Imperial guns.Their bodieswerepiling into a bermof shattered chitin and pulped flesh that theweight of the horde bulldozed forwardtowardstheperimeter.Allthewhilemyceticsporesscreameddownfromorbittodisgorgeyetmoretyranids.Inthedistancethedrippingshapesoflargerandlargerbeastswererisingfromtheirbrokentransports,thegreatestcommandbeasts, heavy assault constructs and broodmothers emerging behind the first expendable wave. Soonlivingartillerywouldsetdown,andthebattlewouldcommenceinearnest.Somanyworldswereoverwhelmedbythisinitialhorde.NotBaal.‘Bombardmentcommencing.Three,two,one.Mark.’Thegunscutoutforabriefmoment.Asecondlateraripplingwallofcoordinatedexplosionsarosefromthesand.Tyranidbodiesflewupward,shatteredintofragments,ridingsheetsofdustandfireintotheair.The leaderswere targeted.Gianthive tyrantswere cutdownwhere they stood.Massive flying croneswere downed by anti-aircraft fire. Warrior broods were obliterated in roiling storms of plasma thatburnedthefacesofthemortalsexposedtothem.‘Witness the fury of theBloodAngels!’ roaredOrdamael, staring full into the inferno. ‘Witness yoursalvation!’Asecondmassivebombardmentblastedthexenos,thisoneafewhundredyardsbackfromthefirst.Twoconcentricringswerebrieflycutintothehorde.Thebombardmentceased,andthegunsresumedfiringattargetsofopportunity.The’gauntsroaredandhissedasloudlyasatempestuoussea.Theirleaderbeastsfelledatthemomentof attack, their behaviour changed again. What had been a flock-like movement once more becameindividualistic,chaotic.Fightsbrokeoutbetweenthecreaturesinplaces.Theyrockedforwardsuddenlyasthegapsintheirlineswerefilledinbyonrushingbeasts,knockingthoseattheforetowardsthemoat.It

was important that thehorde’sown impetuscouldnotbehalted.Timingwaseverything.Theymustbegoaded.‘Standready,’voxedAdanicio.AlldownthelineChaplainsturnedtofacethehorde.Ordamael continuedhis commands to fire.The ’gauntshalteda fewyards from theedgeof themoat.Theirbloodwasseepingtowardsthethirstwater.Assoonasmoisturetouchedit,itwouldberevealed.The’gaunts’nativeinstinctswoulddemandtheyhalttoawaitfurtherdirection.‘Mylords,’hevoxed.‘Itmustbenow.’‘Withdraw,’saidAdanicio.‘WarriorsoftheImperium!’roaredOrdamael.‘Backtothewall!’Similarcommandsissuedfromahundredskull-maskedfaces.MalnourishedfaceslookedupatOrdamaelinamomentofbewilderment.‘Butthey’restopping,’saidone.‘We’rewinning.’Ordamaelstrodetowardsthewretch,pickedhimupbyhisclothesandtossedhimtowardsthecurtainwallaseasilyasifhewerearag.‘Back!’heshouted.‘Back!’ThemenandwomenofBaalneedednomoreencouragement.Theyturnedandfled,manythrowingdowntheirweapons.Theystaggeredundertheheaviergravity,fleeinglikedreamersinanightmareunabletooutpacetheirpursuers.Theshoutsastheyranwerelosttothethunderofwar.The’gauntsdidnotfollow.Theyceasedtheirmilling.Arippleofmovementpasseddownthefrontrankastheyturnedtofacethewall.Orderreturnedtotheirranks.‘Strategium,somethingiswrong,’voxedOrdamael.‘Theydonotpursue.’Thefirst’gauntshadreachedwithinfeetofthemoat.Theirranksweresotightlypackeditwashardtotell individual creatures apart. In the distance hulking monsters screeched and roared, raging withoutproperdirection.Thatwouldnotlast.Moreleaderstrainswereinbound.Theydidnothavemuchtime.‘Theyarenot taking thebait,’ saidOrdamael.Hepushedhisway through thehumansstrugglingawayfromthedefenceline,andsteppedoverthemetal.‘Xenos!’ he shouted. ‘I amOrdamael, Paternis Sanguis of theBloodAngels, second only to belovedAstoraththeGrim.Fightme!BytheBlood,cometomycroziusandacceptmyblessing!’Themonsters were barely three hundred feet away. They stoodmotionless, unblinking, their hoovesploughingupthesandastheweightofthetyranidswarmattheirbackpressedthemforward.Thebrightslickofxenosbloodwasrollingtowardstheconcealedmoat.Asolitary’gauntwatchedtheslowspreadofthisstickyriversuspiciously,andthenitlookedupatOrdamael.Ordamaelhadstaredintothedeadblackeyesofcountless’gaunts.Thisonewasdifferent.Thereweresubtlevariationstoitscranium,adifferenceinthewayitsheatventswerearranged.Small,butcrucial.Somethingrodethiscreature,somethingsoancientandpowerfulthatatahundredyardsaway,lookingoutfromoneofathousandnearidenticalbeasts,itspresencepressedattheChaplainandmadehimreel.Ordamael stared into the face of the hivemind.How it lookedout from this simple beast he did notknow.Allheknewwasthatitmustbekilled.Itcouldnotcowhim.HewasaSpaceMarine.ABloodAngel.Ordamaelknewnofear.Heraisedhisgun.Asingleshotobliteratedthemutantskullof the’gaunt.Thehordefrozeasecond, thenbrokeforward.The death of the ’gaunt was the pebble taken from the dam. The ’gaunts fell forward in screechingthousands,pushedonbytheirneedtokillandtheweightofthousandsmorebehindthem.Itwasuncannytoseethechangefromtotalorganisation.Simpleinstinctsintendedtomakethemeffectiveshouldthehive

mindbedisruptedworkedagainstthem.Thebloodslicktrickledintothemoatandsankthroughthesand.Asoftcracklingsoundedasitcameintocontactwiththethirstwater.ItwasawarninganysonofBaalSecundusknewwell.Itdidnothaltthetyranids.Ordamael threw up his arms and turned his skull helm to face Baal Secundus looming beyond thewhirlingaerialswarms.‘Byhisblooddidhemakeme!’shoutedOrdamael.‘IamanangelofSanguinius!’Thefirstgauntsplungedthroughthescrimofsandobscuringthethirstwater,theirscreecheslostinstantlyas hundreds of their fellows plunged down on top of them.They piled on into the thirstwaterwithoutstopping.AllaroundtheArxAngelicum,drivenonbytheunrestraineddesiretokill,theytumbledintotherockcretechannelwheretheythrashedandscreamedanddied.Thebleachedbonesandexoskeletalplatesof the creatures emerged as bright reefs from the surface, only to slip back under as every vestige ofmoisturewassuckedfromthemandtheywerereducedtopowder.Thedeathtollwasincalculable,howmanyhundredsofthousandsOrdamaelcouldnottell,buttheykeptoncoming,andcoming.Astheremainscloggedthemoatitallowedthealienstocomecloser,butstillhalfthewidthremainedunfilled,andthe’gauntscontinuedtofallmindlesslyintoit,screechinghatefullyastheydied.All of a sudden, it stopped. The swarm halted dead in its tracks.Hundredsmoreweremurdered byimpetus,andthentheslaughterwasdone.Therest fellbackfromthebrink.The thirstwatersloppedandchurned in itsnarrowprison,eagerformore.Largerbeastsmovedforwardtoimposethehivemind’swill.The’gauntssteadied,onlytoscatteragainasthegreaterbeastswereshotdownbyweaponsonthecurtainwall.Moreleaderbeastscametodie,thenmore.Backandforththe’gaunthordewent,neverquitemakingittotheedgeofthemoat,theirnumbers thinnedall thewhilebya constant rainofgiant shells and raking fire from thedefences.Theslaughterwentonforhalfanhour.Theairgrewhotwithweaponsdischarge.Thesmelloffycelineandscaldingmetaloverpoweredthestinkofspiltalienblood.Nomore largerbeastscame.The ’gauntsdrewbackone final time, turned tail, andscurried from themoat.Unbelievably,thetyranidswerewithdrawing.Cheersandsongeruptedallalongthecurtainwall,followedbyaredoublementoffiringintothebacksofthefleeingcreatures.Ordamaellettheheadofhiscroziusthumptothefloor,andkneltinthankfulness.‘BytheBlood,arewemadevictorious,’hesaid.

CHAPTEREIGHTEENDARKESTHOUR

Thetremorsofbattlepenetratedeverypartofthefortressmonastery,shakingeventhehiddenhallsofthelibrarius, whosewalls were not all of cretes and stone, andwhoseways did not necessarily lead toplacesonBaal.RhacelussatimpatientlywithintheChemicSpheres,watchinganentrancedMephistonforsignsoflife.Mephiston had notmoved for days.His facewas grey, his skin contrasting queasilywith hismane ofwhitehair.Helookedlikeacorpse.Rhacelus wished he were performing the vigil alone. Unfortunately, Mephiston had insisted LuciusAntrosattendwithhim.‘Hehasbeengonealongtime,’saidAntros.Antros’voicewasacroak.Antroswasinhumanlybeautiful,aparagonofSanguinius’formtoRhacelus’pugilist’sbody.Buthisbeautywasmarred.Hissculpturallysharpfeaturesweredrawn.Darkshadowspouchedhis eyes.TheLibrariansofBaal suffered the ill effectsofproximity to thehivemind.Lesserbeings than theywould have been driven insane.Rhacelus could not help but think that the strain hadpeeledbackAntros’beautytorevealsomethingofhistruenature.‘Heshouldhavereturnedtousbynow,’saidAntrosplaintively.Rhacelusranhisgauntletoverhisclose-croppedsilverhair.Hewasveryold,butitwasrareforhimtofeelhisagelikehedidthen.Abillionvoiceshissedattheedgeofhishearing.Thementalpressuredidnothing good for his humour. His limbs were like lead, heavy in their metal casings; they had beenarmoured since the invasion began.He had taken no solid sustenance nor liquidwhile in theChemicSpheres, relyingonhisbattleplate’snutrient fluids, andhismouthwasgummyfromunderuse.His skinwasintolerablygrimyunderhisbodyglove.Everymicroscopicgrainofsaltfromhisdriedsweatwasaroughpebblegratingonhisflesh,eachasirritatingtohimasAntroswas.‘Itwilltakeaslongasitwilltake,Lexicanium,’saidRhacelus,pronouncingeachwordwithacidcalm.Heclosedhisever-glowingeyes.Itwastemptingnevertoopenthemagain.Antroswasfretful,behavinginawayunbecomingforanangelof theBlood.Hishandstwistedinhislap,ceramitegratingonceramite.‘Itiswrongtobeinhere.Weshouldbeouttherewiththeothers.They

needourstrength.Ourgiftswillbemissedinthefight.’RhacelusalmostshoutedatMephiston’sprotégé,butbitbackhisangeratthelast.‘OnecannotdictatetotheLordofDeath,’hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.‘Youcanonlydowhatheasks,andhopeitworksinyourfavourintheend.Ifwedonotacttoheadoffthisotherperil,wewillhavetwoenemiestoface,andthenthreeasweturnuponourselves.Weareneededhere.Westayhere.’Admitting it aloudwould have killedRhacelus, butAntros had a point.More than half of theBloodAngels Librarians present onBaal, and a score from otherChapters,waited forword from theChiefLibrarian.Thatwas a lot of destructive potential sitting on its hands. Isolated in theChemicSpheres,Rhacelus had little idea how the battle fared, but the guns had not rested once, and kept up a steadyrhythm, firingenough times to shatterawarfleet.Hecould tellwhen the tyranids landed.Theshakeofevery dischargewas now followedmoments later by a fainter impact tremor, a sign of guns firing attargetsontheground.‘Hewillcomebacktouswhenitistime.’Rhacelusdoubtedthewordsashesaidthem.Mephistonhadbeeninatrancefor toolong.ThelongerMephistonwasunder, themore concernedRhacelus became.Mephistonwalked thewarp at theworstpossibletime.‘Bytheangel’swings,Mephiston,whereareyou?’hesaid.TheLordofDeathsaidnothing.Hours crawled by.Another day passed. The endless pounding of the gunsmergedwith the thump ofRhacelus’headache.Once,hetriedtoenteratrancehimself,toseeifhecouldlocateMephiston’sastralform, but he was stymied.Mephiston was a master at spiritual projection, a skill few SpaceMarineLibrarianshad toanydegree,and thatwasyetanother thing that setMephistonapart fromhis fellows.Rhacelus lacked hismaster’s ability, and the crushingmalice of the tyranids’ composite soul shut alldoorstotheepistolary.Hisattemptsexhaustedhim.Hiswarp-blastedeyesslidshut.Hemeanttomeditate,insteadheslept.Heawoketoagentleshakingofhisshoulderguard.‘Rouseyourself,nowisthetimeRhacelus!’Mephistonstoodoverhim,hisskinstilldrawnandgrey.Hewasarevenant,hauntingRhacelus in thenight.Rhacelusblinkedandswallowedinanunsuccessfulattempttomoistenhisdrymouth.‘Mephiston?Mylord?’‘Ihavereturned.Wemustgo.Now.’Antroswasalreadystanding.Theirthroneshadvanished.Rhacelusgotgroggilytohisfeet,andhisownseatdissolvedintoamistofblood-redcorposant.Mephistonmadeaseriesofgestures,andtheflesh-likedomewalloftheChemicSpheresparted.Theirisolationwasover.Rhacelus’vox-beadscamealivewiththesteelycalmbattlechatterofSpaceMarinesatwar.‘PrepareourThunderhawks.’Mephiston’ssepulchralvoicecutintothevoxlikeaknife.‘Weleavenow.’

TwogunshipspackedwithLibrariansandasmallbodyguardofveteranSpaceMarinesflewoutfromtheArx Angelicum. The gunships were yet more assets that should have been utilised against the xenos.Rhaceluspatchedhishelmplatedisplayintotheaugureyesofthecraft,andwatchedastheshipsascendedatasteepangleandflewquicklyover theexcavated landingfieldsaround the fortressmonastery.Vastnetworksofspideredcrackswereerodedintotheancientrockcrete.Ifhehadnotknownthemforwhattheywere,itwouldhavebeeneasytothinkthefieldsanaturalformationontheground,butfromtheairtheirartificialoriginwasobvious,andthefootingsoflong-vanishedbuildingswereclearasdayinthe

sand between the numerous landing aprons that had known no thruster’s kiss since the beginning ofhistory.TheextentoftheextramuralfacilitieswereatragicindicationofhowlargetheBloodAngelshadoncebeen.NotevenallthesonsofSanguiniusgatheredtogetherinthisoneplaceagainmatchedthefullsizeoftheirparentLegion.Anotherreminder,ifRhacelusneededone,thattheylivedindiminishedtimes.TheThunderhawks followed the curve of the void shield down.Rhacelus swayed in hismag-lockedboots ashismass shifted.Theypassedover formationsofSpaceMarinesmoving to reinforcevariouspointsofthewall.TankformationsandwholephalanxesofjumppackequippedAssaultMarineswaitedbehindthewalltodealwithbreakthroughs.Asenseofunfetteredragetookhimastheyflewoveranewlybuilt hangar of plasteel. The psychicmark of theDeath Companywas unmistakable to Rhacelus, andawesomeinitsmight.Theyflewbetweenstabbingbeamsofenergy,jinkingtoavoidthetrackofshells.Thecraftwobbledinmunition-shockedairastheyspedoverthecurtainwallandonpastthekillingzonebetweenthewallandthethirdline.Intheopenspace,funeralpyresofneatlystackedmortalcorpsessentupthickblacksmoke.Thenumbersofmortalsmanningthedefencebarriersseemedthin.Long-rangedweaponsfiredfromthetwo lines. The defenders’ small armswere silent. The tyranids had ceased pressing their assault; thereasonsbecamecleareroncethegunshipsdeceleratedtopassthroughthevoidshield.Hundredsofthousandsoftyranidcorpseslayaroundtheoutermostdefences,thepilesofthemgrowingin height and density until they were heaped as tall as a Dreadnought around the moat. The layer ofcamouflagingsandandoilhadbeendisturbed,andthemoatwasnowrevealedformostofitscircuit.Thebleached,desiccatedremainsoftyranidshalffilledit.‘Arespite,nothingmore,’saidMephiston,asalwaysseeminglyprivytoRhacelus’innerthoughts.‘Thehivemindwillbeformulatinganewstrategy.’Sporadic fire rained down on the luckless mortals. Their position was outside the void shield, andtherefore exposed to both the enemy’s artillery and its airborne contingent. But the Arx Angelicum’smightiest void ship killing weapons suppressed most of the tyranids’ heavy gun beasts, and the fewwinged aliens daring to stoop upon themortalsweremostly shot down before they could finish theirattackruns.Rhacelustensed.Outsidetheshield,thegunshipswereatrisk.‘Wherearetheaerialswarms?’hesaid.‘Theywillbeonuswhenweareoutofrangeofthewall’santi-aircraftemplacements,’saidMephiston.TheLordofDeathwasrarelywrong.Theyheadedawayfromthefortressmonastery,flyinghardforthesouth.Theringofchurned-updesertanddeadxenosgavewaytoaseaofcreaturesofeverysize,fromthosenobigger thanvermin toexamplesas largeasbattletanks.Therewasnotascrapofsandvisiblethrough theirmultitudes, and though shells screameddown into them, blasting hundreds to pieceswitheveryhit,theholesfilledrapidly.‘Itisnomoreusethanthrowingstonesintotheocean,’growledRhacelus.‘Wehaveotherproblems,’saidAntros,hiseyesclosedinalighttrance.‘Theyarecomingforus.’The pilot’s voice bore out Antros’ predictions. ‘Be warned, my lords, the aerial swarms approach.Initiatingevasivemanoeuvres.’The Thunderhawk’s engines screamed up to maximum power, jolting Rhacelus in his armour. Heswitchedviewsbetween theexternal lensesof the ship,untilhecaught sightof flocksofblack shapesswirlinglikesentientsmoketowardsthemfromtheeast.Theywereareplicationofthecosmicswarmsreaching for individual worlds. The tyranids were fractal in organisation, their hierarchy and theirmovementsrepeatedateveryscale.The view grew uncertain. Residue accumulated on the augur lenses. The engines coughed as tyranid

microorganismscloggedtheintakes.Theaerialswarmsswitchedandmovedasone.Intheirprecisechoreographyitwaseasytoseethemasonecreature,notmany.The ship outpaced the eastern swarmwith ease, but others appeared to the south, spreading like anopeninghandtocatchthem.ThehorizongrewblackoverthemountainswheretheThunderhawkswereheading,untiltheskywasathickswirlingmassofwingedbodies.TheThunderhawks’weaponsopenedfire.Theirarmamentwaspitifullyinadequatetotakeonsomanybeasts.‘Mylord,’voxedthepilot.‘Wewillhavetoturnback.Wecannotpass thisswarm,it isawall in thesky.’‘Holdyourcourse,’statedMephiston.‘Andopentherearramp.’Alarmsclanged through thepassengercabinas the rear-facingassault rampdroppeddown, formingaslopethatendedasablacklineagainstthefadedredofthedesert.‘Ishallreturninafewmoments,brothers,’saidMephiston.Therewerewarriors fromotherChapterswithin theThunderhawkwhohadnever seenMephiston inaction. Rhacelus grinned at their reaction asMephiston unlocked his boots from the floor and strodetowardsoblivion.Empyricenergycoursedthroughthetransporthold,Mephistonitsfocus.Withacracklingsnap,wingsofrubyenergyunfurledfromhisbackandMephistonleaptintotheairwithoutbreakinghisstride,drawingtheswordVitarusashetookflight.‘Hereallywillreturninafewmoments,’saidRhacelus.HefocusedhisattentiononcemoreonthefeedfromtheThunderhawk’sexternalsensors.Propelledbythelimitlesspowerofthewarp,Mephistonstreakedpastthegunships.Astormofredenergybuiltinfrontof him, trailing streamers of gases chilled out of the atmosphere. The Lord ofDeath held outVitarusbeforehim,hisetherealwingsbeatingwithfirm,steadystrokesoutoftimewiththegreatspeedhewastravelling.Awordless,psychicshoutroaredfromMephiston’spowerfulmind,andthestormaroundhimexpandedtoabroadglobe,shakingtheThunderhawks.Writhingenergiespassedthroughtheirairframesandsparkedfromthepsykers’armourwithin.TheLordofDeath’spowerconcernedRhacelus.Hespenthisquiethourswonderingifthebeinghecalledamasterandfriendtrulywasonthesideoftheangels.Thestormstabilised,makingabarrieraroundtheThunderhawks.Itflickeredwitheruptionsofpinkandred lightning thatgrewfierceras theaerial swarmapproached.The tyranidswouldattempt tosloworstopthem,iftheycouldnotdestroytheThunderhawksoutright,untilthepursuingswarmscaughtthemup,andtheirheavier,slower,flyingbeastscouldbebroughtintoplay.Then,theLibrarianswouldbefinished.Suchatactichadprobablyworkedamilliontimesonamilliondevouredworlds,buttherewasonlyoneMephiston,andthehivemindhadyettoexperiencethefullpotencyofhiswrath.RhaceluslethisempyricalsensesbrushMephiston’smindbriefly,fortopushdeeperinviteddeathattheChiefLibrarian’sownhand.Thechill,coldfuryofMephiston’srageoutmatchedthehungerofthehivemind.RhacelusthoughtitcoulddullthelightoftheAstronomicanitself.Thewarpheavedaroundthem.Thehivemind’svastnesshadcalmedittodoldrums.Mephistonstirreditintoapsychichurricane.The tyranids shrieked as they neared their prey. Weapons symbiotes extended from aerodynamichousings.Clawsflexedinanticipationofthekill.Mawsglowedwithbuildingbioplasmicgeneration.Into theswarmtheglobeofenergywent.Theskiesflashedforahundredmilesaroundwithunnaturalauroras.ThetyranidsdisappearedasMephiston’swrathconsumedthem.MostofthosepresentknewthisabilityastheBloodLance,butnoneofthemcouldwielditasMephistondid.Atremendous,electricroarshookthecraftasthestormboredaholerightthroughthetyranidswarm.Greasyashthumpedagainstthe

ships.TheLibrariansmoanedastheyfoughttokeepholdoftheirsoulswhileimmersedintheambitofMephiston’soverwhelmingpower.TheThunderhawkbucked,and theywere through.On the ship’sview,Rhacelus sawclear skyahead.Thestormwinkedout.Mephistonturnedbacktowardstheship.Hiswingswerefadingandshrinkinginonthemselves.Allpyskershadlimits.Mephiston,strongthoughhewas,hadreachedhis.Theshipshookwithengineexertion,blurringRhacelus’vision.Heunlockedhisboots,leanedforwardagainsttheaccelerationandheadedfortheramp.‘Somebody, help me!’ he called against the howling engine noise. Antros came down first, then aCodicieroftheRedKnights,andaLexicaniumoftheBloodLegion.‘Hewillreturninamoment,’Rhacelusshouted,relyingonvoxandaugmitteramplificationtoconveyhiswords.‘Donotlethimfall!’The swarmwas receding behind them, its constituent partswheeling around in the sky to pursue theescapingSpaceMarines.Rhaceluslockedhisbootstotheramponlyattheveryedge.Hescannedtheemptyskies.‘Whereishe?’shoutedAntros.Abangontherampansweredhisquestion.Anarmouredhandappeared.Mephistonclawedhiswayup.Vitarusrangonthemetal.Rhacelustrappedthebladewithhisfoottopreventitfallingfromthegunship.Mephiston could rise no further. His eyes glowed red in his pallid face. His teeth were bared, hiscaninesfullyextended.RhaceluskneltandgrabbedMephiston’sarm.‘Someonetake thesword,andhelpmedraghimin!’hecalled.TheotherspulledattheChiefLibrarian.Hewas unabletomove,andadeadweightinhisarmourthattaxedtheirstrength,buttheyhauledhimaboard.‘Shuttheramp!’commandedRhacelus.Pistonsdrewtheexitshut.Theroaringoftheenginesandrushofairwassealedawayfromtheirears.AsecondmindmadeitselfknowntoRhacelus,asraveningastheRedThirst,yetcoldlycalculating.Inthefractionofthesecondofcontact,thesimilaritieswithMephiston’ssoulwerestriking–acreatureofimmensepower,possessedofahungerthatcouldneverbesated.Aflareofpowershovedawaythealienpresence.Mephistonliftedhishead.Bloodranfromhiseyes.‘Flyfaster!’hesnarledatRhacelus.Hearingtheirlord,thepilotspushedtheenginestotheirlimits,andtheThunderhawksspedonwardtotheCruorMountains,leavingtheaerialswarmlabouringfarbehind.

CHAPTERNINETEENLORDOFBLOOD

Asprayofboltsfinishedthe’gauntmid-leap.Thequarrycliffsechoedtotheirdetonationslongafterthething’sbrokenshellcrunchedupontherock.TheThunderhawkswere already away, racing fast from the gaining aerial swarms.Out from theArxAngelicumthetyranidpresencewasminimal;therewasnotmuchonBaalotherthantheSpaceMarines,butsmallgroupshadevidentlybeendispatchedtodealwithplaceslikethebloodstonequarry.Servitorslaydeadwheretheyhadfallen,theirloadsofstoneandtoolsspilled.Thesehadnocombatprotocols,andtheyhadbeenslaughteredwhiletheywereworking.Rhacelustrudgedupalowfanofangular,machinedrock,grimacingwhenhespiedasmalltyranidorganismnosingthroughtheinnardsofadeadcyborg.Hekilledthecreaturewithacasualtwitchofhismind,andtoedtheremainsoftheservitorwithhisboot.Theremains lay inastickypoolofmixedbloodandoil. Itsmetal torsocasinghadbeenmelted throughbyacidspray, theorganics insidepartconsumed.Thedeadcyborg lookedupatRhaceluswithopen,dulleyes.Theyneverseemedmorehumanthanindeath.Suchpitystirredintheepistolarythathebenttoclosethething’seyelidswithhishand.Anotherseriesofboltshotsrangout.Rhaceluslookeddowntothewideopenspaceinfrontoftheminegates. Space Marine Librarians swept the area clear. They relied on their weapons in the main,conserving theirpsychicmight for thecomingritual.At thatmoment theywere thegalaxy’smostover-poweredcombatpatrol,hethought.Themine’smachinerywasuntouched.Thetyranidshadnointerestinit,andsawnothreatfromit,sotheconveyors,rockcrushers,earthshiftersandmorestoodreadyforservice.Onlytheservitorsweredead,and theyhadbeencomprehensivelyexterminated.Theminewascompletelyautonomous,andhadgoneintolockdownassoonasthexenosattacked.Itsarmouredgateswereclosedfastagainstthealienhordes.Theouterparthadbeenanopencastfacility.Withitsloadofbloodstoneworkedoutmillenniaago,theservitorshadfollowedtheveinsofcrystalintothemountain.TheCruorMountainswerethesolesourceanywhereforbloodstones,withwhich theBloodAngelsandcertainfavouredsuccessorsadorned theirarmour.TheywereofimmenseimportancetotheChapter,forthestonesheldritualandspiritualmeaningthatfewoutsiderswereallowedtoknowof.

Square-cutmachinecliffssurroundedthecentralpit.Tothesoutharoadforautomatedhaulersleduptothe surface. The CruorMountains rose, flat peaks to the south east, south and west. The quarry wasenormous,apit,butitwasameanatriumtothevastmineworkingshiddenundertheground.Rhacelus sniffed the air. Powdered rock, spilt oil and thin cyborg blood, the aseptic scent of tyranidvitae,whollyunpalatable,andthemoisturelessexpanseofBaal’sglobaldesert.‘Asgoodaplaceforalaststandasany,’hemutteredbleakly.‘Itisthisway.’MephistonwasleaningonAntros,pointingtoapaththatledupfromthequarrythroughinterleavedpilesoftailingsawayfromthemainmineentrance.TheLordofDeath’s voicewas awhisper inRhacelus’ vox-bead.Hewonderedhowmany times theLordofDeathcouldstretchhimselflikethisandsurvive.Eachmajorexpenditureofeffortinthiscrisiswore him down a littlemore.His strength had yet to return from his battle in the sky, and he leanedheavily onLuciusAntros. Rhaceluswas disturbed at the sight.He did not trust the younger Librarianentirely.Antroswastooeagerforpower.TherewassomethingunseemlyinthewayhefussedovertheChiefLibrarian.HehadknownpeoplelikethatinKemrender,backbeforehisapotheosis.Theambitiouswerealwaysdrawntothestrong.Mephistonwasadistant, strange, isolated figure.He rememberedCalistarius, themanMephistonhadbeen.Sometimeshe thoughthecouldseebitsofhisoldbrother in theLordofDeath,buthecouldnotspeakout toMephiston inhonesty likehecouldhavedonewithCalistarius.Noonecould.Thewordscouldbesaid,butMephistonwassoimmuredinhisown,strangestatetheywerenotheard.RhacelushadaskedthepriestAlbinustospeakwithhim;hewasarguablyhisonlyotherfriend,butMephistonhadshutAlbinusoutatthemeresuggestionthatAntros’powerwasgrowingtooquickly.Rhacelusrebukedhimself.Thesethoughtswouldnotdo.Antroswasofthelibrarius.Mephistonjudgedhimworthy,soshouldhe.Hewasgettingintolerant inhisoldage.Antroswasthesameasanypsyker.They were all strange, it was in their nature. He forgot, sometimes, that he was no different to hisbrothers.‘Myeyesglowallthedamnedtime,andIamcharmlesslymisanthropic,’hescoldedhimself.Hewenttojointheothers.

The path led them through heaps of crushed spoil to the side of themountain.A small portal of thickplasteel barred the way within. Mephiston withdrew a signum-key from his belt and bid the lock’smachine-spiritopen.‘Obeying,’ sighed the door,with a voice asworn and empty as the desert.The door clunked into itshousing.Mephistonwentinfirst.Rhacelusbeckonedtherestafter,hisgazeeverontheskies.TheywentintoawidecorridorcarvedfromthebonesofBaal.Rhacelusfeltsomethingdownthere.Hehad readwidely, andspokenwithpsykersofmanykinds.He recalled the ideaof the ‘world spirit’, aconfusing eldar concept that seemed to apply both to their artificial pseudo-organic informationalnetworksandtothenativeanimusofaworld.Everythingtheeldarbelievedwasoffensivetothehumanmind,possessedofdiametricallyopposeddualitythatmadeanonsenseoftheirphilosophies.Sometimes,though,Rhacelusthoughttheremightbesomethingtowhattheysaid.Theirunderstandingofthewarpwasdangerouslyflawed,butevenso,therewasafeeltoplaces.Rhacelushadbeenwitnesstomanystrangethingsthattheteachingsofthelibrariuspoorlyexplained.Baal’sspiritthen,ifthatwaswhathefelt;itwashugeandimmobile,anossifiedthingwithlittlelifebutgreatpresence,likeatoweringmesaofdrystone.Inthedimpast,unusualtunnelshadbeenuncoveredbythegiantgrindingmachinesoftheImperiumattheendsoftheseworkings.Thepassageendedabruptly.Concentricmarksofamachinedrill’steethforever

markedthespotwheretheBloodAngelsservantshadbrokenthroughintothelabyrinth.The machines the Blood Angels employed plundered the stone with little regard for the mountains,making tunnels that were straight and broad and obliterated everything in the process. The passagesbeyondweresurgical,aconfusionofintersectinggalleriesasdelicateasacirculatorysystem,preciselyfollowing a single seam of bloodstone. There was a suggestion that these older workings werecontemporaneouswith the Carceri Arcanum. Perhaps theywere notmade by human hand. Theywerecertainlyoddlyproportioned,beingwideandlow.Mysteriousastheywere, thetunnelswereunimportant.Wheretheyledwas.Thetunnelswentfar intoBaal,abruptlyterminatingatonespectacularcavethatnoteventheImperiumhadthehearttopillage.Thissacredplace,theRuberica,ortheHeartofBaal,wastheLibrarians’destination.

Abloodstoneblooddripwas amarkof honour of aSpaceMarine’s kinshipwithSanguinius.Severalvariations were awarded for notable deeds on and off the battlefield, including mastery of the FiveVirtuesandtheFiveGraces.The jewelswerenot only symbolic, eachonewas alsomildlypsychically resonant. Individually, thestonesweretoosmalltohaveanyeffectonthebearer,butwheretherewasalargeamountofthecrystaltheyamplifiedpsychicpower.ThewarpitchinRhacelus’eyesintensified.Thelighttheyemittedburnedbrighter.Hislimbsfeltstronger,hismindsharper.Theaurasofhiscompanionsbecamebrightenoughtoseeinthemortalrealm,andstruckglimmersofreflectedempyricalpowerfromthewallsofthecaves.Gradually,thepressureoftheshadowinthewarpslippedaway,takingRhacelus’headachewithit.Hebreathedeasilyforthefirsttimeindays.Mephiston also drew strength from the site, effecting a remarkable recovery. Early on he shook offAntros’helpingarm,andsoonhewaswalkingsteadilywithgreatpurpose.Physicallythetunnelswerealso a balm. They had a never-changing pleasant cool. In the deeper chambers there was a hint ofinvigoratinghumidity.By the time they neared the wide mouth of the Ruberica, the party glowed with warp-born might.Rhacelusfeltinvincible.Heremindedhimselfthathewasnot,fornobodywas.Afalsesenseofpowercouldundotheireffortsofthenextfewhours,possiblydamnthemall.Rhacelusorderedtheirveteranbodyguardtoremainoutside,andthepartymadetheirwaywithin.The cave mouth was worked partway. Whoever had made the ancient tunnels had stopped theirexcavationswhenthegloryoftheRubericahadbecomeapparenttothem,muchastheSpaceMarineshadceasedtheirexcavationswhentheyhadencounteredthelabyrinth.Chiselmarksofunfathomableantiquitystill scored thewall.Rhacelus traced themwithhis fingersuntil theysuddenlystopped,and theSpaceMarineswereinatubeofconvoluted,naturalstoneuntouchedbyanytool.Itwasvolcanicinorigin,thereneverhavingbeenenoughwateronBaaltocreatecavesbyhydrologicalprocess,buthowexactlyithadbeenformedwasanothermystery.The tunnel opened out into awide, dark space.Mephistonwas first into theRuberica.Once he hadpassedintotheroomitdidnotremaindarkforlong.Tendrilsofpsychicpowerwispedoutfromhishead.Where they touched the cavern’s sides, light kindled in the hearts of the giant crystalline formationsencrusting every surface. Tall, hexagonal pillars of pure bloodstone pointed towards the centre of thechamber,asifthecavewereagiantgeode.On the floor the crystalsmade an uneven but passable pavement that stepped up and down in prettygeometric blocks of translucent stone. As the other pyskers came within the chamber the light grew,glowing from every surface, so that shortly theLibrariansmoved through aworld saturated in bloodylight.ThoseSpaceMarinesstillwearingtheirhelmsremovedthem.Theirskinwasstainedallthesame

shade,thewhitesoftheireyesandenameloftheirteethdelicatepinkintheirruddyfaces.Thereweremanystrangethingsaboutthecavern.Amongthesewasthatthecrystalshealedthemselves,likea living, siliceousorganism.The finest exampleof thiswasa servitor fromanearliermillenniumencased up to itswaist in the floor.Crystals sprouted all over the rest of it, hiding its human form inimmovablearmourofrubyshards.AccidentalnicksandcracksinflictedbytheweightofSpaceMarinebattleplatewerealwaysrepaired thenext time thecavewasutilisedby the librarius for its rituals,butelsewhere the crystals did not grow, and remained marked when damaged. Far from encouragingharvestingoftheRuberica,thisstrangephenomenononlyincreasedthelibrarius’venerationofthesite.Thefloorroseuptoanaturalpodium.Mephistonmadeforthisplaceandstooduponit.Hewaitedfortherestof theparty to file inand takeup theirstationsat lesser raisedpointsof thefloor,untilall theLibrarianswere arrayed at differingheights in a loose circle aroundhim.Thendid theLordofDeathspeak.‘Ihavetoldyouallwhatwemustaccomplishhere,inthismostsacredofplaces,andthatitisdangerousandheretical,’ saidMephiston. ‘Know thatwehaveno choice.ThedaemonknownasKa’Bandhahaslongcovetedoursouls.Heismovingagainstuswhileweareatourmostvulnerable.’Mephiston’svoicehadanunusualvigour,asofonewhohas recently feduponwarmblood,but thecrystalsabsorbed thesound,preventingechoes,andsohisspeechwascuriouslyflat.‘Ifheisnotstopped,theconsequencesforourbloodlinewillbecatastrophic,’hecontinued. ‘Allofusherewish thatwecould standbesideourbrothersagainst thexenos.Whatwedo in thiscave today isas important, ifnotmoreso.The tyranidsrepresentthegravestthreattothecorpusoftheImperium,butChaos,theancientfoe,isthegreaterdanger.Itimperilsthesoul.Ifwearenotsuccessfulhere,ourbrotherswilllosebothlifeandspirit.Butwewillbe successful.We shall bind thedaemonKa’Bandha, and abjure him, sopreventinghis ingress to thisrealm. Thenwe shall rejoin ourChapters, and scour the alien from thisworldwith the power of thewarp.’MephistonnoddedtoEpistolaryMarcello,designatedthecallerofthewordfortheceremony.Rhacelustookadeepbreath.ThiswholeenterprisehadbeendugoutofanancientbookinMephiston’spersonalcollection.Itstankofsorcery.Thelinebetweenmagicandthepure,Emperor-sanctionedutilisationofthewarpwassilk thinandwavering,but thiswasnomisjudgement; theywereabout to leapover the linewithbothfeet.‘Begin!’calledMarcello.‘Sharetheblood.’Inmajor ceremoniesat theArx,blood thralls aided them.Chaplains stoodby toguard theLibrariansagainstspiritualcorruption.SanguinarypriestsattendedtoprotectthepurityoftheBlood.Therewouldbesinging to calm the spirit, and incense to cleanse the psychosphere. None of that was utilised. TheLibrariansstoodaloneonthebrinkofdamnation.Grimly,Rhacelus twisted the release seal on his left gauntlet and pulled off the armoured glove.Heflexedhishandintheredlight.HiseyesmetwiththeLexicaniumtohisleft.Hedidnotknowhimbeyondapsychicimpressionandanameonascrollplate.Understandingpassedbetweenthem.Rhacelusoffereduphiswrist.TheotherbenthisheadtoRhacelus’baredfleshandfastenedhismoutharoundit.Rhacelusgaspedastheneedle-sharpangel’steethoftheotherpiercedhisskin.TheLibrariandrankwithincreasingurgency.‘Enough,’saidRhacelus.Theotherdidnotrelent.‘Enough!’hesaidfirmly,andpulledhishandfree.Threedropsofblooddrippedfromhiswristbeforehis SpaceMarine physiology closed thewounds. The Lexicanium blinked and steppedwoozily back,blooddrunk.

Thewarriorontherightoffereduphiswrist toRhacelus.TheCodicierdranksparingly,ashamedandexcitedbytherisingoftheRedThirst.Thesharingdone,theSpaceMarinesreplacedtheirgauntlets.Rhacelus’woundsalreadyitchedwiththeformationofscartissue.Thedeepacheofthewoundinhisfleshfaded.Thebloodtheyhadtakenfromoneanotherdidanythingbutfade.Itwarmedtheirstomachs,andshortlythereaftersangintheirveins.IneachofthescionsofSanguiniuswasatinyportionoftheGreatAngel’svitae,andtotasteitafreshawakenedtheirsouls.Brotherhoodboundthemtogethermoretightlythanever.WithmenhebarelyknewRhacelusnowhadanintimatebond.At the centre of it all stood Mephiston. He took no blood, but drank in the potency of the sharingnonetheless.He seemed to swell in size,becomingdark in countenance, shadowsgatheringaroundhisbacklikeflexingwings.‘Brothers,’hesaid,andhisvoicewasintheirearsandintheirminds,thickwithstolenlife.‘Lendmeyourarts.’Therubylightflared,becomingnotbrighterbutmoreintense,takingonaconsistencybeyondthatwhichlight should possess.Mephiston’s formwavered and grew.Hewas speakingwords no servant of theEmperorshouldeverutter.Awoundappearedbeforehim,asliceinrealitythatdrippedbloodandtorelikerentflesh.Itsplitwide,anditsedgebledfireandvitae.Through itRhacelus saw terrible things.Two armies of daemons, one black, one red, battled upon aplainofbone.Agateofscarlet light intheshapeofanangelopenedfromthedaemons’worldintohisown.Therewerestarsonhisside,andthecurveofaredworldwithtwomoonsencircledbywarringfleets.Baal–hewaslookingatBaal.Atitanicmonstrositywasonlyyardsfromthegate,ape-facedandwide-horned.Blood-redskinstrainedwitheveryswingofitsaxeasitfoughtitswaythroughthelastfewbeingsbarringitsway.Hideousfoes,almost as mighty as the creature, fell before its blade. From the daemon emanated a terrible, all-encompassingfurythatresoundedfromRhacelus’soullikethestrikingofabellcallinghimtoaneternityofwar.MephistonhadopenedawayintotherealmoftheBloodGod.Heresyofthefirstorder.Worsebyfar,itspokeofadarkpowerintheChiefLibrarianthatexceededthatofallthosewhohadcomebeforehim.Mephiston drew hard on the other Librarians; Rhacelus winced at the pain. The vital brotherhoodbetweenthepsykersstrainedlikeabulgingnet.Instinctively,Rhacelusknewthebondjoiningthemwasallthatpreventedthemfromfallingheadfirstintotheno-placesofthewarp.The view changed, swooping down over the battle.Mephiston sproutedwings, blood red and huge,traceriesoffineveinsvisible throughthestretchedskin.Hisbodywasblackasnight,andeyesaglow.Theview through the rip in space and timehalted in themawof the gate as the daemon slew its lastopponent.Ka’Bandharoaredatthesky,andhisfollowersscreamedouttheirpraisesofhim,andfellinafrenzyonthelastoftheblack-skinneddaemons,puttingthemtotheswordandfinallybreakingthem.Triumphantly,theAngels’Banesteppedtowardsthegate,readytofalluponBaal.TheLordofFurystopped,his triumphturnedto puzzlement.Hereachedahandto thegate tofindhiswaybarred.Snortingmistsofbloodfromhisnostrils,hepeereddownward,andtherespiedMephiston.Hegruntedalaugh,hisangryfacetwistingwithmirth.Heavydreadlocksboundinbrassrattleduponhisbreastplate.Yelloweyesshonewithfierydelight.‘Whatisthis?Littleangelsstopthegate.Ihavewontherighttopassthiswaybybloodandmight.Begone!Weshallseeeachothersoonenough.Ishallcallforyouandyouwilljoinme.’

‘Back!’spokeMephiston.Thespacebetweenheandthedaemonshimmeredwithheat.‘Youcannotpass.ThesonsoftheGreatAngeldonotpermitit.’Ka’Bandhasnortedagain.‘Youhavenobusinesshere,Calistarius,’hesaidmockingly.‘ThenhowamIhere?’shoutedMephistonback.‘Weabjureyou.Departfromthisgate,bythewilloftheGreatAngel.’Bywayofanswerthedaemonthrewbackhisheadandhowledwithragesothegroundshookandtheskyrumbledwithansweringthunder.‘Yourbroken-wingedlordhasnopoweroverme,’thedaemonsnarled.‘Iamcomingforyourhead,littleCalistarius,’hesaid,pointinghiscoiledwhipatMephiston.‘Baalshallfall,theangelswillseetheirtruenature,andKhorneshallrejoice!Yourlegionisgathered,afterallthistime.SuchafineharvestofwarriorsfortheBloodGod!’Helookedthroughtherift,andspiedtheothersinthecave.‘Allofyouwillfalltoyourkneesandgladlyfollowmebeforetheeighthdayofmymanifestationisout.’Ka’Bandha’s yellow eye passed overRhacelus.His soul shivered. The daemon’s gaze provoked therageinhim.Hismouththirstedforblood,hissoulforbattle,andinhismind’seyeunwelcomeflashesofwarsfoughtmillenniabeforeroseuptotroublehim.Hiscomradeswerenotsoagedashe.Rhaceluswassteepedinthewarp;centuriesofexperiencegavehim awisdom and resilience the others could not claim.Theweb binding the coven shuddered underKa’Bandha’sregard.Severalofthecompanyscreamedwithrage,butnonefell.Allstoodfirm.‘MykindhaveresistedyourtemptationssincethedawnoftheImperium,’saidMephiston.‘Youwillnotbestus.Begonefromhere.Thisisnotyourtime.’‘Iwillpass.’‘Turnback!’Ka’Bandhalaughedinasavage,brutalmirth.‘Thenlettheharvestbeofbloodratherthanwarriors!Youmaydieratherthanserveeasilyenough.Bloodisitsownreward.Khornecaresnotwhenceitflows,onlythatitflows.’The beast swung his axe at Mephiston. Psychic energy blasted out where blade met man. Skulls,dislodgedbytheshockwavefromthegroundofKhorne’srealm,flewineverydirectionandranghollowmusicalnotesastheyraineddownuponthesandandboneofthefalseearth.Within the cavern the impact shiveredout fromMephiston.Bondsuntil now invisible flaredbrightly,joiningthebreastofeachLibrariantohisfellowswithcracklingarcsofpower.Immaterialenergiesandtheforceoftheblowtogetherdissipatedintothecrystals,makingtherockformationssing.Themountainshook. The air shimmered with volcanic heat and flaming cinders burst from the psychic web. ButMephistondidnotfall.Ka’Bandharoaredinoutrage,andcasthisbeadyeyeovertheassembledLibrarians.‘HewhorenounceshisloyaltytothedeadEmperorshallberewardedwithimmortallife,soswearI,mostbelovedofKhorne,’saidKa’Bandha.Noonereplied,butRhacelusfelt,throughtheheatandtherage,afaintwavering.‘Doyousee,littleCalistarius,theyaretempted!’Thelastwordbecameagrunt,andhehewedwithhisaxeagainatMephiston.Warp-madeironclashedwiththedarkradianceofMephiston’ssoul.Powerblastedintothematerialuniversethroughtherift.ALibrarianoftheGoldenSonsdied,hiseyesburstingasflameconsumedhimfromwithin.Rhaceluswasdriventohisknees,andhecriedoutinagony.Againthatflickerofuncertainty.Helookedoutacrossthecrystalcave,seekingouttheweaknessintheweb.‘Twiceyouhavestruck,twiceIremainedunbowed,’saidMephiston.‘Nowitismyturn.’MephistondrewVitarus.Thesilversteelofthebladeblazedwithheat.Ka’Bandhaswungagain,andthistimeMephistonmettheblowwithhisownweapon.

Realitymoanedattheshock.Crystalssangandshattered.Firesburnedintheverystone.Themountainshookuponitsroot,andthewallsoftheRubericacracked.Ka’Bandhawasdrivenback,howlingwithanger.Herecovered,andranat therift, seeking tobypassMephistonandforcehiswaythroughtoBaal.Theweaknessinthepsychicwebgrew.Strandsofpowershrivelledaway,andRhacelus’gazefelluponAntros.The Librarian stood transfixed, andRhacelus knew in his heart that hewas enchanted; his facewasslack,andonehandwasrisingslowlytowelcomethebeastin.‘Antros! Concentrate! Let not the promises of the daemon sway you!’ shouted Rhacelus, quoting theLexicanium’sRule.Antros’perfectmouthmoved,formingthewordsofaprayer.‘Forintoevilamanshallfall,thoughevilheseektoavoid,ifheoncehearkenstotheblacktongueoftheNeverborn,’hesaidalongwithRhacelus.Rhacelusdrewonstrengthhethoughtlongexhausted,shoringuptheweakpointinthepsychicwebandlendinghispowertoMephiston.Ka’Bandhaforcedthegate.MephistonswungwithVitarus,andthebladepassedoutoftheriftintotheRealmofKhorne.Where it touched the leg of the angel of red fire, the flameswent out, the daemonsshrieked,andtheportalslammedshut.ButKa’Bandhawasnotdefeated.Hisheadandonearmemergedinto thecrystalcave,swipingat theLordofDeath.He roared andbellowed, his shouts breaking crystals andbursting the eardrumsof theSpaceMarinespresent.TheLibrarianshowledinagony,allofthem;moredied,butthestrongerfoughtthrough thepain, and intoKa’Bandha’s fierybreath theycast their spearsof lightand lancesofblood,woundingthebeast.Mephistonraisedhisswordagain,sweepingitdown.Itwastoolate.TheflawsownbyAntros’waveringruptured,andtheLibrariansreeledastheirfellowshipbroke.Withamightyheave,Ka’Bandhahauledhimselfthrough,breakingopentheriftandgateboth.Hestoodamomentintriumph,hisroarshakingthemountain,untilthewrathofSanguiniusgivenformblastedathimfromeveryLibrarian,andhefelloutofsightintoaspacebetweentheworlds.Theriftslammedshut.Themountaingaveoutafinaltorturedgrinding,andtherecameintothechamberthe rumble of falling stone as it shook. The Librarians were staggered from their feet.Wild psychicenergieslashedaroundtheRuberica.Crystalsthesizeoflandspeederscrashedfromtheirbeds,crushingmenundertheirweight,andtherubylightdimmedtoblackness.Slowly, the shaking subsided. The mountain returned to equilibrium. The clatter of falling bouldersoutsidethecaverncametoastop.Airmovedandhuffedaroundthecaveasthebonesoftheearthceasedtheirpainedgrindingandsettledintonewconfigurations.Rhacelusgottohisfeetslowly.Hisbodywasunharmed,buttherewasadeep,horrendousacheinhissoul.‘Mephiston!’hecried.Othervoicesspoke,callingtotheirbrothers.Groansansweredsome,andothers,silence.FallencrystalcrunchedunderRhacelus’feetashemadehiswaytothepodium.Lightreturned,fitfullyatfirst.Moreofhisbrothershadfallenthanhehadexpected.Theylaylifeless,bloodleakingfromtheirearsandnostrils.Twowereinadeadlyembrace,handslockedabouteachother’sthroats.Othershadclawedtheir own faces off in fits of rage, breaking open the skulls beneath. Blood was everywhere. Thesurvivorswerecollecting themselves.Allwereshaken,nomatter theirmight.Halfweredead, therestwouldneverbethesameagain.Mephiston lived. He crouched upon the podium. Vitarus was driven point down into the stone. He

grippeditsquillionsas if theywere theonly things in thegalaxythatcouldsupporthim.Hisheadwasbowed,andhiscloakpooledaroundhimlikebrokenwings.‘Mylord?’saidRhacelus.‘Mephiston?’ThelooktheLordofDeathgaveRhaceluswouldhaunthimuntiltheendofhisdays.‘Wefailed.Wewerenotstrongenough.Ka’Bandhahascomethroughintotheworldofmen.’Rhacelusnodded.Itwasasmuchashehadfeared.‘IsheonBaal?’Mephistongroanedandhauledhimselfup.‘No.Idonotthinkso,buthewillemergecloseby.Weshouldleave this place, warn Commander Dante. And perhaps we might make amends for our failure herethroughtheslaughterofxenos.’Rhaceluslookedbehindhim.Theentrancetothecavewasblockedbygiantslabsofrockandcrushedcrystal.‘Wehaveotherconcernstoaddressfirst,mylord.Wemustdigourwayout,andthatwilltakealongtime.’HereturnedhiseyestoMephiston.‘IfearthebattleforBaalisfinishedforus.’

CHAPTERTWENTYATTHETHIRDLINE

‘D-d-d-d-da,’stammeredtheboy.Uiguistirredoutofahalfsleephauntedbyscreamingmonsters.Whenherememberedwherehewas,hewaseagertogetbacktohisnightmare.‘What?’hesaid.Theywereoutbeyondthewall,stuckbehindthefeebledefencelineinthefaceofthetyranidsandthefrigiddesertnight.Themoonsshoneblandlyinaskycrowdedwithalienhorrors.Thegunshadneverstopped,notonce,andtheshieldsoftheangels’homegutteredunnaturalflameinresponseto the living bombardment. Horrible shrieks sounded in the desert, the sound of tortured artilleryscreamingasitfired.Onthefarsideofthemoatblood-chillingscreechesandcrieshauntedthenight.Butnoassaultcame.Hefeltintolerablyheavy,andweariedbeyondcomprehension.‘W-w-w-whyarewewaitinghere?I-i-i-it’scold.I’mscared.W-w-whydidtheymakeuscomeback?’Theboywasalla-twitch,shouldersrisingandrotatingwithawilloftheirown.Itwasalwaysthatwaywhenhewasscared.Hisson,losttohimnow,wouldneverhaveaskedsuchstupidquestions,butwouldhaveastoundedUiguiwithhis insights.Norwouldhehavewrithedsopiteously.Uiguimissedhisson,andhadnotimefortheboy’swhimpering.‘We’re themeat in the trap,’ he said viciously. ‘We are here, in front of their vile xenos noses, rightwheretheycansmellus.Theywant toeatus,don’tyousee?We’resoftermeat thantheangels intheirarmour.’‘Stopit,Da,stopit!You’rescaringme!’Theboyclampedhisfistsoverhisearsandbegantorockonhishaunches.Uiguigavehimalookofdisgustandspat.Hismouthtastedofbattlesmokeandxenosfluids.Hewipedhisarmacrosshismouth.Aghostlywhitefaceloomedoutofthedarkness.Uigui’sstomachspasmedatthesight.Anangel inblackwitha skull for ahelmet stareddownat them.He toweredover thedefence line’screnellations,butseemedtohavenofearoftheenemypickinghimoff.‘Whatisthisnoise?’theangelsaid,withavoiceasdeepasthenight.

ForamomentUiguithoughtitwasthewarrior-priesthehadencounteredinAngel’sFall,beforeallthisbegan,whentheywereignorantofthecomingthreat.Thenherealisedhisarmourwasstyleddifferently,andhisvoicewassterner.Hetriedtotellhimselftherewasamaninsidethepowerarmour,buthismindwouldnotacceptit.Uiguicursedtheattentionthewarrior-priestswerepayinghimoflate.Uiguithrewhimselfdown,tuggingtheboyafterhimtogrovelattheangel’sfeet.‘Iamsorry,mylord!Forgiveus.’Uigui’sfacepressedintothesand.Itwasstrangelyscented.Baalwassoalientohim.‘Our creed teaches us that onlywe can forgive ourselves.Hold your silence, or youwill hurry yourdeath.Doyouwishthat?’‘Iamsorry,mylord,theboyisfrightened.’The angel’s breathing rasped from his augmitter. Uigui risked a glance upward. The angel was amountainofblackarmourlitbyfireandvoidshieldlight,toppedwithaskulllikeaforbiddingshrine,inwhosesocketsfiresglowed.‘Backtoyourpost,’saidthewarrior.‘Itisnormalforyourkindtoknowfear.TrustintheGreatAngel,aimtruly,andallwillbewell.’Uiguidraggedhimselfbackup.Theangelwatchedhimcuriously.‘IcannotmovemyarmsandlegsasIwould,’saidUigui,explaininghissluggishreaction.‘Thisweaponweighsasmuchasananvil.Wecannotrun.Thisaccursedweight.Baalisaplaceforangels.Wesinbybeinghere.’‘Youarenotcursed.Itisonlytheworld–themassofthisplanetishigherthanofthemoons.Itisgravitythatafflictsyou,notacurse,’saidtheangel.Theboy,forallhisidiocy,wasquickerthanUigui,andwasalreadybackatthefiringslit.‘M-m-m-mylord,’saidtheboy.‘Silence!’hissedUigui.‘Lethimspeak!’growledtheangel.‘Whatisit?’‘Th-th-th-th-thereissomethingoutthere,’hesaid.Theboypointedoutintothedark.Uiguisquinted,butcouldseenothingamidtheshatteredcorpsesoftheenemyonthefarshore.Thethirstwaterglintedwiththelightofreflectedfire.Theangelswunghisheadaroundandlookedout.‘Where?’hesaid.Theboypointed.Astheboyraisedhisfinger,abeastplummetedshriekingfromthesky,splashingintothethirstwaterwithwingsfolded.Anotherfollowed,thenanother.‘Movementonthefarbank!’saidtheSpaceMarine.Uigui did not have the advantage of SpaceMarine eyes, and saw nothing beyond the pale, streakingshapesofcreaturesrainingoutofthesky.Theangelsaidsomething tohisbrothersviahisarmour’sdevices.Arippleofgunssoundedfromthehomeof the angels, and the skywas filledwith slowly falling stars that flooded thedesertwithharshlight.ThenUiguisaw.A livingcarpetof ’gauntscrept towards themoaton theirbellies,smallerbeasts thesizeofratsmovingstealthilyamongthem.‘Theyareattemptingtocross.Openfire!’shoutedOrdamael.Gunsspokealldowntheline,thecrackingreportsofthousandsoflasgunsintermingledwiththeisolatedflatbangsofbolters.Theflaresprompteda reaction.Allatonce thousandsofwingedcreaturesbegan to throwthemselves

fromthesky into themoat,screechingas theyfellandwereconsumed,andon thefarside theslinkingaliensroseupandrushedforwardasone.Thegunsonthecurtainwallopeneduponthehorde.War’spandemoniumwasunleashedoncemore.

Ordamaelreceivedaflurryofdata-squirtsfromvariousplaces:thestrategium,theCitadelReclusiam,thecompanycommandersoverseeingthesectionofthecurtainwallbehindhim.Thetyranidswereattackingatfivedistinctpoints.Theaerialswarmwashurlingitselfintothemoatacrossspacesnomorethanfiftyfeetwide.Theterrestrialcreaturesapproachedthesamesegments.‘Theymeantofillthemoatwiththeirdead,’hetoldthemortals.‘Teachthemtheerroroftheirways!’‘All sections prepare for immediate armoured support,’voxed a voice he did not know. A datatagsignifieditascomingfromthestrategium.‘Standbyforheavyartillerybombardment.’Thetyranidswerewily.Broodsoflesser’gauntsracedupanddownthebank,drawingmuchofthefireofthehumanconscripts.‘Concentratefireonthecrossingpoint!’Ordamaelbellowedoverthewhistleofshellsandexplosionsthatobliteratedthousandsofcreaturesonthefarside.Anincandescentstreamofplasmaturnednightintoday,charringthefallingaerialcreaturesintocarbonattheedgesofitstrack,evaporatingthemcompletelyattheheart.Thehumanscriedoutastheirunprotectedeyesweredamaged.Ordamael’ssensoriumpingedout warning notes. His eye-lenses darkened to compensate. When the stream cut out and his lensescleared,hewasblinkingawayafter-images.Stillthecreaturescame.Theaerialswarmwassothickthatitfellinanalmostsolidtorrent,obscuringthe creatures charging into thewater from the far side.As during the day, thousands of tyranids died.Heavyweaponscutthedroppingcreaturestopieces.Titan-killerspunchedmassiveholesintheswarm.Itwastonoavail.Slowlybutsurely,themoatwasfillingwithcorpses.Thebonesoftyraniddeadrosetothe surface asmore andmore creatures poured themselves into themoat. Even as the bone causewaybrokethesurfaceofthehungrywater,theycontinuedtodie;asplashfromthemoatwasadeathsentence.Convulsing’gauntsspilledfromthesidesofthecauseway,wideningit.Itrosehigherfromthewater,untilitssnoutwasproudofthekillingliquid.The’gauntspouredon,thosestrainsarmedwithrangedweaponsnotevenbotheringtodischargethemastheythrewthemselvestotheirdeath.Therainofaerialcreaturescontinued.Ahugesplashexplodedupwardasalargerflyingbeastcrashedinto thewater righton the edgeof the extending rampart. It took its time indying, thrashingabout andspraying deadly liquid all over the creatures rushing to use it as a bridge.Hundredsmore fell to theconcentratedfireoftheSpaceMarines.Theirdeathswereofnoaccount,onlytheirmasswas.Whetheritsminionsfellwholeorinpiecesintothemoatwasirrelevanttothehivemind,solongastheyfell.‘Keepfiring!’shoutedOrdamael.‘Westandintheeyeofthestorm!TheEmperorisimmobileuponhisGoldenThrone,hereliesonyouforvictory!Yourstrength,yourwill!Donotdisappointhim.’His words were drowned out by the terrible racket of the swarm. Being close to so many of themaffectedthemind.Histhoughtswerefilledwithnamelessdread.Ordamaelwasnotonetobefrightened.Hepushedasidetheartificialfearcontemptuously,helduphisgunandstrodeforwardbeyondthedefenceline,sendingboltswingingtheirwayintothehorde.Seeingtheangelofdeathstandunharmedbeforethefuryoftheenemyheartenedthemortaltroops,andtheirfirerateincreased.Theycouldnotmiss.Everylas-beamfelledanalien.Itdidnotmatter.TheleadedgeofthecausewayapproachedtheImperialsidewithincreasingspeed,thealiensbuildingupon the now firm foundations of their own dead. Screeching hormagaunts sprang forward from theadvancinglip.Severalflounderedinthewaterclosetotheedge,longclawsstabbingintothebanktohaulthemselvesoutastheyweredevouredalive.

Thenextgroupwouldmakethejump.‘Concentrateupon the lead elements!’Ordamael shouted.Support fire from the curtainwall switchedtargets,hominginonthecausewaysthemselves.Thebonebridgeswerehitseveraltimes,buteverycraterwas rapidly filled, and the causeways grew wider, pushing out the thirstwater. Free of its rockcretechannelandsatedwiththemoistureofamillionaliendead,itseepedawayintothesand.Xenoshoovesandclawsclickedondrybone.Gunfirescythedthetyranidsdown.Theycameonstill.Thefirstoverwereahundredleapinghormagaunts.Theyboundedhighover thelastdozenfeetof thethirstwater,andlandedonthenearsideofthemoat.Ordamael blasted three to nothing as they galloped the short distance to the defence line. Las-beamscrackedthroughtheair,butthecreaturesweretoofastforthemortalstoeasilyhit.TheywerealmosttooquickforOrdamael.Threerapidlyaimedshotstookdowntwomore,andthentheywereonhim.‘By the Blood am I strong, by the Blood do I serve.’ He swung his crozius, obliterating a ’gaunt.Disruptionlightningchaseditselfuphisarmsandeartheditselfintheground.Heblewtheheadoffanother’gaunt.Athirdhekickedasitleaptathim,pulverisingitsribcagewithhisbootanddestroyingitsorgans.Butthereweretoomany,fartoomany.Tank engines roared. Armoured vehicles cut up the hundred yard gap between the defence line andcurtain wall. The void shield rippled as they passed through and opened fire. Their heavy weaponsmoweddownhundredsofthebeastsinamoment,slowingthetyranids’screamingassaultoverthebonecauseway.Theywere too late to save themortals.Thehumansweredying, engagedat close rangeby creaturesdesignedonlytokill.The’gaunts’faceswerewrinkledasifinhate.Dotheyhateus?wonderedOrdamael.Dotheyknowemotionatall?Hepaused,tornbetweenrunningto thefront to fightwith the tanksandsaving thehumanswhohadfoughtunderhiscommand these lastdays.ItisaBloodAngel’sdutytoprotect,hesaidtohimself.Theyhaveservedtheirpurpose.Weusedthemcallously.Ishallnotabandonthemnowtheirroleisplayed.Ordamaelranbacktowardsthedefenceline,bolterfiring.Hegunneddowntwoofthecreatures.Boltshrapnelfromthe’gaunts’deathsslewoneofthemortals. Unavoidable.Theotherslivedforhisefforts.Hevaultedthewall,gunstillfiring.Themortalswereindisarray.Manywerelyingonthefloorinterror,thoughsomefoughtaswellastheycould.Hebanishedhisawarenessoftheblooduponthesandfromhismind,thoughhistreacherousbodyrespondedeagerlytothesmell.His bolt pistol emptied. He ejected his magazine and loaded a fresh one as he scanned the groundbetweenthethirdandsecondlines.Therewerefewtyranidsinthekillingfield.Thelinesoftankswereholdingbackthexenos.Thiswasasgoodachanceasthemortalsweregoingtoget.‘This line is lost. You have done your part here. Retreat. The Emperor watch over you. Take yourweapons.Fallbacktothewall.’Forthefinaltime,themortalsturnedfromthedefencelineandran.Ordamaelwatchedthemgo.TheystruggledtoruninBaal’sirongrip,butenoughpassedthroughthevoidshield, leaving man-sized ripples. What few tyranids moved to intercept them were shot by SpaceMarinesonthecurtainwall.Therewereonlyafractionofthemortalsleft,buttheseones,atleast,wouldlive.Ademolishercannonboomedclosetothemoat,thevindicatoritwasmounteduponrockedbackonitssuspensionby thedischarge.Ordamaelmoved forward, intending topickoff the fewcreatures thatgotcloseenough to thearmour toposea threat,but,ashe ran, thevindicatorexplodedviolently, throwingOrdamaelfromhisfeet.Amightyroaringfolloweditsdemise.

He lifted his head up, groggy from the explosion. Dozens of heavy assault beasts were crossing thebridge.Aquickglanceathis cartolith showedhim the situationwas the sameat fourof the fiveothercrossingsthetyranidshadattempted.Thetanksreversed,thosewithturretstrackingroundtobettertargettheapproachingbeasts.Twohuge things that scuttled likearachnidsunleashed livingrounds fromtheirmassivesymbioticcannons.Bloatedpodsrupturedonthehullsofthetanks,coveringtheminoilyfluids.Hurtlingseedsfollowedfromthecannon’ssecondbarrels,reactingwiththeoilsonthemetal.Thehollowthumpsofimplosionturnedtwotanksinsideout.Thenfromthewallscameabloodthirstyhowling,andOrdamaelknewfromthatsoundhowgravethesituationhadbecome.

Uiguiandtheboywerestaggeringthroughavisionofhell.Theirleadenbodiesrefusedtoobey.TheyranwithhorrifyingslownessthroughtheadvancingSpaceMarinetanks.Flat-sidedvehiclesinvariousredsandblacksrumbledpastthem.Theyhadtheirattentionontheenemy,andanymortalwhoinadvertentlygotinthewaywascrushedflatundertheirgrindingtreads.Theenemyintensifiedtheirscreamingbombardment.Gobbetsofliquidbecameexplosiveconflagrationswhentheyhittheground,saturatingwideareasofthekillingzoneoutsidethevoidshieldwithchemicalfires. The tanks shrugged off these deadly falls, but any human caught by them was immolatedimmediately.Anacidgaswaftedoverthebattlefield,chokingthosewhobreatheditin,growingthickerbythesecond.Theboywasgibberingwithfright,buthewenton,draggingathisfather’sunwillingarm.Uiguipantedwiththeeffortofrunningundersuchweight.Theboyshovedhimbackasafleshyballhungwithtentaclesonitsundersidefellfromtheskyandexplodednearatank,spatteringitwithcorrosiveliquid.Thenatureoftheswarm’snoisebehindthemchanged,becomingdeeper,issuingfromafewthroatsratherthanmany.Uiguiriskedaterrifiedlookback,andsawtheswayingsporechimneysofmonsterscomingthroughthesmoke, gas and flames.Hemoaned in fear.Hismuscles turned towater and he stumbled, but the boydraggedhimon.Thecurtainwallofthesecondlineroseahead,itsfeaturesrenderedindistinctbythewaveringshield.Fiery liquids slapped into the energy field and vanished in painful light. Explosive spore munitionsdetonatedviolently,leavingonlyripplesontheair.Theboywept,butpulledUiguion,somepartofhisdamagedmindrememberingthebraveyouthhehadbeen.Awallofvioletroseup,curvedandseeminglyasdelicateasasoapbubble,andyetitwasproofagainstallviolence.Uiguigrittedhisteeth.Hedidnotenjoypassingthroughthevoidshield.Uiguiandtheboyplungedthrough.Asitsprotectiveenergiesshieldedhisbodygreatpainrippedthroughhissoul,asifhegaveupapartofwhathewasinexchangeforsurvival.Somethinginaplacebeyondtheblackestnighthowledforhisimmortalspirit.Thentheywerethrough,andthedinofbattlewasblunted.Othermortalsburstthroughtheskinofenergyinastragglingline.Thecurtainwallwasbeforethem–ancient,time-pittedrockcretecontrastedwiththedarker greys of freshly constructed parapets. Plasteel cupolas housing heavy bolters and lascannonsprotrudedfromthewall,whileinthecrenellations’embrasuresthehulkingformsofheavilyarmedSpaceMarinescrouched,theirmissilelaunchersandplasmacannonssendingoutatorrentoffireattheenemy.Asmallgatebeckoned.Uiguistaggeredon,theboydragginghimwhenhisownlegswouldnotobeyhim.Safetywasnear,yetthenightwasnotyetdonewithitsterrors.Terrifying howls split the darkness, this time coming from ahead.A deafening screamofmultiple jetenginesblottedoutallothernoise.

SpaceMarines in black came leaping over the parapets, jump packs flaring bright in the dark. Theyshouted incoherentlyas theyfell towards theground.Theirmovementswerefrenzied,seeminglyoutoftheircontrol.TheydroppedallaroundtheboyandUigui.Seeingthemortalsthere,oneraisedanaxecracklingwithangelicpower.‘Deathtothetraitors!DeathtoHorus!’heshouted.There came amighty clash ofmetal onmetal, the boomof angels’weaponsmeeting.A priest of theangels stayed the axewith thewinged head of his own staff, the twoweapons sparking angrily at thecontact.‘Tothefront,theenemyarenothere.Theseareblamelesscivilians,caughtintheperfidyofthetraitors.Letthempass,letthempass!’And then theblack-cladSpaceMarineswere runningon, shouting and roaring, and theChaplainwaswiththematthefore,leavingUiguiandtheboyalone.Theystaggeredontowardsthegate,otherBaaliteswiththem,scatteringwhenaboxytransportpaintedblackwithredcrossesburstthrough,engineroaringasfuriouslyasthewarriorswhoseliveryitshared.Uiguifelldowninterror.Thetracksmissedhimbyinches,sprayingupsandintohisfaceasitspedby,anotherfollowing,thenanother.HelayweepingontheholysandofBaal,asashamedathiscowardiceashewasterrified.Ahandtuggedathislimparm.‘D-d-d-da,it’ssafenow.They,they’veallgone.’Uiguiraisedhisheadslowlyfromthedirt.SpaceMarinesinredwerecomingoutfromthegate,helpingupthefewmortalswhohadmadeitbacktothewall.Oneranathim,andUiguiexpectedtheend,butaceramitegauntletgrabbedhisarm,encirclinghisbicepwithroomtospare,andhauledhimpainfullytohisfeet.Avoxmitterclicked.‘Youaresafe,Baalite,’hesaid.‘Youhavesurvived.’Thesurvivorswereroundedupandherdedwithinthewall,SpaceMarinesmakingawatchfulperimeteraroundthem.Thegateslammedshutbehind.ItwasasifUiguihadsteppedthroughintoanotherworld.Battlebecamearumourofdistantgunfireandbeastlyshrieks.Transportscutacross thewide landingfieldsbetween thefortressand thewall inneatformation.SpaceMarinesraninwell-orderedsquadsfromoneareatoanother.Themortalsdropped,exhausted,nearthegate,ignoredbythewarriorstheyhadnearlydiedfor.Thevoidshieldsparkledhundredsof feetoverhead.Fire raged in thenightskies.BaalPrimuswasawaterycircleontheothersideoftheshield’sshiftingenergies,itsfacetwinklingwiththefiresofwar.Withinthewallitwasmuchcalmer,butUiguicouldneverfeelsafe.TheboytookhishandandleanedintoUigui’sshoulder.Uiguiwastooexhaustedtoobject.

TheDeathCompanycamelikefuriesintothefight,leapingoverthelineoftanksholdingbackthetyranidswithsavageabandon.Theirplasmapistolsspatbrightsunsofdeadlyenergyintothefoe.AsquadhurtledpastOrdamael, raging, shouting at traitors thatwere not present.At the urging of theirChaplain, theysingled out a tyrannofex that had destroyed four tanks, and they fell on itwildly.One boosted himselfdirectly at its face, thunderhammer swinging round as he flew.The blowdestroyed half the creature’sskull,butitdidnotfalluntilanotherDeathCompanySpaceMarineranhowlingatitsside,punchedhispower fist through its chest andwrenched out a lumpen organ. Screaming out his hatred of the traitorLegions,theSpaceMarineclosedhisfist,annihilatingthealienheartinhishand.Thetyrannofexfellforward,dead,butthereweremanymoreenormousassaultbeastsbehindit,andthey

shoulderedtheirbroodmateasideintothemoatandpressedon,symbioticgunsconvulsingandsprayingpotentacidsandbulletgrubsovereverything.TheDeathCompanywerelegion,hundredsstrong.Ordamaelwasequallyupliftedandsaddenedtoseesomany.Givingthemtheirblessinghadbeenanhonour.Thiswasthecurseoftheirbloodunleashedinfull. Somany Death Company SpaceMarines fought around Ordamael that it was as if there were aChapterofthem.Intheirwarringhesawaglimpseofthebloodline’sfuture.Ordamael followed in theirwake.Upon thecausewayofdead tyranids theenemywerebeingpushedbackbythecombinationofheavytankfireandtheDeathCompany’srelentlessassault.Ordamaelthoughttodirectthem,buttherewasnoneed;nowtheywereamongthetyranidstheyfoughtlikedaemons,tearingapartthealienbeasts.The’gaunthordesofearlierhadgivenwaytogreatcrowdsofthewarriorstrain.Given theirnumbers, itwasnosurprisehowwellcoordinated thealienassaultwas.Wavesofheaviercreaturesmarchedforward,shelteringthewarriorbroodswiththeirbulkandthickarmour.Shells,energyboltsandflamingchemicalsshowereddownonthebattlefieldfromallsides.Truly,thiswasavisionofthemythicalinferno.IntothemaelstromstrodeOrdamael.Heignoredthelargerbeasts,savinghiseffortsforthosecreaturesthat could be harmed by his weapons. He dropped tyranid warriors with single shots to the eye andsmashedlimbswithhiscrozius.TheDeathCompanypenetrateddeeplyintothemassesoftyranids.Theyfoughtonwiththemosthorrendousinjuries.Ordamaelsawonestillonhisfeetwiththefrontofhishelmetandallthefleshbeneathmelteddowntothebone,buttheywerenotimmortal.Onebyonetheyfelltothetalons,clawsandpincersofthemonstersattackingthehomeoftheBloodAngels.Ordamaelsorrowedtoseesomanyofhisbloodkindie.ItwasimpossibletotellwhohailedfromwhichChapter.Intheendtheystoodtogether,onebloodindeath.Itwashowitshouldbe,hethought.Alonewarriorstraincameathimfromthenight,boneswordsswingingforhishead.Ordamaelmetthemwithhiscrozius,parryingthemwithminimalmovements.Thewarriorheldabag-likeweaponsymbioteinitslowerlimbstippedwithabonyfunnel.Adeathspitter.Ordamaelfilleditwithaburstofthreebolts,rupturing the ammunition sack and sending writhing grubs in a cascade to the ground. The warriorscreamedasifithadbeenhurtitselfandpresseditsattackwithitstwinnedswords.Yellow,slit-pupilledeyesrolledinthehiltsofeachweapon.Thebladeswerewhiteandpink,likefreshbone.Ineveryway,thecreaturewasrepugnant.Ordamaelput itdownwithablowto theheadthatcrackedits tallcrest intwain.Awide-bandvoxmessageechoedinhishelmet.‘Allwarriorsretreattothecurtainwall.Thethirdlinehasfallen.Prepareforwallassault.Holdthesecondline.’Reluctantly,Ordamaelwithdrew,leavingthebloated,multi-ChapterDeathCompanytoselltheirblood,livesandgene-seedinonelastgloriousactofviolence.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONEDEATHOFTHEFUTURE

Thelictorlaystillasitskinbeastsplummeteddownfromorbit.Itdidnotmoveastheysweptoveritshidingspace.Itwatchedasthehivewasrepulsedfromthethirdline,andwaswatchingstillwhenitfell.Itboresilentwitnesstotheslaughteratthemoat.Asshellsrainedaroundit,itbetrayednomovement.Until,finally,opportunitypresenteditself.Thelictordugitselfoutofitshidingspacesilently.Itkeptlow,huggingtheslipfacesofthedunesaroundtheArx,neveronceexposingitself.Asthepandemoniumofwarragedarounditthechancesofdetectionwereinfinitesimal,butthehivemindtooknochances.Thelictorscuttledthroughfieldsofwreckedtanks.IthidasSpaceMarineskycraftscreamedoverhead.At any chance of detection it froze, reducing its biological activity to the absoluteminimum until thedangerpassed.Therouteittookwaserratic,itsdestinationconcealedbywidedetoursandbacktracking.Itlookedasifitwerehuntingforsomething.Inreality,itknewexactlywhereitwasgoing.Behindthewallof tyranidsmovinguptoattackthesecondline itwasstrangelyquiet.Awayfromthefortress eater beastswere landing and the tools of digestion being deployed, but Baalwasminimallygiftedwithlife,andthedensityofthedigestionswarmwaslow.Thebattleswarm’snoiseshushedandroared,itshissing,clackingvoicepunctuatedbytherepetitivebangingoftheprey’sweaponry.Someoftheirdeviceswere impressivelydestructive,muchmoreso than theweapon-creaturesemployedby theswarm. But the efficacy of individual gunswas irrelevant; the hivemind had a billion for every oneemployedbytheprey.Itsweaponswerenotdependentonchainsofsupplyormineralsminedonfarawayworlds. They required no specialistworker caste to create. Everything the hivemind needed, it grewwithinitself,andthepreyalwaysranoutofbulletsbeforethehivemindranoutofbodies.Still,certainpreyrequiredcare,hencethelictor’smission.Thehivemind’scell-bodieswerenumerousbutnotinfinite.Therewasanoptimalratioofdestroyedbeaststobiomassharvested.Exceedit,andtheconsumptionof aworldwould result in anet loss.Warrior creaturesweredispensable, but the largershipsandcomplicatedbeastscosttimeandorganicmattertoreplace.Iftherewasawaytoshortenawarthehivemindwouldfindit.

Thelictorreacheditsdestination.SophisticatedorganicsensesequaltoanymachinetheImperiumcouldemployprobedtheground,ensuringthiswasthecorrectspot.For days the lictor had been gathering intelligence on the surroundings of the Arx Angelicum. Itsspecialisedbrainactedasanode,gathering together sensorydata fromamillionothercreatures.Theyhadnoawarenessofwhattheywereseeing.Theyhadnoneedforthedatatheyunwittinglycollected.Thatwasthelictor’srole.Underthesandswasananomaly.Once,atunnelhadledoutoftheArxAngelicumtoafueltank.Thetankhadbeenremovedmillenniaago.Thetunnelhadbeencollapsedandforgotten.Thehivemind,workingthroughthelictor,knewnoneofthis,andwouldnothavecomprehendedtheinformationifithad.Itsawaweakness;itneededtoknownomore.Thelictor’shyper-enlargedbrainpulsedmagneticwavesthroughthesand,pickingoutchunksofcrushedrockcreteand theoutlineof the tunnel’s route towards theArxAngelicum’swalls.Thefortresswassoclose.Itsmultipleeyescouldenlargethestructuresomuchatthiscloserangeitcouldseeeveryfinialandcarving. If it turned its attention to the seething,boneandpurple seaof thewar swarm, theyappearedcloseenoughtotouch.Naturally,theseweremorehumanconceptsthatwerealientothehivemind.Thelictordidnotregarditselfapartfromitsbrethren.Itdidnotregarditselfatall.Ablurredmapoftheundergroundshimmeredinitsmagneticsight.Itplungeditsheadintotheground,thetentacles that made up its mouth writhing through the sand, and it tasted trace amounts of complexhydrocarbons and minerals that were not native to this prey-world. Longer range sonar soundingsdisplayedthepathofthetunnelnearlyallthewaytothewall.Thesandwasreefedwithbrokenartificialstone.Thepoint in themountainwhere the tunnel hadpenetratedwas smooth, cappedwithmore falserockandrefinedmetallicminerals.Itwasstrong,butnotasstrongasthenatural,glassystoneofthedeadvolcano.Thelictorrosesuddenly.Itemittedashortburstofaromaticchemicalsandaweakpsychicpulse.Bothwerebeneaththeprey’snotice,butitsfellowcreaturesheard.Likewhitebloodcellsareattractedtositesof infection,sooncreatures joinedthelictor.Theyneedednodirection.Apairofsuitablebeastsswamthroughthesandandbeganexcavatinganewtunnelalongsidethepathoftheold.TheywereknowntotheImperiumastrygons,somethingelsethehiveminddidnotcaretoknow.Ithadnonamesforitsconstituentparts.Thewolfcaresnothingforthethoughtsofsheep.Theyworkedquickly,shovingthesandasidewiththeir clawsandcompacting it.Therewouldbeno spoilheaps togive themaway.Resinous secretionsfrom their longbodies sealed the sand into a formoforganic concrete.Soonothers came.The swarmselected the best organisms for the task. Infiltration creatures with high combat capability wereautomatically deployed. Dozens of genestealers came in ones or twos, moving stealthily so that thegatheringgroupwouldnotbenoticed.Anothersafeguard.Theywouldnotbeseenanyway,theeyesoftheSpaceMarineswereupontheseaofmonstersattackingthesecondwall.Twentyminuteswent by, ameaninglessmeasurement of ameaningless span to the eternal hivemind.Sand suddenly hissed away into a rapidly widening hole, and the lictor plunged in. The genestealersfollowed.Theyranalongapitch-blacktunnel,needingnolight tosee.Theypassedunderthemoat, thefallenthirdline,andthecurtainwallwithoutdetection,theirmovementsmaskedbygunfire.Atthefarendthetwotrygonsattackedtheplugsealwithacidicspittleandteethwithmonomolecularedges.Thegroundrumbledaroundthemtothesteadyheartbeattremorsofartilleryfire.Nosandfellfromtheresin-bondedroof.Acidate throughmetaleasily.When thathad dribbledaway tonoxious fluid thepreycreatures’ falserockdissolvedjustasfast,revealingathickrustlessplasteelpipepiercingthefootoftheArxMurus.Thewallwasofdiamond-hardvolcanicglassrock.Eatingthroughthatwouldhavetakendays.Timeequalled

detection.Thesimplepluginthepipe’sjackettookonlyhours.Aholeopened.The trygonsrapidlygnawedat theedges towiden it.Toxicvapourssteamedfromthematerialasitdissolved,shorteningthecreatures’livesbyyears.Anotherconsiderationmeaninglesstothehivemind.Silently,thetrygonspushedasidetherottingmaterial.Itscatteredintodamp,steamingsands.Thepipewithinthefortressremained.Thelictorpaused,multiplesensesreachingoutintothedepthsofthefortressmonastery.Theairwasstale.Themachinestheredead.Nothinghadmoveddownthereforgenerations.As one, the infiltration splinter poured into theArxAngelicum.They ran soundlessly down the pipe,reachingajunction.Afurthersealbarredtheway.Bio-acidreducedittometal-richliquidinmoments.Acidvapoursdispersedonfeeblecurrents.Thelictortastedtheair.Itsolfactorysensewassensitivetochemical components at one or two parts per million. The amount of data it processed would haveconfoundedanadvancedcogitationunit.Thousandsofcompounds,borneonmultipleairvortices fromlocationsithadneverseen,wereprocessedinfractionsofasecond.Itfoundwhatitwaslookingfor.Thereweretwotargets.Ittastedthembothquickly:adiversion,andtheobjective.Thediversionwoulddrivethepreyintoarage,andconcealthesecond.Preyalwaysfoughthardesttoprotectitsyoung.

Dantefoughtonthewall.Thekillzonewasafieldofburningwrecks.Dozensofpricelesswarmachineslaybrokeninthedesert.Dante had a chilling flash of prescience, seeing their unrusting hulks beneath an airless sky, the ArxAngelicuminruinsbehindthem.Not yet. The Chapters of the Blood still lived. The consumption phase was hearteningly late inbeginning.Thewallstillheld.Thevoidshieldsstood.Betweenthevehiclewrecksthesandwascarpetedinshatteredwhiteandpurplechitin.Desertthathadnotfeltthekissofmoistureforabillionyearswassoakedinalienfluids.Assaultafterassaultwasthrownbackfromtherestoredcurtainwall.Gunsroaredandboomedalldayandnight.Theskywasaconstantpyrotechnicaldisplayofflakandlaslight.If theystoodalone,Dantewouldhavebeenmorecarefulwithhisammunition,buttheBloodAngelssuccessorshadbroughtmillionsoftonnesofammunitionwiththem,andsoheallowedthecannonsofhisfortresstofireandfire.Inthedark theirmuzzles glowedwith heat. The desert shookwith explosive impacts and the constant, quiettremble of the Arx Angelicum’s reactors working at maximum capacity to supply energy to lasemplacements,plasmaturretsandshielding.Any other army would have withdrawn from the siege. The Arx Angelicum would have beenimpregnabletoanyotherfoe,itstenthousanddefenderstoogreattoovercome.Thetyranidscarednothingfordeath.They threw their livingbombsat the fortressmonastery,notcaringornotunderstanding thattheywouldneverhittheirtarget.Thevoidshieldsgroanedandsnapped.Theflickerofdisplacementwasa noisy aurora around the Space Marines position. Floating spore mines were slow enough to passthrough, but as they were drawn to the noise of war, they were targeted and blasted apart by Icaruslascannonsandquadautocannonanti-airdefences.Anearconstantrainofacidfellfromthesecloudsoflivingbombs,toodiffusetodoanythingbutscorchthecoloursfromthebattleplateoftheSpaceMarines.Theaerialswarmtoomightflythroughatthecorrectspeed,buttheirbeastshadwithdrawninthefaceofheavycasualties,leavingtheskytotheracketofexplodingflakroundsandthecrashofphosphorescentchemicalssplashingtonothingagainsttheaegis.Alongthecurtainwallemplacedheavybolterschugged,panningbackandforthmonotonously,sweeping

awaygenestealers,’gauntsandwarriors.Thewetcrackofsplinteringchitinandaliendeathscreamswerea hellish symphony that playedwithout pause.Therewere enoughSpaceMarines toman the parapetsshoulder to shoulder. Boltguns fired from every embrasure, destroying the lesser bioforms by thethousand.Itwasatacticofthehivemindtopileupitsdeadtorenderanydefensivelineunusable,asithadatthemoat,butthetyranidscouldnotgetcloseenoughtothewall.Anembankmentofheapedcorpsesprovidedalittlesheltertotheadvancingswarm;thereyetremainedaclearkillingfieldbetweenitandDante’swall. It crept forwardsa few feet everyday, as corpses rolled from the top. In strict rotation,sectionsofthewallwereclearedbyconcentratedmeltafire,plasmaincinerationandpromethiumbombs,to stop the heap of dead becoming a ramp. In doing so, the Space Marines created a thick, blacksmokescreeninfrontofthesectionsunderclearance,obscuringtheviewandencouragingattack.Sotheseminoradvantagesweretradedbackandforthbetweenthetwosides.Nonegainedadecisiveedge.Thefortresswasinviolable,thetyranidspracticallyinfinite.A biotitan shrieked as it was blasted to pieces by a defence laser. There were fewer of the largeconstructscoming.Dante’sarmywaskillingthemfasterthantheycouldbebred.Slowly,theswarmwasbeingworndown.Stalematewasnotavictory,butitwasbetterthanthealternative.EverydaytheArxAngelicumheld,thechancesof triumph increased.Garbled reports burst through the tyranids’ vox jamming every sooften,reportingsuccessfulhitandrunraidsonthehivefleet.Thesecouldsometimesbeseenindaytimethroughthewateryshimmerofthevoidshieldandthefloweringofflak.Atnight,thesebattleslituptheheavens.Defencelasersaidedinthinningtheorbitalswarm.Mostofthesepowerfulweaponscouldonlybefiredafewtimesaday,butwhentheydidtheyinvariablyclaimedakillapiece;eachmeteorshowerofburningalienmeatstreakingacrossBaal’sskybroughtanothercheerfromthewall’sdefenders.Backand forth.Forevery ten tyranid shipsdestroyed, another strikecruiserwas lost.Reactordeathsmadebrilliantsuns.MessagesfromBaalPrimusandBaalSecunduswerejustaslikelytotellofdefeatorChaptersdecimatedastheyweretoreportpositionsheld.Everythingdependedonthevoidshield.Holdthat,andtheswarmwouldbeblunted,broken,andfinallyturnedaside.Untilthenthehivemindwouldthrowitsendlessarmiesatthecurtainwall,employingvariantstrategieseachtime.The enemy’s latest gambit approached. Hundreds of hulking carnifexes bulled their way through thehordes, tramplingtheirsmallerkin.Theyweregiantassaultbeasts, theirshort limbsthickwithmuscle,domedbacksprotectedbyinchesofchitinousarmour,powerfulweaponsymbiotesbondedtotheirflesh.Therewerebiggertyranidconstructs,butnonewereasnumerousnorsoversatileasthecarnifexes.Heavy weapons fire burned the air over the curtain wall from the fortress, striking at the hulkingmonstersandlayingthemlowbythedozen.Thereweretoomanytostop.Severalbroodswereprotectedbyfloatingpsychicabominationswhichprojectedfieldsofwarpenergy,proofagainstallbuttheheaviestguns.Othersmarchedunderthecoveroftoxicfogswhoseswirlingsporesfoiledtargetlocksaseasilyastheychokedhumanlungs.Dantewatchedfromalowdrumtowerthatshookwiththerecoilofitsturretedmacrocannon.FiveofhisSanguinaryGuard ledbyBrotherDontoriel, heroofCryptus,were arrayedaroundhim in aprotectivecircle.Thecarnifexesweregettingclosetothebermofthedead,disruptingattemptstohitthem.Fountainsoflimbsandxenosfleshpattereddownwhereshellstoreintothebank.‘Inafewmoremomentstheywillcomeundertheshadowofthewalls,’saidDante.‘Thenwewillseehowwellthefoewilltestus.’

Theencirclingcarnifexesploughed through the embankmentof thedead, causing it to tumble forwardcloser to thewalls.Someof themweredoingsodeliberately, shovingcorpsesaheadof them,bankingthemupatthefootofthewall.Closerexaminationshowedtheyhadadaptationsspecificallyforthisrole,withmassiveflattenedclawsthatlockedtogetherlikedozerblades.DantecheckedvisualfeedfromaugureyesandthehelmetsofhisfellowChapterMasters.Thesamewasoccurringinseveralplaces.‘Prioritisecarnifexformspushingforwardthedead,’heordered,switchingtobattleforce-widevox.TheArxAngelicumamplifiedhissignal through itspowerfulcommunicationscentre,butevenso thereturnfeedwasfullofthechillingvoiceofthehivemind.Thelastof theweaponsfirefromthefortressmonasterycutout.Thecarnifexeswere tooclose to thecurtainwall.TheArx’sgunsredirectedtheirpunishingbombardmenttoasecondwavecomingbehindthefirst,leavingtheleadingcarnifexestotheheavyweaponsmountedonthesecondline,sotheattackwasunderfirefromthecurtainwallalone.Dantescannedquicklythroughthumbnailviewsfromaroundthewall.Hehaltedatone.Sixcarnifexeswereabsorbinganobsceneamountoffire,heapingthedeadatthefootof thewallasstolidlyasserfsdigging in therain. ‘ChapterMasterOrix,youhaveabreakthroughimminentinyoursector.Pleasedealwithit,’hesaid.In another place the enemy had sent a spearhead of giant serpentine forms to race at the wall andscrabbleupitwithvestigialclaws.Onenearlymadeitbeforeaplasmacannonshottookoffitsheadandsetitalight.‘CaptainTherus,attendtothosetrygons,’Dantecommanded,hisvoiceasalwaysclearandsteely.Minorbreakthroughscouldbecontained.Itwascrucialtherewerenomajorbreachesofthewall.Stilltherainofsporesfell.Stillthehissingseaoflesserformsleaptandsnapped,thosefewwhomadethewall’sbasescramblingpartwayup thesmooth rockcretebeforeslippingback.Otherswaitedwithmindless patience for the ramps to be finished, relatively unmolested by gunfire while the defendersconcentrated on the siege beasts. Should the carnifexes build their macabre ramps, there would bethousands of tyranids within the second perimeter in moments. Dante’s hand tightened on the AxeMortalis.TherewasnotmuchhecoulddobuttrustintheskillanddevotionoftheChaptersoftheBlood.Adesperatevoxcallcutintotheinter-Chaptertraffic.‘Thewall!Thewall!Carnifexbroodcomingoverthewall!’Dante’s attention snapped to a place half amile from his bastion. Fourmonsters there eschewed theheaping of corpses, and were attempting an escalade. Theymade their own ladders as they climbed,smashingoutholds in therockcretewith theirgiantclaws.Fleshhookswhippedoutfromchestcavitiesandscrabbledforextratraction,haulingthemfurtherupthewalltowardsthewarriorsatthetop.Dantewas close, and first to respond.He leapt from thebastion and jettedhigh, hisguard followinginstantly.Hisjumppackfuelindicatorfellquickly.Baal’sgravitywasstrong.Sustainedflightcouldthereforeonlybebrief,andsoheleanedforward,willinghimselftoreachthecrisispointbeforeitwastoolate.HeroaredoverhundredsofSpaceMarinesfiringfromthewall.Bladesoflightstabbedout,aweftoflas-beams that died and replenished itself over andover again.A carnifex implodedbelow, pepperedwithsomanykrakbombsitcollapsedintoitselfinashowerofgore.Thesmallexplosionsofboltshellswere so numerous that it seemed the war was conducted to the layered playing of a million insanedrummers.WashesofflamesointenseDantefelttheheatthroughhisarmourdrovebackhordesof’gauntsfromanearlycompletedcorpseramp.Dozensshrivelledintheheat.Thickpromethiumgelsadheredtothelargermonsters,coatingthemheadtofootwithflame,butthecarnifexescontinuedworking,immunetopain,evenastheireyescookedintheirsockets.

A flight of gargoyles screamed atDante and his guard, only to be blasted apart by quad cannon firebeforetheygotwithinahundredyards.Hisfuelindicatorsdippedtowardsamber,hurryingfortheredofexhaustion,andthenhewasthere.Dante cut out his jets at the apex of his leap, allowing himself to fall fast towards the monstersclambering over the wall. He selected one and corrected his drop with a microsecond jet burst.Carnifexeswerethebrutesquadsofthehive,builttotakelargeamountsofpunishmentthenretaliateinkind. A power axe such asDante borewould harm one, but not enough to ensure the survival of theattacker.Dantehadfifteenhundredyears’experienceinwarfare.Therewaslittlenewhecouldlearnofanymartial artistry.He had fought hundreds of things as big as carnifexes before, and slain dozens ofcarnifexesbesides.Hefelllikeameteorontothecreature’sswollenhead.Withtheweightoftranshumanandbattlearmourmultipliedgenerouslybygravity,CommanderDanteusedtheimpetusofhisfalltosplitthething’scraniumwiththeAxeMortalis.Purplebrainmattersplatteredhisarmourashedroppedpast.Dante followed his blow, falling away over the carnifex’s shoulders and spore chimneys towards theseething tide of attack beasts hammering at the foot of the wall. He adjusted his weight a touch,somersaulting through the creature’s broodmates, dodging a swiping talon, moving over whip-liketentacles that flickeredout athim.The lesser creatures firedupwards.Theirweaponsgrubs splattereduponhisarmour,theiracidicinnardssteamingastheydissolvedonhisgoldenplate.Closetothepackedmass,heignitedhisjumppack’sjetsagain,incineratinghormagauntsleapinguptospearhimwiththeirscythe-liketalons,thenflewbacktotheparapet.Hishonourguardthumpeddownaroundhim,oneaftertheother.TheBloodSwordswerestationedonthatpartof thedefences, theirarmourdarker red than theBloodAngels.Theyfoughtall theharder forseeingtheLordofBaalamongthem.Anotheroftheclimbingcarnifexesboremultiplesmokingpowerbladewoundsalloveritsbody.Dante’sguardhadtargeteditsjoints,andoneclawdangledfromaredskeinofsinew.AsDantelookedpastit,hesworeloudly.Thecarnifexhehaddecapitatedwasstillclimbing,comingupbehindtheonewoundedbyhisguard.With theprimarybrainstemdestroyed, itsweaponsymbiote tookon the taskofdirecting thecreature’smassivebody.Puppetedbyitsgun,thecarnifexclamberedonupwardsjerkily.Itsruinedheadpumpedyellowalienblooddownthewall.The tongue,stillattachedby theroot to theshatteredskull,flappedaboutlikeawetflag.Noneofthisdiscomfitedit.‘BytheBlood!Isitnotpossibletokillthesethings?’sworeDontoriel.‘Wellyouknowthat,brother,’saidDante.Dontoriel jerked his head at his gold-clad comrades. They rose again and dived at the one-clawedcarnifex.Theyflittedaboutitinwhooshingjetbursts,everymanoeuvretimedformaximumfuelefficiencyand ending in a strike. Jump packs were inelegant devices, not intended for true flight. Bulky, noisy,hungry; compared to the finer constructs of some races theywere clangorous toys, but in the hands ofBlood Angels, Imperial jump packs transcended their limitations. It was possible to forget what theywere,andseeintheskilloftheSpaceMarinesthegracefulflightoftrueangels.Afatalblowslashedout,cuttingaway thecarnifex’s secondclawcompletely.Foramoment itheld itsplace, thenoverbalancedandfellroaringintothemillingseaof’gauntsatthebottomofthewall.Dante remained where he was, eyes fixed on his own target. The headless carnifex’s huge clawscontinued to punchholds into the rockcrete to a steady rhythm, hauling itself up another few feetwitheverywall-shakingimpact.Itcrawleddirectlyoveraheavybolteremplacement.Thespacebetweenitsbellyandthegunlitupwithahundredexplosionsasthebolterfiredatpoint-blankrange,butthecarnifexpulledpastit,leakingfluidfromfreshwounds,anddraggingthebolteranditsmachine-spiritfreeofthemountingasitclimbed.Danteaimedtheperditionpistolandwaitedforthecarnifextoliftitsclawagain.

For amoment in each second, theweapon symbiotewas exposed.Bred in the shape of a long, flutedcannon, the thing looked like an artefact, but it was independently alive, and intelligent. Half-formedlimbscurledaroundthebaseofitsbarrel-snout.Thelastvestigesofanalimentarytractcouldbepickedouttowardstherear.Mosttellinglyofallalargeyelloweyestaredoutmalignantlyfromthestockwherethecarnifex’slowerlimbmeldedwiththegun’smechanisms,iftheycouldbecalledsuch.Danteadjustedhisaim.Theclawslammedintotherockcreteagain,obscuringthesecondarybeast.Theotherclawsmashedintothewall,andtheheadlessmonsterroseupwardsthreefeet.‘Itisnearlyatthetop!’yelledaBloodSwordssergeant.Theclawraised,exposingtheweaponforafractionofasecondagain.Dante’saimwasgood.Theairshimmeredashefired.Wherethefusionbeamconnectedwiththegun’sfleshtherewasaterrificroarasallmoistureinthesub-beastwasinstantlyevaporated.Theresultingexplosionblastedittopieces.Thecarnifexcontinuedtoclimbforonemoreclawstrokebeforeflailinglimplyandfallingfromthewall.Thebeasthadcomewithinfeetoftheedge,andtwomorescreechingmonsterswerestillclimbing.AdevastatorsquadinBloodDrinkersliverydeployedandopenedfirewiththeirlascannons,aseconddevastator unit from theBloodSwords close behind.Four rubybeamsof light blewholes in the leadcarnifex’s armour, expertly targeting the beast’s primary organs. Trailing fire, it fell into the horde,crushingdozensof lesser beasts.The thirdof thebroodpaused, opened itsmouthwide and started toscream.Starkwhitelightshoneinitsthroat.‘Bioplasma!’shoutedtheBloodSwordssergeant.Dozensofboltgunsbanged,smashingintothemonster.Theyexplodedharmlesslyonitschitinousarmour,onlyafewtearingchunksoutofthemorevulnerableintercostalspaces.Fist-sizedcratersappearedalloverit.Oneeyeburst.Severalroundsflewdownitsthroat,butwerethereconsumedbythebeast’sgatheringincandescentfire.A further lascannonvolley denied the beast the chance to spit.The light died.The carnifex slumped,dead,hangingfromthewallbyitsclaws.Dante took stock. All along the wall similar tales were being told. Carnifexes tumbled from thefortifications,riddledwithsmokingholes.Newlybuiltcorpserampsburnedundersustainedplasmaandmelta fire.Hecalleduphis strategicoverview.Thewall remaineda solidgreen line.Threebreachesglintedred,butquickvoxreportsandglimpsesthroughtheeye-lensesofothersinformedhimthatthesewereplaceswherecarnifexeshadclamberedover.Thewallitselfremainedwhole.‘Such a fruitless expenditure of assets,’ said Dante. ‘If they continue to pursue their objectives sothoughtlessly,wewillcrushthem.’‘Aye,mylord,’saidDontoriel,lookingoutoverthesurginghorde.‘Buttheyhaveplentytospare.Thesecondwaveapproaches.’‘Wemustmakesuretheydonotpilethecorpsesup,Dontoriel.Afewcarnifexesintheperimeterwillbesimpletodealwith,butifwehavetoengageahostof’gauntswewilllosecontrolofthesituationandbeforced to fallback. I amgoing to sendyou to–’Dantewascut shortbyaneeriewailing from theArxAngelicum.Anangel’scrythatcutDante’ssoul.Therewasonlyonelocationthatwouldgeneratesuchanalarm.CaptainRaxietal’svoicecrackledoverthevox.‘Mylord,wehavexenosinsidethefortress.TherearegenestealerswithintheHallofSarcophagi.’Dante activated hiswidecast vox. ‘ChapterMaster Ercon of the Blood Swords has command of thesecond lineuntil further notice.’Andhe activatedhis jets again, blastingover thegroundbetween thesecondlineandtheArxAngelicum.HisSanguinaryGuardfollowed.‘How did they get in?’ he demanded over the vox. ‘If there is an unguarded breach, there could be

thousandsoftheminside.’‘Unknown,mylord.Ihaveanaugurteamscanningthelowerlevelstoseeiftheycanlockitdown.Wehavetracedthegeneralareatosectionnine-Phi.IhavesentseveralsquadsandourbloodthrallsintotheCantabrianMesozonetoheadoffanyfurtherattack.’CaptainRaxietalwasrunningfastenoughtomake a SpaceMarine pant. The impact of his boots boomed off stone. ‘I am heading to theHall ofSarcophaginowmyself.’‘Doubletheguardonthevoidgeneratorumandreactorhalls,’saidDante.‘SergeantFrenseisalreadythere.Ihavethreemoresquadsenroute.Noreportsofhostileselsewhereasyet.’‘Good,’saidDante.‘Beware.Thiscouldbeadiversion.Keepmeinformedofeverything.‘Mylord.’CaptainRaxietal’svoicecutout.Dante swore – ancient, powerful Secundan oaths. The breachwould not be large, otherwise theArxAngelicumwouldbeunderfullscaleassault.Thatwastheonereassuringfactofthisdebacle.Ifitwereadiversion,targetingtheHallofSarcophagiwasastrokeoftacticalgenius.Withinitsblood-filledcaskets,neophytes underwent the year-long ritual of the Insanguination. Such a brazen assault on theChapter’sfuturewouldsendhismenintoafury,andthatwoulddulltheirthinking.Hehopedthealienmindoftheswarmwasmerelybeingvindictive,orwashell-bentonwipingouttheChapter.Butthosewerethelowplans of animals, and Dante thought the hive mind to be of a far higher degree than that. He lookedupwardsasheflew.Asyet,thevoidshieldstillrippledoverthefortressmonastery.HewasthankfulforCaptainRaxietal’slevel-headedness.TheblackmajestyoftheArxMurustoweredahead,flashingwiththereportsofgiantweapons.HewasclosesttotheMaxilliaryGate,wherethewallsprojectedoutoveragatehouselikeaclosingmouth.AlarmsbleepedurgentlyinDante’sears.Hisgazeflickedtothetopcornerofhisfaceplatedisplay.Hisfuelindicatorwasrunningrapidlytozero.Hissuit’smachine-spiritinformedhimwhenhisfuelreachedadangerouslevel,allowinghimtimetolandsafely.Heignoredit,burningthelastsecondsofhissupplytosendhimselfforwardandupward.‘Getmeatransport.Somethingfast.Myjetsthirst,andcancarrymenomore.’Stutteringfire, thejetsblewout.MomentumcarriedDanteforwardahundredyards,butBaal’srobustgravitycaughtupwithhim,andhewasdraggeddownonasteepcurve.He hit the sand hard. He couldn’t roll because of the bulk of his jump pack, and came down in astaggeringrunthatendedinafall.Histeethjarredinhisheadashisfoothittherockcrete.Internalshockabsorbers tookdeathoutof the impact,butsomethinggaveinhis legandeveryforwardstepbroughtasharppaininhiskneeuntilhisarmour’spharmacopoeiadetectedthehurtanddulledit,thoughthebonegroundasheran.Heopenedtheadrenalvalvesonhishelm,elevatinghisheartratetodangerouslevels.TherewasonlysomuchaSpaceMarine’senhancedphysiologycouldtake,buthecouldnotaffordtobecautious.Dante’sjumppackwasofancientandpowerfulmake.Hehadoutpacedhisbodyguard.Theycaughtupwithhimasheran,landingaroundhiminperfectformation.‘Getbackup!’hecommanded.‘Getinside!Headforthevoidgeneratorum.’‘Mylord.’Dontorielledhisfellowsoff,steppingupintotheairasifitweresolidground.TheMaxilliaryGateopened.Fivecombatbikesspedoutontothelandingfields.Plumesofsandsprayedfromtheirrearwheels.Nowtheworkofwarhadbeguntheclearingwasneglected,andthedesertwasswallowingthefieldsagain.Thebikesroaredupandskiddedtoahalt.Thebikersergeantleaptoffhissteedandkneltathislord’sfeet.

‘Takemymachine,mylord,goquickly,’hesaid.Dante leaptonto thebikewithout aword, the encumbranceof the jumppacknothing to sograceful awarrior.Wheelsspinning,hewrestledtheheavymachinearoundinacircleandheadedbacktowardstheArxAngelicumatspeed.Thegateswereleftopenforhim.Hedidnotdismount,butspedon,thunderingthroughhisfortress.The-labyrinthineways and halls of theArxAngelicumwhipped by as he headed down. The bike left tyremarksonpristinestairs,andshatteredthequietofsacredhallswithbellicoseenginenoise.TheHallofSarcophagiwasdeepbeneath the surface, far from the light.Dante slewedhisborrowedcombatbikearoundtightcorners,burstingthroughthehall’smodestgatesintothelong,lowexpanseofthechamber.Rectangular in shape and lined down both long edges by caskets of ivory and plasteel, the Hall ofSarcophagiwasaplaceofpeace.There,withinitssacredprecincts,diseased,malnourishedboyswereremadeintoangelsforthegreatergloryoftheImperium,andwearywarriorsmightrestawhilefromthetoilofbattle.Ordinarilythesilencewasinterruptedonlybythequiethumofmachinesandthewhisperofrobesacrossthepolishedfloor.Itspeacewasinruins.SpaceMarinesfoughtdesperateclose-quarterbattleswithgenestealers.Therewaspreciouslittlecoverinthehallforthealienstoutilise,butthegenestealerswereeverywhere,andtheSpaceMarineshesitatedtouse thefulldestructivepotentialof theirweaponsforfearofhitting thenextgenerationofneophytesdreamingtheirwaythroughapotheosis.Theyreliedonsingleshots,aimingcarefullysoasnottokilltheirownkin,andthatallowedthegenestealerstousetheirsuperiorspeed.TheyscuttledattheBloodAngels,leapingatthemwiththeirclawsoutstretched,tearingthemapartinaflurryofrakingstrikes.WiththewarriorsoftheEighthCompanyathisside,Danteroaredintothehall,theboltgunsmountedonthefairingofhiscombatbikebarking,theAxeMortaliscracklingwithwrathfulpower.Hehadnotriddenoneofthemachinesforcenturies,buthisskillwasasaccomplishedaswhenhehadbeenayoungAssaultMarine.Hejinkedpastasnarling,purple-facedabomination,smiting itashespedby.Theforceofhischargeandtheenergyfieldofhisaxereducedthealientoashowerofstringymeatandbrokencarapace.Asecondrearedinfrontofhim.Danteranitdown.Itsrangybodycrackedloudlyunderthewheels.Athirdjumpedontothebike,grabbingatthehandlebars.Afourthmadeagiantleap,foldingitsarmsaboutDante’sjumppackfrombehind.Thebikewobbledashefendedofftheirclaws.Hegrabbedthethingonthe fairingandheaved it off in frontofhisbike,where itwas smashed topiecesby theweightof themachine. Broken alien chitin ground in the space between wheel and bodywork. The fourth’s jawssnappedatthesideofhismask,super-hardteethsquealingontheceramite.ThebackwheelofDante’smountslidoutfromunderhimashewrestledwiththebeast.Hemanagedtotraptheclawsscrapingcurlsofmetal fromhisplastroneagleunderonearm,anddrovebackwith theheadof theAxeMortalis. Itsdisruptionfieldsnappedandcrackled.Theaxe’sedgescoredamarkinhispauldronashebludgeonedthegenestealer’s face with the axe’s flat top. Atoms fizzled, broken energy bonds arcing out as stabbinglightning. The genestealer’s head exploded and it fell away, but too late. Dante’s bike tipped over,ploughingupshardsofbrokenstonefromthefloor.Hisarmourfountainedsparksasthebikeslidoutofcontrolacrossthehall.Itslammedintothewall,crushingagenestealer’slegsandpinningitinplace,andyetstillitsnappedandhissedathim.Dantesnatchedouttheperditionpistolandblastedtwomorealiensrunningathim.SeveraloftheinfiltratorssensedhisvulnerabilityandwereturningfromtheotherSpaceMarines.One of the other bikeswas down, but four remained, and they passed through the crowd ofgenestealersincloseformation,boltgunsblazing,buyingDanteafewpreciousmoments.Shouting wrathfully, Dante flipped the bike upright, freeing himself and crushing the trapped

genestealer’s chest. Finally, it died, its last breath a hateful rattle, yellowish blood oozing betweensilicateteeth.Howling,Dantespunaroundtofacethecreaturesmovingonhim.Redstainedhissoulandhisvision.Sanguinius’curseroseinhim.Dozensofthesarcophagiwereruined,theneophytesinsidetorntopiecesintheirsleep.Danteexperiencedafather’sinsanefuryatthesight.Angerthreatenedtooverwhelmhim.Benotrage,lestragebecomeallyouare.ThewordsoftheBloodyCatechismranginhismind.Letthefourthvirtueguideandsaveyou,untilallislostandrestraintbeabandoned.Thisiswhattheywant,hetoldhimself.Thisiswhytheyarehere.Snarlinglikeabeast,hefoughtbacktheurgetoslaythesemonstersatthecostofeverythingelse.Ifhelosthimself,hewouldlosethebattle.Still,theymustdie.Itwasnotaquestionofhowtheydied,orhowhekilledthem,fortheywoulddie.Itwasaquestionofwherehismindwaswhenhewasdone.Heswunghisaxeincracklingarcs.Agenestealer’sexoskeletalarmourwastough,butnomatchforapowered blade. Their arms came free at the passing of the edge. Their heads separated from necksdeferentially,asiftheyinconveniencedtheaxe’smachine-spiritandwouldmakeamends.Bloodandfleshsprayedingoryrain.Dante’sarmourwaspaintedblackandyellowbyvilexenosfluids.Itwasfortunatethetyranidichorwasrepellent,orhewouldhavestruggledtocontaintheRedThirst.SpaceMarineswerefallingallaroundthefarendofthehall,theirceramiterippedopenbyalienclaws.Dante despaired to see somany red-armouredbodies lyingon theground, and still hiswarriorsweredying.Abikeroaredpasthim,engineafire,andexplodedagainstthefarsideofthechamber,smashingthreesarcophagitopieces.Dantefoundhimselfsurroundedbyadozenpurpleandwhitehorrors;thenoiseofbolterfirewasgivingout.Hismenwerebeingslaughtered.Soitcomestothis,thoughtDante.Heset the terrorfieldprojectorbuilt into thedeathmask’shalo tomaximum.Thearcanepsychictechnologieswhinedhard,andapressuregrewinhishead.Hebellowedouthisanger,andtheprojectoramplifiedit.Ahumanfoewouldhavefallenhelplesswithfear.ButDantewasscreaminghisdefianceatamindfargreaterthanhis,andthegenestealersdidnomorethanflinch.ItwasaslenderadvantagethatDanteused.Hethrewhimselfforward.Themassofhisarmourandjumppackknockedtwooftheenemyflying,andhelaidintotherestbeforetheyrecovered.Ifyouaretodie,diewell,hesaidtohimself.Moreandmorewerecomingforhim.Hehadlostcountofhowmanyhehadkilled.Theypressedin.Hecutthemdownwithhisaxe,heturnedthemtosteamwiththeperditionpistol,butthereweretoomany,andtheycrushedhisarmsagainsthisside.‘MylordDante,’boomedapowerfulvoice,amplifiedtoear-splittinglevels.‘Getdown.’With a last effort, Dante lunged forward, dragging genestealers to the floorwith him.He fell into aflailingmassofarmsandclaws.Thedeafeningracketofanassaultcannonclearedaspaceabovehim.Monstrousaliensflewbackwards,riddledwithholesorburstapartcompletely.Dantewrestledwiththecreaturebeneathhim.Helethisaxeandpistolfall,andchokedthelifefromitwithhisgoldenhands.Hedidnotletgountilhefeltthecreature’sspinegiveunderitschitinousexoskeleton.Thewhiningofanautocannonbarrelpoweringdownfelltosuddensilence.Dantestood.The Hall of Sarcophagi was destroyed. Fires burned in broken machines. There were but a fewsarcophagileftintact;mosthadbeenrippedopen,therestwere shatteredbyweaponsfire.Dantefeltadeep,sickeningrage.SpaceMarineslaydeadallthroughthehall.MostwereofRaxietal’sreservecompany.AmongthedeadlayRaxietalhimself, his left armandhead torn fromhisbody, thepiecesofhis corpse surroundedby

xenosdead.ThreeDreadnoughtsstoodinthedoorwayofthehall,weaponsglowingwithheat.TheirgiantshoulderplatesalsoborethedoubleyellowblooddripoftheSixth.‘We… we could not come quickly enough to save our brothers,’ their leader said. His machine-moderatedvoicewasthickwithemotion.‘I…’‘Itoowaslate,BrotherDaman,’saidDante.‘Theyshouldhavewaited.’DantecountedthirtySpaceMarinecorpses.‘Theenemyiscunning.Itwishedtoprovokeusbyattackingouryouth.Ithassucceeded.’Hereactivatedhishelm’sstrategicdisplays.Forthetimebeingthesecondlinewasholding.‘Dontoriel,’hevoxed.‘Report.’‘Thegenatorumisfreeofenemy.Youwereright,mylord,thevoidshieldwastheirtarget.Weengagedthemnearthefirstgateway.Theenemywereannihilated.Wearechasingdownthesurvivors.’ReliefcoursedthroughDante,easingthehammeringofhishearts.Heswitchedvoxchannels,huntingoutCorbulo’sprivatechannel.‘CaptainRaxietalhasfallen.Brother,attendtotheextractionofhisgene-seedpersonally.Hewasawarriorofrareskill.’‘Howmanydead?’ repliedCorbulo. The sound of fighting raged in the background. Corbulo’s identsignumplacedhimonthenortherncurtainwall.‘Thirtyfallen.Somearewounded.’Danteattemptedtomove,butwashaltedbythedragofhisinjuredleg.Woundsignifiersscreamedforattention.Furthermore,hisarmour’slowerassemblywasimpaired.‘Ineedyourhelp.Iamwounded.IrequireTechmarinesalso,myarmourisdamaged.’‘Iwillfindoneandbringhimwithmeforyou,mylord,’respondedCorbulo.‘Mythanks.’Dantecutthevox,andlimpedtowardsawoundedSpaceMarine,intendingtocomforthimuntilhelparrived.Amuffledexplosionsounded.TheArxAngelicumshookviolently.Thelumenswentout.‘Status!’Dantevoxedhisentirecommandcadre.Incaraelreplied,hispassionlessmachinevoiceasclosetopanicasDantehadeverheard.‘Mylord,thevoidshieldisdown.’

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWOTHEHEART,SHATTERED

Thelictorwatchedtheprey’swarriorstrainattackitsbroodmates.Preyinredfiredtheirrefinedmineralspinesat the trygons.Theymisidentifiedsynapsecreaturesandfalselyassumed thedeathof the largestwouldprecipitatetheconfusionofthegenestealers.Theirtacticworkedagainstthem.Thetrygonsweretoostrongtobeeasilystoppedbytheirweaponry,leavingthegenestealerscrucialmomentstoattack.Thispreywaseasy.Slowtounderstand.Slowtoadapt,whilethehivemindevolvedathousandtimesfaster.The lictorhadnoopinions. Itmadenomoral judgement. It feltnoemotion.The little clash itwatchedthroughitsmanyeyeswasaddedtothesumtotalofthehivemind’sknowledge.Littlewastobegleaned.Observationwasnotitstaskanymore.Withcompletedisinterest,thelictorretreatedintotheshadows.Many ways revealed themselves to the creature’s bewildering suite of senses. Stealthy sonar pulsessoundedoutsecretpaths.Psychicresonanceandscent revealed the locationofpreyconcentrations thatmustbeavoided.Itslunkthroughcracksbarelywiderthanitshead,compressingitsbodytoanastoundingdegree.Theenergyskinofthepreyhivewasgeneratedbydevicesburiedinthissegment,allprotectedbyrockandmineraladaptations.Theythoughtitsafe.Theyweremistaken.The lictorcrawledalongdustyconduits.Whenever itsensedamaintenancedroneorservitor it froze,shrinking into thedark,until the thinghadpassed. Itpressedon,deeper into themachineryof thepreyhive, following theuniquevibrationpatternsof the shieldgenatorum.The tremorsof thebattleoutsidewereeasytodiscount.Ithadnotroublefindingitswaytothetarget.Deepinsideaconduit,itstopped.Aholeafootacrosscrammedwithpipesleddownwardintothegutsoftheprey’sdevice.Itcrouchedlow,tentacledmouthfeelingaroundthehole.Thrillsofelectricalenergytingledinitsbrain.Beneathitwasthepreycreatures’energynexus.Thiswastheway.Itshandswereincrediblydextrous.Withthemitwrenchedoutthepipesandcables,cuttingthemwherenecessarywithrazorclawsandteeth,hackingandtearinguntiltheholewasclear.Thelastcablebrokeandslippedawaydowntheshaft.Somehalf-biologicalthingcamerushingtoinvestigate.Thelictorslashedoutwithitsscythe-likeupperclawsbeforeitcouldraisethealarm.The lictor leanedover theholeagain.Probing tentaclesprovidedaperfectmeasurementof thehole’s

size.Evennowthecablingwasgone,theholewasstilltoosmalltoadmitthelictor.Withouthesitationittoreitsupperscythe-limbsoff.Whenthehivemindhadreshapeditsancestorsithadlefttheneuralarchitectureforpainintact,butthoughthelictorfelttheagony,itdidnottroubleit.Now it would fit. Its body convulsed, controlled muscle spasms moving its exoskeletal plates andendoskeletalstructureapart.Itsskullflattened,thesuturesbetweensectionscrackingwide.Itsremaininglimbspoppedoutoftheirsockets.Thelictordroopeditswaytowardsthehole,andwithashiveringrushslippedinsideanddown,lubricatedbyitsownblood.Fleshhooks flicked out from its ribs, dragging it downward towards the electric hum of the fieldgenerator.Thelictorcouldfeelthemachineinitsmind.Theenergyskinsofthepreywerebutoneoftheirtechnologies that utilised the energies of the immaterial universe that lay over that of matter. Crude.Ineffective.Mostpreyspecieswere like thisone,changing theworld to suit themrather thanchangingthemselves.Allhadfallentothesuperiorityofthehive.A flickering light registered on the lictor’s eyes. It was close. The light grew brighter, then becamepainful.Thelictorcarednothingasitseyeswereblinded.Itpresseddoggedlyon.Theconduitended.Haditstillbeenabletosee,thelictorwouldhavewitnessedacracklingsphereofcold energy. But it did sense themagnetic field holding the force in place. It could smell the tang ofpsychicallystressediron.Itslitheredfromtheconduit,towardsthescentofiron,seeingitswaybysonarandmagneticsenses.Tappinghandsfoundthethingitsought.TotheImperiumitwasafield-generatingspike,tothelictor’smagneticsensesitwasaglowingpillarofcoollightsurroundedbyradiatingbandsofforce.Thelictorembraceditlikeamonstersneakingintobedtodevourthesleeper.Thispivotalactwasperformedunnoticed.Noteven thehivemindwas trulyawareofwhat the lictordid, for itsconstituentpartsperformedeveryactionautomatically.Amandoesnot feelhisbloodcellsabouttheirwork.An internal convulsion squeezed thin-walled cysts seeded throughout its body, an adaptation it hadgrownspecificallyfor thismissionwhilewaitinginthedesert.Cellularwallsbroke,mixingchemicalsthatwereinertalone,butwhencatalysedformedapotentbio-acid.The pain this caused could not be ignored. Agony racked its body. It suffered, but the instinctiveresponsestopainitsancestorspossessedhadbeentakenlongago.Thelictordidnotletgo.Itcouldnot.Itheldontightly to thespikeas itsbodydissolved.Liquidseeped, thenflooded,allover thespike.Withslowcertaintytheacidateitswaythroughthemetal.Energyshortsburst from thecorrodedsurface.The spikecollapsed into itself and fell away from thesideofthereactionchamber.Thecoldpoweritheldincheckwobbledonitsaxis,thenfailed.Theexplosionthatfollowedheraldedthebeginningoftheendfortheprey.Thelictorliveduntilthelastmoment,certainvascularadaptationsenablingitsbraintooutlivethedeathofitsbodyandcommunicateitssuccess.Itfeltnosatisfactionatachievingitsmission.Noexhilaration.Noreleaseatitsdeath.Itfeltnothingatallbeforeitdied,andnothingaftereither.

DantewentatalimpingrunupfromtheHallofSarcophagi.Hisdamagedarmourgroundandcaught,itsmachine-spiritsingingaplaintivesongofalarmanddismaythatbeggedhimtostop.Hiskneethrobbeddangerously.ThethreeDreadnoughtsoftheSixthCompanystumpedafterhim,beseechinghimtowait.Hecouldnot.TheArxAngelicumshook.Anotherexplosionrockeddeepattheheartofthemountain.Statuarytoppledfrom plinths, smashing on the floor. Stone groaned and creaked. Cracks ran up walls designed towithstandmajor tectonicupheaval.Themountain flexed,shakingoffmillenniaofhumanartifice.Dante

ran for theStair ofApotheosis only to find its long steps shaken loose of their sockets andpiled likebrokengamingchitsatthebaseoftheshaft.‘Dontoriel!Report!’snappedDante.Dustandsmokespilleddownward.Therewasnoreply.‘Mylord,’voxedIncarael.‘Amassivereactorfailurehasdestroyedthevoidshieldgenatorum.Wewillbeexposedinseconds.Ihavemajorissuesacrossallourpowergenerationnexuses.Thecollapseoftheshieldisindangerofsparkingachainreactionrightacrossthefortressmonastery.’‘Fixitbeforeitgoescritical!’commandedDante.‘Mylord,itcannotbedone.Notwithouttakingsixtypercentofourpowergenerationoffline.’Moreexplosionsrockedtheancientfortress.Alarmswailedfromeveryquarter.Dante’svox-beadswereatyphoonroarofshoutingvoices,allaskingforinformation.‘Thenshutitdown!’shoutedDante.‘Shutthefortressdown!’‘Mylord,’saidIncarael.‘I…’‘Doit!’Tragedywasunfolding.TheArxAngelicumwasfalling.Dantehobbledon,makingforthebottomoftheWellofAngels.Heburstintoacircularshaftofgalleriedwalkways.HighabovewastheplazaandtheNineCirclesoftheVerdisElysia,buthecouldnotseethat,onlyacircleofpinkishblueskysectionedbythetriangularpanesoftheDomeofAngels.Thewateryshimmerofthevoidshieldhadgone.Thefortressrumbledagain.Theaftershocksweredecreasing.Blackrubblefellpastinanunseemlyrush.Thegalleriesabovewerefailing.Anuneasyquietfell.Thefortressceaseditsgrumbling.Theskyremainedfreeoftyranids.Dantestaredupwards.Itwouldnotlast.Blackcurtainsdrewoverthedome,swirlingmassesofflyingbeaststhatrushedatthefort.Gunsopenedupalloverthefortress,firingskyward,andarainofbrokenbodiesfellthumpingontothearmourglass.Thereweresomanyofthem.Theircorpsestumbleddownlikeleavesintotheguttersofwetterworlds.Manyarrivedunharmed.Livingthingsofgargantuansizelandedonskiddingtalonsandattackedthedomedirectly.Vox requests beeped in his helmet, all of themmarked as being of the utmost urgency. He selectedCaptainBorgio’svoxalmostatrandom.‘Mylord,wehavetyranidsalloverthefortress.Theaerialswarmisattackingunimpeded.’GunfireboomedandroaredallaroundtheArx,shakingitsmightywalls.Fromabovecameaseriesoftitanicbangs.Theaerialswarmsparted,makingthemselvesintoalivingtornadoupwhose funnelDante looked.Through themaelstrom, thousandsofheavy landingpodswerefalling.TheycouldnotlosetheArx.Ifthefortressfell,theywereasgoodasdead.Hecouldnotfightawarontwofronts.Danteclosedhiseyes.Withheavyheartsheopenedabattlegroupwidevoxchannel.‘Allwarriors,fallbacktotheArxAngelicum.Abandonthesecondline.’

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREEBLOODANDFLESH

GabrielSethwasatpeace.Inhishandswasachainbladeastallasafull-grownmortalmanthatshookandsnarledforblood.Overhisheadgunsfiredunremittingly.Beforehimwereuncountablefoes.Inhisheartwasasavageneedtokill.Andyet,hewasatpeace.He played Blood Reaver with consummate skill, sustaining its impetus so that it never stilled. Acombinationofweight,Seth’s strengthand theblade’s razored teethhad it cutting throughchitin, flesh,endoandexoskeletalstructures,strangealienorgansandweaponsymbioteswithease.Theweaponsentoutfinespraysofbonemealandbloodmistwitheveryswing.Neverdidatyranidcomecloserthansixfeet.ThelengthofBloodReaverdefinedahardlimitaroundSeththatnonecouldcross.TheFleshTearersfoughtwithsavageryatlastunfettered.Herewasafoewhosetotaldestructionwasdesired.Therewerenocivilianstofearforonthisbattlefield.Freedomcameinviolence.Itwasarelease.FornighontwocenturiesSethhadexhortedhiswarriorstorestrain themselves, curbing their worst excesses, directing what bloodlust he could not stop to theappropriate ends.Forhis troubleshehadbeen censured, triedbyhis peers, betrayedbyhiswarriors,huntedbytheInquisition.Noneofthatmatterednow.Noneofitatall.Heslewandheslewagain,andastheenemydied,andSethroaredandragedatthemforhavingthetemeritytoexist,aslow,coldsmilecreptoverhisface.NotevenatCryptus hadhebeen able to enjoy such abandon.Herewasvindication at last.OnBaalPrimus theFleshTearershadabattlefieldwheretheycoulddonowrong.AtyranidwarriorrearedupinfrontofSeth.BloodReaverwasalreadyonitswaytothebeast’sneckasit raised its deathspitter. The chainblade cut through vertebrae, sending the head, jaws still snapping,wheeling through theair.Thecreature remainedupright, jerking spasmodically, itsbladedupper limbsscything. The gills of its symbiote weapon pulsed, dribbling clear mucous, yellow, slit-pupilled eyesquintingathim.Theheadlesswarriortotteredforward.‘Stay down, xenos!’ shouted Seth. He barged the tyranid backwith his shoulder, and brought BloodReaveraroundinareversecutthatguttedthedeathspitter.Acidsloppedfromitsrivenabdomen,hissing

onthefloorandpittinghisceramitewhereitsplashedhim.It was dead, but there were more. There were always more. High Chaplain Astorath himself, theRedeemeroftheLost,andarbiterofthefateofallafflictedbythecurse,haddeclaredSethaweapon.Itwasarolegladlyfulfilled.HepumpedBloodReaver’sactivationbar,revvingitscompactengine.Thechain trackspunaround,flickingoutgore thatmightclogitsworkings,andheset tohisappointed taskagain.Timepassed.Seth’ssenseofselfreceded.Hisworldbecamethepumpingofhistwinhearts,theplayofhismuscles,thegrowingacheinhisfleshashefought.Seth could see no further than forty yards in any direction. Requests for orders from the warriorsstationed in the forts went unanswered. His men were individual dervishes, their squad cohesionabandoned.A sudden lull came in the fighting.Sethwas short on foes.Hehad slaughtered every tyranidwarriorwithinahundredyards.Nothingbut’gauntsremainednearby,scurryingaroundthecorpsesoftheirlargercousins.Sethstrodeforwarddowntheslopetowardsaknotofhiswarriorsfightingoutawayfromthemountain,BloodReaverreadytobeginitsrhythmicslaughteragain,butthetyranidspartedlikewaterbeforehim.Apathetic spatteringof ammunitiongrubscrackedonhis armour.SeeingSethunharmedandunwilling tofacehisrage,thehordeof’gauntsturnedtail,eerilymovingincompletesynchronicity,andscuttledaway.Warriorbroodsembeddedinthetyranidsecondlinehissedandroaredandneverturnedtheirfacesfromhim,buttheytoofellback.Theurgewastheretothrowhimselfintothefray,toabandonsense.TheBlackRagepulsedhotinhisbreastandhead,seducinghimwiththepromiseofbloodanddeath.Sethshuthiseyesandquicklywhispered,‘BytheBloodamImade.BytheBloodamIarmoured.’Hecouldnotseethebattleragingon,buthecouldhearit,thebarkofweaponsandroarsofhisbrothers,andtheeeriescreechingcriesofthetyranids.Hemusthearitandmasterhiswrath.Ifheshutoffhisdisplaysandauditoryequipmentand lethimselfsink intosilence,heknewhewould losehimselfassoonashereactivatedthem.Calmmustberegainedinthefaceoffury,hetoldhimself.‘BytheBlood,Iwillendure.’Heletoutalongbreath,feelingthetouchofthebloodmadnessretreatfromhismind.Timetotakestock.HehadattainedapositionuponaridgesomewayfromthewalloftheNecklace.Tohisfront,aseaoftyranidsseethedaroundknotsofSpaceMarines,someintheblackandmaroonofhisownChapter,someinthesilverandredoftheKnightsofBlood,toomanyintheblackoftheDeathCompany.Behindhimthecounterfeitmountainsof theNecklaceroseskyward.Hehadchosen tomakehisstandwhere the metal range bowed back in a U-shape, making a formation not unlike a corrie. His fortsoccupied the summits of the ridges embracing the space, now misted with blue fyceline smoke andcolumnsofblackfromburningtyranidmonstrosities.Amakeshiftdefencelinestopperedthemouth.Hisfewarmouredfightingvehiclesstuddedthisline,fillingtheroleofbunkers.Theirtrackswerechainedtoprevent theirbelligerentmachine-spirits takingcontrol anddrivingat theenemy.So far, thecrewshadresistedthetemptationtofreethem.Theyweremakingprogress.TheChapterasawholewasbecomingbetteratholdingdownits temperanddirectingitsberserkfuryintherightdirection.Suchapityitwasallgoingtoendthere.‘Furious Sentinel, report,’ he voxed, signalling the first of the forts.Hiswordswere bitten off, half-snarled.‘My lord, you have taken a fine toll on the foe.’ Captain Kamien’s voice was phlegmy, almoststrangled. It was hard for those warriors Seth had commanded toman the guns andwatch over theirbrothers.Hewouldnotbeabletokeepaskingthemtodoso.Defencewasnothispreferredformofwar,

buttyranidsrequiredwallstobreakthemselveson.Togiveincompletelytothethirstwouldresultinasinglecharge–glorious,butshort-lived.Hencethishatefulskulkingbehindfortifications.All his Chapter thirsted for the raw, unadulterated slaughter of close-quarter fighting. A third of hisremainingmen,alreadypitifullyfew,hadsuccumbedtothecurseandnowworetheblackandredoftheDeath Company. Appollus led them with consummate skill, wielding them as a weapon, somehowmanaging to coax them back and redeploy them after each attack, conserving their numbers beyondexpectation, though every evening therewere fewer, slain ingloryduring theday.More succumbed totheirownbloodlustinthenights.It was nearly over. Bolts ran out. Lives ran out. Time ran out. This battle was a charade, a grandperformancetokeeptheSpaceMarinesoccupiedwhilethetyranidswentabouttheirrealbusiness.Onthehorizon tentacled feedshipswerenosingdownfromthevoid,heldaloftbygiant,venousgasbladderswhose rapid inflation made a rubbery booming over the plains. Feeder tubes were already creepingupwardfromthegroundtomeettheships’pulsingmouths,andgiantchimneys,asgrandasanyImperialindustrial structure, were belching out shifting clouds of spores and microorganisms to aid in thedigestion.Seth spentminimal time reading tractson themoresof an enemy.He sawnopoint.Hewas first andforemostawarrior.Hisrequirementwastoknowwheretheenemywere,andhowtheycouldbekilled.Butherecognisedthedigestionphaseofatyranidattack.Hisbreathrushedinhishelmlikethesnortingofabull.Thedisgustingstinkoftyranidbloodpollutedhisairsupplydespitehishelm’sbesteffortstofilteritout.Thetrapwasobvious.Thetyranidshadreadhimwell, luringhimaway fromhis forts. If his force advanced any further hewouldpass through thecurtainoftheartillerybombardment,andbeisolatedanddestroyed.Thenextwordshespokewereamongthehardesthehadeveruttered.‘All companies, regroup. Fall back to Furious Sentinel andWrathfulVigilance. The enemy have hadenoughfortoday.’

Night fellofadoubleblacknessasBaalPrimus turned itsback to thesunand toBaal.Thestarswereblottedoutbysmokeandsporecloudsandtheendlessshipsoftheswarminorbit.Lightcamefromtheground instead of the heavens. Low fires played over the horizon where Stardam, Baal Primus’ onlysizeablesettlement,burned.Thenoiseofhumanweaponsfiringtherehadceasedearlierthatevening.Unlike on Baal, the war on the first moon was diffuse. Chapters were scattered across the world’ssurface.Dantehaddeployedthemthatwaydeliberately,justenoughwarriorstodivertthetyranidsawayfromBaalandtheArxAngelicum,notenoughtoweakenthedefenceofthefortressmonastery,spreadingthemouttodividetheenemy’sattention.TheSpaceMarinesuponBaalPrimuswereatokenforce.Mostofthepopulationhadbeenmoved,muchoftheresthaddiedinthefighting.Thedarkwasalivewiththescreechesof tyranidbeastsand the thunderclapsofSpaceMarineguns.Theancientmetalof the fallenorbitalsthrummedinsympathy,rememberingancientwarsintheirdreams.‘What arewewaiting for,Gabriel?’ snarledAppollus.He appeared from the gloomof themakeshiftrampart,hisgrimacingskullhelmalivewiththeflickerofgunfirefromtheartilleryplatformbelow.‘Whydidyouorderusback?Thisisweakness,pathetic!’‘Wewilldie,’saidSeth.HisfingerscurledintofistsasheimaginedsmashingAppollusintheface.ToomanytimestheChaplainhadquestionedhisjudgement.‘Wearegoingtodiewhateveryoudo,’saidAppollus.‘Thisisanunwinnablewar.Youknewthat,whenwecamehere.’‘Youknewyourself,oryouwouldnothavefollowedme.’

Appolluslaughedharshly.‘YouwhoweregoingtosavetheChapter,killingusallforaBloodAngel’swhim!Theironychokesme.’SethroundedonAppollus.‘Donotspeaktomethisway,Chaplain.’‘Iperformthedutiesofmyoffice.’‘Youspeakfromyourblackhearts.’Appollus stepped threateningly close. ‘If you do not likewhat I say, then conferwithHighChaplainCanarvoninstead.’Appollus jestedbleakly.Canarvonhadfinallysuccumbedtohiscenturies-longsorrowthedaybefore,andthesamedayperishedintheblackoftheDeathCompany.‘Youarenotanauthorityoverme,’growledSeth.‘IamChapterMaster.Mydecisionstands.Wefighthere.Wesallyoutwhenneeded.Wekillattherighttime.IhavenotreturnedthisChapterfromthebrinkofdestructiontothrowitaway.’‘We will die,’ said Appollus, ‘and for the benefit of one who would have executed you, had HighChaplainAstorathnotexertedhiswill.’Appollusslammedhishanddownhardontherampart.‘Whatisthis?TheoldSethwouldneverhavegrovelledbeforeDante.YouputtheAngelsofBaalbeforeyourownbrothers.YouleftourscoutstodietohelpDanteatCryptus.Dozensofusfellatthatshieldworldsothattherestofusmightdiehere.Therearelessthantwohundredofusleft,Seth.Amit’slegacyhaslongbeenguttering.Youwillbetheonetosnuffitout.’‘Onlycowardsspeakso.Cowardshavenoright toaudience,’saidSeth.Hesteppedaway.Appollus’handshotoutandgrabbedhisarm.‘I am all you have left.’ Anger simmered under his words. Seth respected the strength of will theChaplainpossessed tokeephimself incheck. ‘The restof theReclusiamaredead. Iam the lastof theFleshTearersChaplains,andIspeaktoyourightly.’Seth’sbreathwhistledthroughclenchedteeth.Heforcedthetensionfromhismuscles.Appollusreleasedhisarm.‘We should not die like cornered vermin.’Aplea, fuelled by anger andpride. ‘I am anAngel of theEmperor.WeshoulddiewithSanguinius’nameonourlipsandourweaponsinourhands,notskulkingbehind thesewalls.Thepaltrydefences set in placeon thismoon arenothing.’Appollus flungout hisotherhand toencompass thehorizon. It shookwithanger. ‘TheotherChapters aredestroyed.The realbattleisonBaal.Dantedidyouagreatdishonour,andhedidnotaskyouasanequal.Heordered,youobeyed.’‘Thereisnodishonourinwhatwedo,’saidSeth.HewantedtoagreewiththeChaplain.Hissoulachedtoplungeintothefireandneveremerge.Buthecouldnot.HewasChapterMaster,GuardianofWrath,andhewoulduseit,notithim.‘Dantehastaskedmewithsafeguardingthelastfeatherofourprimarch.There isnogreater honour than that.Wecangooutasyousay, fullof righteous fury,andslaughter theenemy untilwe fall.Butwewill fall quickly.By remaining here,we buy theBloodAngels time.Wediverttheattentionofthehivemindandweensure,Chaplain,thatatleastaportionofthisbloodlineyousayyoucareforsomuchsurvives.’‘Wewillperishneedlessly.TheFleshTearerswillbenomore.’‘This is no longer about our survival or damnation. This is about the survival of the heritage ofSanguinius!’SethshoutedrightintoAppollus’helmetedface.Theskullremainedimpassive.Seth turned away, teeth grinding.He pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes, letting the chill ofceramiteonskincoolsomeofhisrage.Appollusmadeanoiseofuttercontempt.‘Dantehaschangedyoufortheworse,Seth.Danteseesyouasasavage.Heusesyouasatool.Andyouare.IlooktoSentorJoolandseetheoldSeth.Hedoesnothold

back.Hewilldiegloriously.WewilldielikedogsforthebenefitofCommanderDante,nooneelse.’Appollusstormedaway,hisinkblackarmourswallowedupbythenight.SethspatoutovertherampartandlookedovertheplaintowheretheKnightsofBloodfought.JoolhadignoredSeth’swishesandestablishedhisoperationsclosebytheFleshTearers’position.Byallrightstheyshouldhavebeenwipedoutthreetimesover.JoolhaddoneexactlywhatSethwouldnot,plunginghisforcesdirectlyintotheheartoftheenemy.Flashesofboltgunfireandvox-amplifiedhowlingwerethesoleindicationstheysurvivedamidthechurningmassofaliens.He respected and loathed the Knights of Blood. They fought with the strength of ten men each, andreapeda terrible tollon theenemy.Theydidnot fear the rageand the thirstas toomanyofhiscousinChapters did.But tyranid bloodwas not their sole tally onBaal Primus. The numbers ofmortals haddwindledfastestnearthepositionoftheKnightsofBlood.Veryfewofthemhadbeenkilledbytheenemy.Sethwasgladitwouldallbeoversoon.IntheKnightsofBloodhesawhisChapter’sfuture,asrage-fuelledanimalswhofoughtwithoutrestraint.Thatfuturehadshortenedconsiderably,butdamnationstillhadtimetoclaimthem.Whilehedrewbreath,theFleshTearerswouldattempttobeofsomeservice.Baalwas coming up, bathing the hordes of tyranids in the badlands in pink planetshine. Themotherworld rose quickly. Seth watched it until the equator rolled over the horizon and the Arx Angelicumbecamevisible.Helookedtothelocationofthefortressmonasterythroughvoidwardischargeandswarmsoftyranidships.Occasionalflashesoflightonthesurface,faraway,indicatedthattheBloodAngelsstillheldout.Transfixedby the lights,Sethpunchedat the rampartwithhis left fist, landingblows in timewith thegunsthatgotheavierthemorehethought.Appolluswasright,butSethknewhewasalsoright.Theremustbeamiddleway.Alarms blared, breaking his concentration. Searchlights snapped on, bringing a wide section of thebadlands intobrilliant illumination.Hundredsofmassiveassaultbeastsweremovingforward.Gunfirefromthetwofortswasimmediatelyredirecteduponthem,butthoughthegroundshookandbuckledunderthebombardment,thecreatures’armourwasthick,andpreciousfewofthemfell.Sethheardtheirsupportbroodsbeforehesawthem,achittering,chirringscreeching,adarkerblacknessonthenight,andatorrentofbodieswithbeatingwingsflashedinthesearchlightbeams.Sethgrinnedwith feralglee. Itappearedhischoiceofdeathwas tobedictated forhim.The tyranidsweremakinganotherassault.

Appollusgothiswish,thoughnotforthereasonshehadputforward.SethledhalfofhiswarriorsinachargeintothetyranidsinanattempttoreachSentorJool,pre-emptingthe attack upon his forts. His men joyously abandoned their guns and took up chainswords and boltpistols,rushingaftertheirmasterintothefray.Darkness made no difference to Seth. He killed in the light and he killed in the dark with equalefficiency.Thenightwasthesameasthedayhadbeen,saveonlythatnowuponhisback,securedinamagnetictubelockedtohisarmour,wasthereliquaryofAmitanditspreciouscargo.He let the Red Thirst slip free of all bonds. His teeth extended, digging into his lower gums. Hesalivatedforblood,evenforthevileichorsofthetyranids.HewouldkillthemallandthenhewouldsatethelesserofSanguinius’curses.Thatwashispledgetohimself.‘BytheBloodamImadestrong!’heroared,guttingagenestealer.Itsfellowsranathim,deadlyclawsextended.Ifasingleonegotwithinstrikingdistancehewasasgoodasdead.Sethlaughed.Noneofthemgotclose.Hecleavedthemintwo.Boltroundsfromhishonourguardpunchedthemfromtheirfeet.Hiswarriorsranbesidehiminashallowspeartip,howlingandroaringastheysmotethefoe.Thelastofhis

DeathCompanygaveoutstrangledcriesastheybludgeonedtheiropponentstodeath.Hisbattle-brothersbarely had anymore restraint.Harahel, FirstCompany champion,was a snarling dervish.Belthiel theLibrarianwielded his anger as a psychic bludgeon, smashing aside the enemy inwide swathes. FleshTearersDreadnoughtsstampedthroughthemassoftyranids,waistdeepinlesserbeings.Lightningclawsspinning, they engaged themonstrousbeasts of the enemy, coringdeep, bloodyholes in their chitinousarmour.Stuttering light castby thedisruption fieldsofpowerweapons strobed thebattlefield.Searingplasmablastsbroughtshortnoonstothedeadofnight.‘Wearewrath!Wearefury!’theFleshTearerschanted.‘Wearethebladeoftheangel,wearethedeathofthealien!’Screaming, killing, the Flesh Tearers ripped through the phalanx of heavy assault creatures movingtowardstheforts.Afewgunsstillfiredupthere.Theywereinconsequential.Furycarriedthemforward.Krakgrenades jammedintobonyhollowsandbreathingventsbroughtcarnifexes low.Volleyedplasmapistolshotsimmolatedtrygons.ToSeth’slefthismenclosedonatervigon,riddlingitsbirthingsacwithbolt shells. Termagaunts flopped out, half alive, from the ruin of the alien womb, slain before theyassumedfullawareness.Adozenchainswordsdippedinandoutofthetervigon’sexposedguts,bringingthemightycreaturetodeath.ThetyranidshadadaptedthemselvesfortheBloodAngels’propensityforviolence.Theyhadlearnedatanexponentialrateall theweaknessesoftheirenemy,buttheirknowledgewasgeneralised.Theywerenotpreparedforthischarge.TheywerenotpreparedfortheFleshTearers.Thetyranidslumberedabout,becomingentangled, attempting tomake space for theirweaponry,but thecloselypackednatureof thehordepreventedthem.Theyfiredanyway,sendingfrenziedgrubs,hypertrophicseedpodsandacidspraysat Seth’s men, hitting their own kind instead. The organisms that made the tyranids’ munitions wereprogrammednottoharmrecognisedphenotypes,butacidsandpyrochemicalmixturesknewnothing,andburnedtyranidsaseasilyasmen.Flaringchemicalfirebathedthebattlegroundinweirdcolours.Bone-drysoilturnedintoslurrywiththespillingofsomuchxenosvitae.BloodpoundedinSeth’sskulltotherhythmoftwohearts.‘ByhisBloodarewemade!ByhisBloodarewearmoured!ByhisBloodshallwetriumph!Forward,forward!TotheKnightsofBlood!’Anothermonsterdied,andanother.Thenoiseofboltgunsandmorechantingcamefromashockridgeahead.‘SentorJool!’roaredSeth.‘SentorJool!Ihavecomeforyou!’Withasurgeofnearecstaticexhilaration,Sethranatamassivecarnifex,loppingoffthesnoutbarrelofitsbondedcannon.Thethingwaspowerfulbutslow,almostpeckingatSethwithitscrustacean’sclaws.Sethwastoofast.Twowell-placedblowswithhisswordblindedthemonster,andheranupitsshoulder,rodeitsfrenziedbuckinguntilhestoodathwartitsspine.ReversingBloodReaver,herammeditdownward,strugglingastheweaponskiddedonthebeast’s livingshell.He foughtwith theevisceratoruntil it snaggedonanedgeofchitinandpulledforward,burrowingitselfdownintothebeast’sback.Thecarnifexcrashedforward,dead,andSethleaptfree.Figuresinsilverandredappeared,intermingledwiththealiens.Somemovedtoattackhim.Heparriedtheblowsofone,shovinghimbacksothathedisappearedintothepressofthemelee.Hewasforcedtokillanother.Onhewent,slaughteringeverythinginhispath,untilaraggedbannercameintoview,andagiantfigurestoodupontheridge’sedge.‘SentorJool!’Sethcalled.HebargedpastaKnightofBlood,knockingtheweaponfromanother’shand.Jool roared and jumped down the slope, feet slamming into the ground before Seth. He swung hischainsword.SethcaughtitsedgeuponBloodReaver.Themotorsoftheirweaponswhinedasteethtracks

jammedagainstoneanother.‘SentorJool!’saidSeth.HethrewbacktheotherChapterMaster.‘Dampenyourfury!’TheKnightofBloodrecoveredandraisedhisweapontostrikeagain.Sethshoutedback.Joolhalted,andloweredhissword.Fromheadtofoothedrippedwithalienfluids.Rentsinhisarmourfizzedwithsealantfoams.Asunderedpowercablesparked.‘You deign to share the field with us, after all,’ said Jool. His voice strainedwith the effort of notleapingforwardtoattackSeth.Thefightingwasabatingaroundthem.KnightsofBloodformedacirclearoundthetwoChapterMasters.FleshTearersmatchedtheircounterparts,allofthemconstantlyinmotion.Sethreachedupandtorehishelmfree.Hehadnotrealisedinhisfurythatitwasrainingasalty,acidic-drizzle.Heblinkedthestingingliquidawayfromhiseyes.‘Thetyranidsarefeasting.Thisworldislost,’saidGabrielSeth.Hetoofelttheurgetofight,toattackandkilltheKnightofBlood,tocastasideallreasonandendhislifewithonefinal,heroicduel.Hekepthispassionsincheck.Hehadsomethingelseinmind.‘Youcanfightme,orwecanfightthemtogether.’Joolgrowled.‘Ishouldkillyou.’Hetookastepforward.‘Thetimeforallianceisdone.Thereisonlyblood.’Jool’smenformeduparoundhim.Seth’sFleshTearersrespondedinkind.Boltgunsraised.Therageroseinthemall.Fratricidewasaheartbeataway.SethgunnedBloodReaver’sengine,andheldit,readyforviolence.‘Iwascorrect,’saidJoolthickly.‘YouandIarejustthesame.Suchgloriousslaughterwecouldhavemade,ifonlyyouhadlistened.Nowitistoolate.’‘It isnot!’Seth roared.Withagreateffortofwill,he threwdownBloodReaver,and tugged the tubefromhisback,knockingthetopoffandallowingAmit’sReliquarytoslideoutintohishands.‘Iwillnotlettheragetakemehere,’saidSeth,holdingoutthereliquary.‘Iwillnotpointlesslydieasabeast.’Atthesightofthereliquary,theangeroftheothersfaltered.‘Iwillnotfightattherage’sbehest.IfightforSanguinius.Mydeathwillcountforsomething.’Joolstaredatthereliquary.Hisheadbowed,hisweaponwaveredandlowered.‘FortheGreatAngel,’hesaid,hisvoicequiet.‘WefightfortheImperium.’‘Notforfury’ssake,’saidSeth.Heheldthereliquaryhigh.Ashedidso,aclearlightshonefromwithinthroughthefretworkofthemetal.Atitstouch,theirangerbledaway,andFleshTearersandKnightsofBloodfelltotheirkneesinwonder,leavingJoolandSethstandingalone.‘ImadeapromisetotheMasteroftheBloodAngelstosafeguardthisartefact.Iintendtokeepit,’saidSeth.‘Whatdoyousuggest?’saidJool.‘BaalPrimusisfinished.Ihavecalledinmyfleettoevacuateus.IwillreturnthisrelictoitshomeintheBasilica Sanguinarum. I will allow you to join us, as you requested. Set aside your ban on fightingalongsideothers.ReturnwithustoBaal,wherewewilldiewithpurpose.’

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOURPARADISELOST

Pilesofbrokenwingswereheapedhigh likebizarre leaves fromstone trees.TheWalkofAngelshadbecomeawalkofdeath,andallitsloftyheroescastdownfromtheirplinths.Gunfireriddledthepodiumsof thefallenstatues,blastingapartstonebroughtfromfarawayworlds togracetheArxAngelicum.BeautyhadmadeherhometheresincethedawnoftheImperium,butshewasdrivenout.The Arx Angelicum burned. On every level of the towering fortress war raged. The tyranid aerialswarm, free to act once the void shield was down, beat back the defenders from the stepped outergalleries of the Arx Murus. Section by section, guns fell silent, and tyranid ground organisms werebrought to bear. Carnifexes battered at the fortress’ gates. Lithe-limbed genestealers climbed mirror-sheenedwalls.Haruspexesvomitedcargoesofsmallerbeastsontoparapetsmannedonlybycorpsesinpowerarmour.Shortlyafterthevoidshieldfell,theDomeofAngelsshattered.Weakenedbyacidicdroolandweaponseffusions,thetransparisteelgaveoutunderabombardmentspatoutbyconvulsingweapons-tractsoftheshipsinorbit.ThereweretoofewSpaceMarinesvesselslefttopreventthis.Thewarinspacemirroredthat upon the ground; the united front of the sons of Sanguiniuswas broken intomyriad small actions.Seeing theweakness in cohesionbetween theChapters, thehivemindhaddriven themapart, andwaseliminatingthemonebyone.WhatreportsmadeittothestrategiumthroughthetyraniddenialbroadcastsspokeofChaptersshatteredand battle-barges destroyed. The Invictrix, flagship of the Charnel Guard, was downed over BaalSecundus, the scattered remainsof itshullburned in theGreatSaltWastesofDante’sbirth.TheFleshTearersVictushadbrokenflightandhadnotemergedfromthefarsideofBaalPrimus.Alltoldadozenbattle-bargeswere verified destroyed, tenmoreweremissing, presumed lost.Hundreds of other craftwere gone. The entirety of theGolden Sonswarfleet, whose auric vessels had patrolled the northernreachesofthegalaxysincethe38thmillennium,wereshatteredintogold-richfragmentsorbitingBaal’souterworlds.Theirfabledlibrariuswaslost tothevoid.Theirserfswereconsumedbythehivemind,theirbattle-brothersreducedtoahandfulofscatteredsurvivors.TheAngelsExcelsishaddiedinflames.

TheScionsofSanguiniusweredowntoasolebattlecruiserlimpingawayfromtheconflict.Soitwenton.Mortismarkaftermortismarkcamein,notthesinglerunesthatdenotedthelossofabattle-brother,butrareandterriblesymbolsthatspokeofthedeathsofcompaniesandofChapters.TheAngelsGlorious,theBurningBlood,theBrothersofJarad,wipedoutwithoutasolesurvivor.ThesituationonBaalwaslittlebetter.AndasDante’ssoulshookwitheachinstanceofdreadfulnews,sotheArxAngelicumrockedtothepoundingofbio-artilleryandram-beastshurledtotheirdeathsfromhighorbit.ThetimefortightcooperationbetweentheChapterswasover,endedfarmorequicklythanDantehadfearedpossible.Thedwindlingwarriors defending theArx against the swarms fell backonwhat theyknew; fighting by Chapter, company and squad, until massive casualties rendered even these modestgroupingsirrelevant,andtoooftenwarriorsfoundthemselvesalonetofacethefoeandthethirstbeforethe end.Likehiveworldgangs, bandsof survivors carvedout territories todefendwithin the fortressmonastery.IntheHeavenwardRedoubtasemblanceoforderremained,butoutsidethekeepoftheArxthesonsoftheGreatAngelwereforcedbackcorridorbycorridor.Nomatterhowmanyoftheenemytheyslew,therewerealwaysmore,andsotheywereworndown,isolatedandultimatelydestroyed.Althoughhewasamongthegreatestmilitarymindsofhisage,Dantecouldformulatenostrategyagainstsuchattritionalmurder.HadthevoidshieldnotfallentheChaptersoftheBloodmighthavepersistedandeventually triumphed. It had been done before, on Macragge, but the Behemoth had been a modestshoalingcomparedtotheLeviathan,andthevoidshieldwasgone.Dantefoughtwherehecouldnotcommand.Heventedhisfrustrationpersonally,axetoflesh,againstthebeaststhatwouldshatterhislegacy.Hubrishaddamnedhim.Hehadfallenfortheliesofhisownlegend.Behemothhadbeendrivenback.Surelyhe,Dante,coulddothesamewithLeviathan?Thetyranidswereclosingontheredoubt’sgates.Ifthekeepweretofall,thefightwouldbeover.Striketeams foughtonmultiple levels, attempting to seal thewaysup to thenerve centreof theArx.Hehadawardedhimselfthemostoneroussectoraspenance.TheWalkofAngelswasthebroadest,leastdefensibleoftheapproachestotheredoubt’smiddlesection.ThefarendwasaccessedfromtheplazaviatheimpressiveTribunalisVictorum,anarchitecturalwonderbecometactical liability.Theleftof thewalk’scurvinglengthwasopento theWellofAngels.Stainedarmourglassthathadfilledeleganttraceriesskiddedtreacherouslyunderfoot.Flyingtyranidbeastsflewrepeatedly at the gaps in the ruinedwindows.Mostwere shot down before they could fly through byheavybolterturretssetintothebuttressesoutside.Theyfaithfullychuggedaway,theirammunitionfeedsprotectedbyfeetofrockcreteandplasteel.Evenso,severalweregone,theturretsrippedfreebysuicidalattacks.Therestfiredon,nevertiring,theirindefatigablemachine-spiritssmashingmonstersfromtheair.Thefewflyingcreatures thatcrashed into theWalkofAngelsalivewere injuredandeasypreyfor thedefenders.TheAxeMortalisbuzzed,motesofdustburstingintonothingasDanteswept it throughdebris-chokedair.A gargoyle, pathetic on the ground, diedwith a shriek and a burst of shattered atoms.He ran on,killing more maimed winged tyranids as he pounded towards the Arcus Elim. A tall, beautiful archfashioned in the early days of the Chapter, it had admitted processions of the BloodAngels from theTribunalisaftereveryvictoryforeightmillennia.DanteglancedoutintotheWellofAngels.TeethofglassrimmedthecalderawheretheremainsoftheDomeofAngelsclungtotherock.Thesereneheartofthemonasterywasawhirlwithflapping,screechingattackorganisms.Weaponsensconcedallaroundthevolcano’sthroatfiredendlesslyintotheswarm.Theplazawas yards thickwith tyranid dead, but therewere not enough guns or enough bullets to kill thenumberlessmillionsofxenosstillrainingdownonBaal.AmixedgroupofBloodAngels,AngelsNuminousandBloodDrinkersranwithDante.Draftedmortals

and warrior blood thralls provided covering fire, their las-beams cracking down the way, fellinggargoylesastheyburstthroughintothewalk.AnothergargoyleskiddedacrossthefloorbeforeDante,itswingburnedoff.Itscreamedathimdefiantly.Hestampeditsheadflatasheran.Dante threw himself into the cover of theArcus Elim’smassive triple-lobed pillars.Angels bearingvictorywreathsofgreenstonelookeddownwithblankeyes,handsheldoutinblessingtowardsthelongsweepoftheTribunalisVictorum.AhundredyardsdownthestairswarriorsandfourDreadnoughtsoftheRedWingsheldabarricadeofsmashedstoneworkagainstaseethingmassoftyranids.Noboltmissedamark.Creatureswereblownapartby the score,whole ranksof themblasted intogobbetsof fleshandshardsofbio-armour.Stilltheycameon.Soithadgoneonforthreedays,sincethetyranidshadbrokentheirwayontothelandingbelow.Thestairswerefullyenclosed.TheRedWingswerefreefromaerialattack. Itwas an excellent choke point under any other circumstances but they could not hold the lineforever.Theysimplycouldnotkillallthebeastssentagainstthem.AchimepingedinDante’searasanotherheavybolterturretontheexteriorofthewalkfellsilent.Thewalkwouldnotstaydefensibleforlong.Thetyranidswouldbreakthrough,andtheRedWingswouldbecutoff.‘CaptainDentinus,preparetofallback,’voxedDante.TheRedWingssangas theyfired.Theirgunssteamedfromconstantdischarge.Dantecouldfeel theirrage,theirdesiretospringfromcoverandattackwithaxeandblade.ThescionsofSanguiniuswerenotmadeforthiskindofwar.Frustrationworsenedtheirrage.‘Weareholdingtheminplace,mylord,’insistedDentinus.‘Wecankeepthestairfree.’‘YouwillfallbacktothePortisCastellum,’saidDante.‘Thewalkiscompromised.Itsgunsdie.Itmustbesealedatthisend,andtheperimeterre-establishedattheentrytotheredoubt.Preparetofallbackonmyorder.’‘Asyoucommand,mylord,’saidDentinusreluctantly.ABloodDrinkersTechmarineworkedquicklyat thefarsupportof thearch.Heandhisservitorshadalreadypreparedthecolumnfordemolition.Aringofmeltaflasksadheredto thestonewithexplosiveputty,wiressproutingfromtheiropenedcases.Itwasanuglyexecutionerforsuchaworkofbeauty.Dantemoved aside to allow anotherTechmarine to get at the second pillar.He could not tellwhichChapterhewasfrom.Hisarmourwascoveredinduststucktooil,hisbadgeobscured.HecouldhavebeenoneofDante’sown.TherestofthewarriorswithDantearrayedthemselvesinafiringlineatthetopoftheTribunalis.‘Demolitionisprepared,mylord,’voxedtheTechmarine.Dantewalkedtothecentreoftheline.‘Company!Standreadytogivefire.Dentinus,fallback.Now.’TheRedWingsloosedafewmoreshots,sometarryingattheirstations,loathtoleavetheenemyalive.Thosewithpresenceofmindlockedtheirbolterstotheirarmourandhauledammunitioncratesfromdeadresupplyservitorsandretreatedunderthecoveroftheirfellows.ThefourDreadnoughtswerethelasttoleave,walkingbackwardsupthestairs,theirgunssweepingbackandforthastheyretreated.‘Openfire,’orderedDante.HismixedgroupshotovertheheadsoftheRedWings,holdingthetyranidsbackwithastormoffire.Thestairswerebroadbutsteep.TheSpaceMarineswereabletokeepupaconstantfusilladeuntiltheRedWingswereclose.Theyceasedforamomentastheseventyorsowarriorsranbetweenthem,thenopenedupagain.‘Dentinus,fallbacktothePortisCastellum.Gatherupthemortalsfromalongtheway.YoumaybeginpreparationsatthePortisCastellumimmediately.Youwillholdthelinethere.’‘Mylord.’

TheRedWingsstreamedbacktowardsthecitadel,lettingoffopportunisticshotsintotheaerialswarmintheWellofAngelsastheyran.OnlywhentheyhadcrossedthelaststepdidtheDreadnoughtsswiveltheirlegsaround,theirtorsosfollowing,thenbreakintoastone-shakingrun.‘Company,’saidDante.‘Fallbackonmycommand,groupbygroup.Coveringfireprotocol.’Thetyranidssurgedupthestairs.Hundredsdied,butfreeofthepunishingheavyweaponsfireoftheRedWingsDreadnoughtstheywereabletodrawclosertotheirenemy.‘Groupone,fallback!’shoutedDante.Half theSpaceMarines turnedandranafter theRedWings.With thevolumeoffirehalvedagain, thetyranidscamecloser.Theirbreathsteamedintheair.Theirshrieksweredeafening.ThefirstgroupofSpaceMarinesreformedahundredyardsupthewalk,readytocovertheothers.‘Grouptwo,fallback!’shoutedDante.Theremainderleft.Allgunfireinthewalkceased.Thetyranidsroaredandpouredupthestairs.Thesecondgroupcontinuedrunningthroughthefirst,towardswheretheRedWingswereestablishingafreshbarricadeinfrontofthehugeblackmetalgatesoftheHeavenwardRedoubt.Weaponsturretsoverthegatescameonline,readyforthefoe.Hissing cries echoed up the Tribunalis. The first tyranids ran through the arch, into the guns of thewaitingSpaceMarines.‘Mylord?’saidaTechmarine.Heheldupandetonator.Foreight thousandyears theArcusElimhadstoodwitness to thevictoriesof theBloodAngels.Howpainfullyfittingthelastthingitshouldseewasdefeat.‘Bringitdown,’saidDante.TheTechmarine’sthumbdepressedthebutton.Thechargesblewinhorizontalcolumnsofrockpowdersosymmetricaltheycouldhavebeenpainted.The arch cracked, slumping towards its middle. Huge chunks of masonry jammed against each other,preventingitstotalcollapse.Thefirsttyranidsgallopedunderthearch,sharphoovesslippingonthepolishedfloorbeneathitscloakofdebris.‘Keepfiring!’someoneshouted.‘Heavyweapons,targetthearchapex,’orderedDante.Lascannonsandmissilelaunchersfinishedthedemolitionasthehordepouredthrough.Withawrenchingcreak,stonegroundonstoneandtheArcusElimcrackeddownandapart.Chunksofmasonrysmashedintothetyranids,theircarvingsshatteringonthegalleryfloor.ArushoftumblingrockdebrispoundeddownfromaboveandsealedthewaytotheTribunalis.Thefewtyranidswhomadeitthroughweregunneddown.Thecompanyletoutaraggedcheer.Thewaytotheredoubtwasblocked.Dante remained silent.He stared at the billowing dust. Therewas no victory in thatmoment. ItwasArnupul,Hollonan,RogetsGiftandCryptusalloveragain.Apatheticgesture,apebbleplacedinthepathoftheflood,andworseforbeinglesserthanallthosethathadgonebefore.Dantelethismencheer,buttheymightaswellsavetheirbreathandcheeratthelasttyranidtheydownedbeforetheirheadsweretornfreeoftheirnecks.Itwouldmeanasmuch.Silently,theChapterMasterturnedonhisheelandstrodebacktothePortisCastellum.

Dantewaitedimpatientlywhileforgethrallsworkedonhisarmour.Bluesparksfizzedfromarcwelders.Plasmatorcheswarmedtheceramitetotemperaturesdeadlytomortals.Thepristinegoldwasdentedandcoveredinlubricant,sealantfoam,sacredhealingoils,alienbloodandrockdust.Theserunningrepairs

wereallthatkeptitgoing.CaptainAdanicioaddressedagatheringofbattle-worncaptainsfromnumerousChapters.The strategium shook. Dust sifted from the ceiling, interfering with the tactical hololith. The ArxAngelicumtookcentrestageinthelightmap,itsblackrockdescribedinblueangularlines.Awashofredlappedarounditsfeet.Morereddotted its rampartsanditsgalleries. Itwasagiantcorpse infestedbymaggots.Everyblobrepresentedabroodoftyranids.Eachbroodcouldbedozensstrong.Theblobsranintoeachother,ablanketsmotheringthelifeoutofthefortressmonastery.Individualcomponentsintheredwereindistinctunlesszoomedintothefinestlevel.ThenIshouldgoout into the thickof them,boltgun inhand,andcount themmyself, thoughtDantefuriously.‘Thelowerhallsarestillcontested,’Adaniciowassaying.‘TheAngelsNuminousholdtheGalleryofArts,buttheyarelosingnumbersallthewhile.Wehavemajorproblemshere,intheWellofAngels.TheVerdisElysiaisoverrunonallbuttheninthcircle.Weretaketheplazaonlytoloseittotheenemydaily.Isuggestweabandonit.Untilnow,allenemyreinforcementshavebeencomingdowntheWellofAngels,where our guns might take a toll on them, and via the Portis Gehenna. The enemy are making moreinroads.Threehoursago,tyranidburrowingorganismspenetratedtheArxMurushereandhere.’Brightwhitetunnelspushedtheirwaythroughthethicknessofthevolcanoes’walls.‘TheyoutflankedusattheElohimGateandGatesofDondris.Soon,theywillhavethemopen.’‘Howdidthishappen?’saidDanteangrily. ‘Where isZargo?Whereare theAngelsEncarmine?Theyweretaskedwithholdingthefourthsector.’AdanicioglancedatCaptainSendrothoftheBloodAngelsNinth.‘Answerme!’saidDanteangrily.‘Zargodied anhour ago,my lord, alongwith two thirds of hisChapter,’ saidSendroth. ‘TheAngelsEncarminearedevastated.Halfof themcouldnot restrain themselvesat the lossand let the thirst takethem.Theykilledmanybeforetheyfell.Therearebarelyacompany’sworthofthemleft.’‘Wereyounotinformed,mylord?’saidAdanicio.‘Isentoutrunners.’Danteshookhishead.‘Theyneverreachedme.’‘Withoutawidervoxnetwork,wearedoomed,’saidCaptainIlliusoftheSanguineHost.‘Weareattemptingtoboostourvoxgaintobreakthroughthetyranidjammingfield,buttheirmethodshavebecomemore sophisticated sincewe last fought them,’ said Incarael. ‘They seem toknowwhichfrequenciestoshutdownassoonasweopenthemup.Onlybruteforcewillovercomeit,butwhenwepush,theypushbackharder.Ourcapacitytoovercometheirdenialbroadcastislessening.Theymakeapriorityofourvoxandaugurarrays.’‘Ourhardlinesarebeingtargeted,alongwithourenergynetwork.Wehavepoweroutagesineveryareaexcept the upper levels of the redoubt and the librarius,’ said Quaeston, forge master of the BloodDrinkers.‘Theyaredeliberatelycripplingourcommunications.’‘Sosoonweshallbedeafandblind,’saidDanteangrily.TherepresentationoftheArxglowedsolidly,challengingDantetofindasolution.Hecouldseenone.AllbuttheupperlevelsoftheArxMurusandtheredoubtitselfwascontestedoroverrun.Thegalleriesonthemountainsidewerelost.Ahandfulofbastionsheldout.Theywereisolatedislandsinanoceanofxenoforms,thoughtheirgunskeptfiringfornow.Dantehadnotlookedoutsidethefortressmonasterytoseewhatawaitedtheminthedesert.‘The redoubt is our last refuge,’ said Dante. At his words, Adanicio highlighted the HeavenwardRedoubt. The castle keep of the Arx was a tall drum built into the murus, topped by the CitadelReclusiam.‘Therehavebeennoincursionswithinthewallshere,unlesstherearemorebadtidingsIam

unawareof.’‘Theredoubtremainsinviolate,’saidAdanicio.‘Fornow.’‘Thenwemustwithdrawagain,’ saidSendroth. ‘Bringall ourwarriors into thekeep.Our forces arebeing isolated and cut off. We will be shattered, and eliminated piecemeal. Concentrated within thecitadel,wemayholdoutformonthsifneedbe.’‘Untilhelparrives,’saidSendroth.‘Ifhelparrives,’saidCaptainBorgioleadenly.ThemasterofrecruitshadseenmostoftheBloodAngelsscoutsdieoverthelastweek.‘Whatisthesituationbeyondthewalls?’askedDante.‘Skyfallhasbeenlost,’saidAdanicio.‘CaptainZedrenaelisdead,ofthatwearecertain.WehavelostcontactcompletelywithBaalPrimus.IntermittentcontactfromBaalSecundussuggestsAngel’sFallstillstands,asdoestheastropathicrelayundertheCarmineBlades.Elementsofthefleetcontinuetoharrytheswarminthevoid,buttheircombateffectivenesshasnowhitthesteeperslopeofdecline,andwillsoondwindletonothing.Mephistonhasnotbeenheardfrom.Wefearheisalsodead.’‘Allisnotlost.Withtherelayintact,wecanyetsummonhelp,’saidMalphas.TheChapterMasteroftheExsanguinatorswasbarelyholdingthethirstincheck.Thewhitesofhiseyeswereasredashisarmour.‘Ifthereisanyhelptocome,’saidCaptainEssusoftheBloodSwords.‘Wecannotrelyonhelp.Wemustlooktoourown,’saidDante.‘Thereispreciouslittleonourworldsfor the tyranids toharvest.Theywill runoutofmonsters to throwatuseventually.Allwemustdo ispersist.Wehavethecitadel.Thereremainseveralthousandofus.Wehavealreadyslaughteredmillionsofthem.BytheBlood,weshallendure.’‘BytheBlood,weshallendure,’repeatedtheothers.‘Give the order to fall back to the citadel now,’ Dante commanded. ‘All warriors are to salvagewhatevertheycanandbringitbackwiththem.Wehavelosttoomanyofoursuppliesalready.Whateveroccurs,thiswillbealongsiege.’TheservitorsandthrallsfinishedwithDante’sarmourandwithdrew.‘Now,Adanicio,today’scasualties.’Adanicio began the solemn listing of the dead, as he had every day since the invasion began.As hespoke,OrdamaelandhisChaplainbrethrenchantedprayersforthesoulsofthelost.The list was lengthy. Dante struggled to listen. Light-headedness robbed him of concentration. Heswayed on his feet. Adanicio’s voice faltered and stopped. Pressure built behind Dante’s eyes. Anunnaturalsilencefellonthestrategium.Hefeltasifhecouldnotbreathe,thattheweightinhisheadwassinkingintohisthroatandcompressinghislungs.Foramomenthethoughthealonewasafflicted,butitwasnotso.‘Whatnewevilofthetyranidsisthis?’gaspedMalphas.‘Thisisnotthetyranids,’saidEssus.Allatonce,thestrategiumservitorsbegantomoanandjabberinmyriadtongues.Somethingevilsweptthroughthegathering,causingmentofallintoconvulsionsandSpaceMarinestodroptotheirkneeswithgrunts of unaccustomed pain. The few psykers present in the strategium,mortal andAdeptusAstartesalike, screamed in agony.Thunderclaps soundedoutside themonastery, and theArx shook.Sparks fellfromtheceiling.Machinesgaveoutwithburstsoffire.Theworldvibrated.Adreadfulshriekpenetratedfromoutside,goingonandon.Dantestaggeredacrossaheavingfloor,thoughifitmovedorifitwereaproductofhismindhecouldnotsay.‘Open the shutters!’ he commanded. He grabbed at chairs, statues, railings, anything to keep himself

uprightastheworldconvulsedunderhim.Hestaggeredthroughthewidestrategiumtothefarwallwhere,inmorepeacefultimes,hugewindowslookedoutoverthedunesofBaal.‘Mylord,thetyranids–’beganAdanicio.Danteroundedonhim,hisfurypotentenoughtomatchtheoutragedepictedonSanguinius’goldenface.‘Doit.Now!’TheArxswayedimpossibly;nothingshortofexterminatusbycyclonictorpedohadtheforcetorockamountainlikethat,andyettheywerestillalive.Thiswasnotaphysicalphenomenon.Thejabberingoftheservitorsgrewlouder.Theawfulshriekcompetedwithitinvolume.Adaniciopulledawaycoweringserfsfromthedeskthatoperatedtheshuttersandoverrodetheservitorsresponsiblefortheiroperation.Abassrumblingcutintotheinfernalhowling.Massiveslabsofrockfiftyyardsthickslippedawayfromthewindows,allowingdaylightintothestrategium.Dante wove unsteadily to the glass. For the first time in centuries, he felt nauseous, sickened to thedepthsofhissoulbywhateverwasunfoldingoutside.Heslammedintothearmourglass,armouredfingersscrapingonitashestruggledtoremainupright.Therockshutterswithdrew,leavingDantestaringoutofadeepslotontotheoutsideworld.Theskywasonfire.Lightningstabbeddowninafrenzyfromchurningclouds.Tyranidfeedingtubesbrokeandfell.Aviolentwindsweptacrosstheland.Uncleanenergiesspreadthroughthesky,engulfingshipsinwrithingwreathsofhellishlight.Theyburstandfell,burningwithgreenflame.Realityquiveredlikeastruckgong.AllacrossthedesertsofBaal,thetyranidsstopped,andturnedasonetofacetheheavens,theirmouthsopenaswideastheywouldgo.Theawfulshriekcamefromabillionalienthroats.Thehivemindwasscreaming.

Baalenduredacataclysmunfoldingacrosstheentiregalaxy.DarknesscametoBaalasashockofpurplefire.Thethreeworldswereengulfedinahazeofboilingenergythatfirstswallowedthestarsthenobscuredeachofthetriofromtheother.OnBaalSecundus,theastropaths of theBloodAngels, sheltered behind the ceramitewall of CarmineBlades, cried out andperished, leavingonlyahandfulalive toexperience the fullhorrorof thewarpunleashed.Deep in theRuberica,Mephiston’scovenofpsykersreeled.Navigatorsaboardtheembattledshipswereblindedbysoulfire.LibrariansfightingintheArxdroppedconvulsingtotheground,theirteethshatteringundertheforceoftheirspasms.Everymind felt the touch of thewarp,whether great or small.Being blessedwith a portion of theirfather’s psychicmight, the scions of Sanguiniuswere all troubled.Guns dropped fromnumbhands asvisions ofwars lost long ago filled theirminds, and the rage stirred in the breasts of every one. TheTowerofAmareoresoundedtofrenziedcallsforbloodandflesh.ButthesonsoftheGreatAngelwerelessafflictedthantheirfoe.Screamingwarpfirecrashedagainstthegestaltsoulofthetyranids,catchingitunawares.Thedelicatesynapticwebthatbounditsnumberlessmindsintoonebeingshrivelledlikethreadinafire.Neverbeforehad the hivemind been so grievously wounded. Its control over its trillions of bodies was violentlydisrupted.Hivefleetwascleavedfromhivefleet,broodfrombroodsocatastrophicallythatforamomentthehivemindceasedtobe.Itrecoveredquickly,diminishedbutalive,butthatmomentseemedtothehivemind an eternity of darkness.Trillions of its creatures permanently lost touchwith the hivemind, andwerereducedtounthinkinganimals.

Forthefirsttimeinitsexistence,thehivemindtasteddeath.IntheBaalsystemhundredsofthousandsoftyranidsdied,theirbrainstemsreducedtosmokingmulchbypsychic feedback. Aggressive void predators became drifting hulks in the space of an instant. In thestrategiumDantecollapsed,unconscious.ThousandsofSpaceMarinesoftheBloodfollowedhim.Manyawokewithnomemoryofwhotheywere,theirscarredmindsfullofvisionsofSanguinius’death.Theendoftheirownlivesinmadnessandbloodbeckoned.TheCicatrixMaledictumhadopened.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVEAMESSAGE

Master Jerron Leeter glanced behind him before placing his hand upon the activation pad for theastropathicumportal.Hefearedthesightofhisprotectors.Notfortheirsavagery,butbecausetheywouldtrytostophim.‘Ihavebeendownhereplentyoftimessincetherift,’hesaidnervouslytohimself.‘Ihaveeveryrighttobehere.TheCarmineBladeswillnotremarkonmegoingtomystation.’Thedooropenedsilently.Chilledairblewoutward.Ontheothersideofthethresholdwasadeepquiet;astropathsworkedbetterwithoutdistraction.JerronLeeterglancedaroundaroomhehadsharedwithhisfellowsforacentury,butwhichtheyhadneverseen.Thenumbersofastropathswhoretainedthefacultyofvisionwassomicroscopicallysmallnobodybotheredtorecordit,sofarasheknew.HeregardeditasagiftfromtheEmperor.Beingabletoseedidnotseemlikemuchofablessingrightthen.Hiscolleagues remained in thesendingcradleswhere theyhaddied.TheCarmineBladesweregoodprotectors,butunsentimental.Itwasdebatablewhichwasworst;thesmellofrefrigeratedmeatgoingbadin the frigid room, or the twisted looks of horror on their sunken faces.AstropathMinorisDaneel inparticularlookedhorrifying.Hehadscreamedsoloudhisjawhaddislocated.Leeterfeltguilty.Itwashethathadinsistedthattheastropathsbeondutypermanently,despitethepaininflicted on themby the tyranids’ presence, in case amessage got through.He had hooked themup tostimm-lacednutrientfeedssotheycouldworkwithoutresttopiercetheshadowinthewarp.Forthistaskthey hadworked in unity,minds blended. Leeter’s little choirwas therefore as vulnerable as it couldpossiblybewhen theriftopenedandrealityscreamed.Hehadbeenwith them.Hehadfelt theirsoulsrippedfromtheirbodies.Hehadsensedtheirtotalextinction.Guiltwasaweakness.Atleast,sothepriestssaid.Theywouldsaythattheastropathsdieddoingtheirdutyaswasexpected. It felt likehiscrimeanyway.Nomatterhowhe turned theproblemabout inhishead,hecouldseenowaytopreventwhathadhappened.Itdidn’thelp.Hemovedcarefully,soasnottodisturbHordenGennot,theonlyotherlivingsoulintheastropathicum.Itwasimpossibleofcourse;Gennot’searswereassharpasabloodeagle’s,buthehadtotry.

‘Master?’Gennotspoke inawhisper.Of thesevenastropaths in the relay,Leeter,GennotandAnamaTukhadsurvivedtheopeningoftheGreatRift.AnamaTukwasdriveninsane,andLeeterhadstrangledher three days after the skies began to bleed, fearful that her untetheredmindmight pave theway fordaemonicintrusion.Gennot had fared better. He at least lived, and was sane, though the shock of the warp storm hadwoundedsomefundamentalpartofhisbody,andhewastooweaktoberemovedfromhiscradle.Leeteralonehadcomethroughunscathed.Relatively.Hismind’seyeharbouredpainfulafter-imagesthatnibbledathissanity.Bitsofhissoulweresore,otherswerefragile,somefeltliketheywerenolongerhis,buthadcomefromsomewhereelse.Ifheweretruthful,hedidnotthinkhecouldtrusthimselfcompletelyanymore.He ignoredGennot, going to his sending cradle to prepare it for hiswork.He set up sensor pads hewouldpressagainsthisshavenhead,hecleanedtheneuralshuntsandfeedingtubesthatpluggedintothesocketsinhisarms.‘Master?Whatareyoudoing?’saidGennot.‘Ihavecometotidyalittle,’Leeterlied.‘Mystrengthhasreturned.Mycradleisamess,anditistimetoremovethesebodies.Ithoughtthissmallworkwasagoodplacetostart.Itwillcalmmyspirit.’Gennot cockedhishead.The spare lightof the astropathicumcaughton themetalorbs fillinghis eyesockets–richlyworkedgiftsofgoldfromtheBloodAngels.‘Thenwhyareyoualone?Whereareyourattendants?’Leetercontinuedworking.‘Sleeping,’helied.‘Yourtonebetraysyou,AstropathPrime,’saidGennot.Hisinjuriesmadehimbold.Beforetherift,hewouldneverhavespokentoLeeterthatway.Leetersupposedhehadnothingtolosenow.‘Youaregoingtoattempttopenetratetheveil.’Leetersuckedairthroughhisteeth.Hepausedinhispreparations.Assoonasheflickedthetogglestobringthepsy-amplifiersonline,thegamewouldbeup.Herealisedthenhewaslyingforhisownbenefit,puttingoffthetruthofwhathewastoattempt,nottospareGennot,butbecausehewasterrified.‘Youareasperceptiveasever,’hesaid,bowinghishead.‘Iamgoingto.Ihavetotry.Canyoufeelit?Theshadowinthewarphasliftedforawhile.Thisisourchancetocallforhelp.’‘Iheardtheenemyscream,’saidGennotwithashudder.‘Ineverwanttohearanythinglikethatagain.’‘Well,’saidLeeter.Hesighed,andwasaghastatthetrembleoffearthatshookhim.‘Thehivemindiswounded,butIfeelitcoalescingintheimmaterium.Ifwearegoingtocallforaid,itmustbedonenow.’‘Therisksofasendingduringawarpstormareastronomical,’saidGennotwearily.‘Therehasnotbeenastormofthismagnitudeever,asfarasIknow.Youwilldie.Youmaykillusallintheprocess.’‘Iamawareoftherisks.’Leeterlaughedalittlehysterically.‘Whatwasmerelyimpossiblebeforehasbecomeincrediblydangerousinstead.’Hepunchedupthepsy-amplifiers.Thedullvoiceofthemachine’sspirit reported its readiness. The whine of machines built, passing beyond hearing into a realm onlypsykers likeLeeterandGennotcouldsense.Servantsusuallydidall this.His fellowastropathswouldfinditimpossible.BeingabletoobservetheirservantsatworkgaveLeeteramuchbroaderunderstandingofhowtheastropathicumfunctionedthanmostastropathspossessed.He checked over the machinery. It was working at optimal capacity. Thank the Emperor the relay’sgeothermalplantwasstillonline.Beforeheclimbedintohisowncouch,heactivatedthepsy-dampersonGennot’sstation.TherewasnoneedtosubjectGennottowhatLeeterwouldexperience.‘MasterLeeter,don’tdothat.Ishouldhelpyou.’Gennotmanagedtostruggleupontohiselbow.‘Youareimproving,’saidLeeter.Hepluggedthevariousshuntsandspikesintohisinterfaceportswith

unhurriedefficiency.‘Iamglad.’Hislimbstingledwiththeurgetorush,togetitoveranddonewith.Hemadehimselftakehistime.‘Butyouarestillweak.’‘Icanhelp.Deactivatethedamper.Letmeboostyoursending.’‘No,’saidLeeter.Hepushedthelastspikehomeintothesocketat thebaseofhisskull.AllthisextramachinerywasnecessarytoovercomethebalefulinfluenceoftheRedScar.Ithadalwaysbeenoneroustouse;nowhehopedtherelay’sboosterarraywouldincreasehischancesofgettingamessageout.Togetamessageout.Nottosurvive.Hedidnotexpecttolivethroughthenexttenminutes.‘TheBloodAngelswillneedat leastonelivingastropath,’hesaid,ascalmlyashecould.‘Goodbye,Gennot.’Heflickedonthenullsoundfield,shuttingoutGennot’svoice,andeasedhimselfintothesendingtrance.Leeterwasskilled.Unrealityopenedgladlytohim.Hellawaitedhim.Thewarphadgonefromunnaturalcalmundertheinfluenceoftheshadowtoaragingtempest.Thehivemindskulked,wounded,attheedgeofhisperception,theshadowitcastinthewarpblasted into raggednessbyaboilingseetheofsoul-killingenergy.Whirlingeddiesdraggedathissoul.ThingsproddedattheskinofpuritytheEmperor’sprotectionaffordedhim.Itwasraretoseethetruthofthewarpsoclearly,thethingsthatlivedinit,thehorroritheld–soraremostastropathsbelowLeeter’sgradecouldsafelybekeptinignoranceofthewarp’struenature.Butheknew.Lookingatthestateoftheimmaterium,hedoubtedthatthenatureofthewarpwouldremainsecretforlong.Itwouldbeimpossibletoconcealanylonger.Ithurt tobeinthere.Agonythathecouldnotdescribeinhumantermspulledathim,teasingapart thefibresofhisbeing.A roaring redpillarof ragebattered at him, spatially close, he thought, though thegeography of the immaterium made location and distance in the material realm impossible to judgeaccurately.Therewasnocoherencytoanything,allwasinflux,and,mosttroublingofall,thebrilliant,soul-searinglightoftheAstronomicanwasnowheretobeseen.HasTerrafallen?hewondered,hisfeargrowing.IstheEmperordead?Themessagehehadcarefullyformulatedwouldnottakeshapeinhismind.Hecouldnotsenditforth.Everyattempt tomake solid themetaphorsheheld inhis imagination failed.Hisvisualisationsmeltedbeforetheywereborn,orwentbad,becomingabominationsthatmockedhimbeforedissolvingintotheseaofsouls.Ifhecouldnot send, thenhemust receive.Hisheart sank.Thiswas it.Exposinghismind to receivemessageswouldkillhim.MasterLeeterhadneverneglectedhisduty.Withabriefprayer to theEmperor, JerronLeeteropenedhismind to the immaterium.Heonlyhopedtherewassomethingtohear.Evilvoicesscreamedout theirhungerforhumansouls.Deathscreamsofworldsrippledthefabricofreality.Thecriesofthedamnedhauntedbreathlesswinds.Thingscaughtsightofthecandleofhissoul,andswamtowardshim.The fragmentsof amillion frantic sendings skatedoverhisperception,blasted into incomprehensiblepieces by the warp storm and the wild temporal disruption it engendered, so that only the fear thatpropelledthemwasapparent.Somethingwascomingforhim.Hefeltitfollowthetrailofhisbeinginthewarp,sniffingathisessence.Hedidnothavelong.Heconcentratedharder.Therewasapurerpresencemovingoutthere,aholypresence,perhapsafocusedmajorchoirofhisownkind.Thethingwasnearing.Heshouldpullout,buthehadtosee.

Therewasalight,lesserthantheAstronomican,butofthesamepurity,singingthesamemessageoverandoveragain.Withgrowingwonder,Jerronprocessedthemessage,decodingin-warpashereceivedit.Relieffloodedhim,andjoy.Hesentasimplereply,blastedfromhisbeingwithalltheforceofhissoul,asimplecomposition,twowordsignsandthebadgeoftheChapter,infusedwithgreaturgency.+SaveBaal.+Andthenthethinghadhim.

HajjinhadbeenfifthsergeantoftheSecondCompanyoftheCarmineBladesforalongtime.Amonghispeershewasawarriorofrenown.Hehadskinnedhisfirstmanlongbefore theDeathGames.HehadfoughtonHaldrothathisfather’ssideagainstmenandbeastsbothbeforethecomingoftheAngelsandhisascension to their heaven. Once his body had been changed and his loyalties switched from tribe toEmperor,hehadprovedhimselfadozentimesover.WhenfinallyhiscarapacehadbeenawardedintheFlayingRite,hehadnotcriedoutatthepriest’sknife,andthereafterhehaddemonstratedhisworthinesstowearthewarsuitwithindays.He had lived four hundred years. He had known the Carmine Blades by the name of the Swords ofHaldroth. He had been there the day the Redeemer of the Lost had come and changed their Chapterforevermore, and that earned him asmuch awe asmistrust.Hajjin’s skillwith a bladewas second tonone;hisbrotherslookeduptohim,hiscommandersrespectedhim,hisenemiesfearedhim.YethehadneverexpectedtobecomeChapterMaster.Nowhewas.Itwasanofficewithashorttenure.Therewereonehundredandfifty-sevenCarmineBladesleftaliveuponBaalSecundus.EighthundredofthemhadcometoanswerthecallofCommanderDante.TherehadbeenmuchdebatingintheHouseofLongBonesastowhethertoansweratall.Hajjinhadsaidno,statingtheirloyaltiestotheBloodAngelswere too new, but hiswas a belligerentChapter.Young blood outnumbered old blood, and the youngblooddidnotrememberthetimebefore.Voteshadbeencastinfavourofintervention.FirstbloodKaan,theirMaster,hadbeenboundbythewillofhisbrothers.NearlyalloftheCarmineBladeshadcometoBaal.AndnowHajjinwasFirstblood,firstamongequals,butlordnonetheless.Hiswasasmallkingdomthatgrewsmallereveryday.‘I apologise, bringerofdreams,’he said, giving theoldname, theone theyhadusedbefore theyhadknownitwasSanguiniuswhobroughtthemtheirvisions,andnotthewildgodsofHaldroth,‘thatIdonotfeelthehonourinmyofficethatIshould.’Hefinishedhisprayer,andreturnedtohisvigilovertheblastedland.TheastropathicrelayoftheBloodAngelshiditselfatthetopoftheworld.BaalSecundushadnoaxialtilt, itsseasonsinsteaddrivenbythecomplicatedseriesofeclipsesimposeduponitbyitsbrotherandsister.Atthepole,wheretherelaywaslocated,neitherdaynornightruled.Aperpetualgloaminghadtheregionunderitsspell.Thiswasthekingdomofshadows.Themountainstherelayoccupiedweresmallinheightandextent,ageologicalafterthoughtofcrackedbrownrock.Aridboulderfieldsspreadaroundthemountain’sfeet.Dirtyicestreakedwithsandskulkedin the lee of large outcrops so the wind could not strip it away. It was a rough land grown recentlyrougher, fornew,angularshapeshadjoinedtheerodedstones: thecorpsesofhundredsof thousandsoftyranids.

Forty-nine times the tyranids had thrown themselves at the astropathic relay. Forty-nine times theCarmineBladeshadrepelledthem.Thebaseofitswallswerechokedwiththedead.Theroughcampofrefugeemortalswhohadcomebeggingforshelterwasapoundedareaoffabrictattersandmetalscraptotheeast.Spentammunitioncasingswereheapedhigharoundtherelay’sautocannonturrets.Each assault had cost the Carmine Blades more of their brothers. Their ammunition dwindled, theirofficers were felled, their heroes slaughtered. The Carmine Blades did not falter in their duty. Theyunderstoodthesky-talkersmustlive.Forty-ninetimes.Untilthevoidhadopenedup,exposingitsguts,andthecreatureshadstoppedcoming.Hajjinwatched.Therewasnomovementontheground.Therehadbeennoneformanydays.‘Firstblood.’SergeantKonokosalutedhisleader,rightfistclangingonhisleftshoulder.‘Allisquietinthesouth.Thechimneysnolongerbelchtheirsmoke.Iseenoshipsinthevoid.’‘Youseenovoid,’correctedHajjin.Hejerkedhishelm’smuzzleupattheflatmauvesky,whereribbonsofgoldmovedinpainfulwhorls.‘Isitoverthen,Firstblood?’‘No,’saidHajjin.‘Itisnotover.Somethinghaschanged.’‘Heja,’ saidKonoko. ‘You speak truthfully.When they attacked, they did sowithout sense.Have theBloodAngelswon,doyouthink?Isthisflatnessintheskytheirdoing?’‘They are strange but they are not sorcerers. Anyway, how could they have won? Could they trulyaccomplishthat?’saidHajjin.‘No.Theskyisnotthesky.Itisawindowontothespiritlands.ThechangeintheskybrokethemindoftheDevourer.Warpcraft.Asorcerer’swork.’HajjinwouldhaveaskedhisLibrarians,theymighthaveknown,ortheTechmarines,theyhadknowledgenoothersdid,learnedontheplanetofthemachinepriests,buttheywerealldead.‘Thatisnottheendofsomething.Itisabeginning.Abadone.’‘Fornowwelive,bytheAngel’swill,’saidKonoko.Theymadefists,andbashedtheirwriststogether.‘BytheAngel’swill.’‘Thenyourorders,Firstblood.’Konokobowed.Theywerelodge-brothers,followersofthesametotem.Konokoandhehadjestedwitheachotheragreatdeal,untilyesterday.Therewasnofriendlymockeryinhisbow.Konokohadonlyrespectforhim.Hajjinfeltapangofregretthatitshouldbeso.‘Havethemenrestandrepairtheirwargearasbesttheycan.Gotothevoxstationandseeifyoucanraiseanyone.’‘WehaveheardnothingfromtheotherChaptersonthisworld,’saidKonoko.‘Itryeverythirdhour.’‘Itdoesnotfollowtheyarealldead,’saidHajjin.‘Findout.Andbringmethesky-talker,itistimetheyattemptedtheirprayersagain.’‘Ineednot.’Konokopointeddowntherampart.‘Heiscomingtoyou.’Hajjinturnedround.MasterLeeterwasindeedwalkingtowardsthem.Hewasailing.Hestaggered,hisleftshoulderhunchedhigh.‘Somethingiswrong,’saidHajjin.HepushedpastKonoko.Hisbootscrunchedonchunksofthetyraniddead.‘Nggn,’saidLeeter.HeheldoutaclawedhandtowardsHajjin.‘He…Heis…’Hiseyeswerealightwithunnaturalfire,andhisarmssquirmedbonelessly.‘Tyranidevil,’saidKonoko.Heraisedhisbolter.Hajjinputoutahandtostophimfiring.‘Heiswitch-touched.’Heglancedatthesky.‘Didyoumakeaprayer,astropath?’Leeternodded.Hefellforward.Hajjincaughthim.Theastropath’sfacewascrawling,reshapingitself.‘Heisafool,’saidKonoko.‘Somethingistryingtogetoutthoughhisflesh.Weshouldkillhimnow.’

‘Wait!’commandedHajjin.‘Wasthereananswer?’Leeter nodded again. ‘He is…’ He swallowed hard. His jaws clicked. His eyes were swimming,changingcolour.‘Heiscoming!’hesaid.‘Whoiscoming,oldman?’saidHajjin,thoughhewasatleastthreecenturiesolderthanthecreatureheheldinhisarms.Veinspulsedhardintheman’sneck.Hajjinstruggledtoconcentrateonhiswords.Thehumanfrothedathismouth,whitefoamspilledfrombetweenhislips.‘G-G-G-G–’hesaid.Hisbackarched,his teethclampedtogether.Amonstrousgrowl issuedfromhisthroat.Hisfleshwrithedunderhisrobes.‘Firstblood!’saidKonoko.Hebackedup,gunraised.‘Emperor save you,’ Hajjin said. He slipped his knife from its scabbard into Leeter’s throat. Bloodpouredfromhisneck.Hajjin’smouthwatered.‘Donot!’warnedKonoko.‘Itisunclean.’‘Iwasnotgoingto.’HajjinloweredLeeter’scorpsetotheground.‘Fromrespect.’HelookedatLeeterthoughtfully.‘Thereisnomoredangerhere.’‘Whoiscoming?’askedKonoko.Hemovedforward,gunstillup,andproddedLeeter’sbodywithhisfoot.Hajjinlookedtothesky.‘Whoindeed?’

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIXTHEPENITENT’SDUE

Ka’Bandhafellthroughthehiddenspacesbetweenworlds.Theoccultedgearsofcreationrushedbyhim.In themachineriesofbeingwere the inner secretsof theuniversedisplayed tohim.ThedaemonkinofTzeentchwouldhavedamnedadozeneternitiesforaglimpseofwhathesaw,butKa’Bandhadidnotcarefor knowledge. The things on display were valueless to him, and the wonders of infinity whirled byunappreciated.Ka’Bandha fell forever and for no time at all, until awave of change rippled out through themulti-dimensionalspaceheinfected,upsettingthedelicateworkingsofinfinite,interleaveduniverses.Ka’Bandhahowledintriumph.Thepromisedstormhadbeenunleashed.FarfromBaal,atCadia,AbaddontheDespoilerachievedgoalshehadpursuedsincetheHorusHeresy.Reality split as faultlines closed millions of years ago were rent wide. Isolated warpstorms andanomaliesspreadtheirarms,reachingfortheburningmightofthewarp.TheEyeofTerrorvomiteditsdiabolicalenergiesacrossthefirmament.Theragingstormitunleasheddevouredtensofthousandsofstarsystems.Millionsofworldswereconsumed.RacesthathadneverknownthewrathofmanorthetaintofChaoswere expunged in an instant. Imperial worlds fell by the score.Many thousands not destroyedoutrightwereplaguedbyhordesofdaemons,theirpsykers’mindsrippedopentoallowthefellbeingsoftheempyreantowalkamongmortalpopulations.AwarpstormofasizenotseensincetheEmperortookto theGolden Throne raged across the breadth of the galaxy. A billowingwave ofmadness engulfedspace,travellingfarfasterthantimeanddistanceshouldhaveallowed.IntheempyreantheAstronomicanflickeredanddied.Rainsofbloodfellon terrifiedpeopleonworlds thousandsof lightyears fromtheCadianGate.All creation rocked. In the no-spaces between realities, the rift was felt. In places far distant to therealityofman,strangebeingsdreamedoffireandblood.OldNight,asourceofhazymythandfeartothepeoplesofthe41stmillennium,wasreborn.Ka’Bandharoaredjoyouslyatitsreturn.Thedaemonrecoveredfromhisendlessfall,beathiswings,andflewforaweaknessinthefabricofallthings. A single swipe of his axe split space-time, exploiting a faultline opened by the Cicatrix

Maledictum.Ka’BandhaemergedintothematerialuniversehighoverBaalPrimusastheriftsplittheskyandtheroilingenergiesofChaosspreadlikeaslickofburningpromethiumovertheimperturbabledepthsofspace.TheredworldofBaalwasbeforehim.Hispromisedprizewassoclose,andyethecouldnotreachit.ThestormwasyettoengulfBaal.WithoutitsvitalisingpowertosustainKa’Bandhathevoidenforceditsironlawsofcauseandeffectuponhisbody.Hisunrealbeingthrilledwithelectricagoniesasthelawsofphysicssought todenyhisexistence.Mephistoncouldnotpreventhisentry to theworldofdustandflesh,buthehaddamagedKa’Bandha’s formin theattempt.Theenergies thatmadehiscorpushadnotknittedcorrectly.Hehadalimitedamountoftimetoexistinmundanereality.GrippedbyhatefortheChiefLibrarian,hereachedaclawedhandforBaal,howlingsoundlessly,foritlay frustratingly beyond his grasp and no exertion of will would bring it nearer. The storm wasmaddeninglyclose.Bathedinitsenergy,hemightforceapathtoBaal.Itwasnottobe.AsthewavefrontoftheCicatrixMaledictumrushedtoengulftheRedScar,Ka’Bandhawasalreadyfalling.Thevoidcouldnotkillhim,butnordiditcaretobenditsrulestosuithiswhim.Giantwingsthrashinghelplesslyatairlessspace,Ka’BandhafellwithincreasingspeeddownthegravitywellofBaalPrimus.The spacebetween the threeworldswasagloriousbattleground.Ka’Bandhagreatlyapprovedof theslaughterhewitnessed.Shatteredtyranidshipsfilledthevacuumwithspilledfluids.SpaceMarinecraftburnedintheirownventingatmospheres.HerewerebloodandskullsaplentyforLordKhorne.AsKa’BandhafellclosertoBaalPrimus’chillysurface,theGreatRiftboiledin-system.Aninvisiblepsychicshockwaveranbeforeit,disruptingthebattleasitslammedintothemonumentalsoulofthehivemind.Ka’Bandhalaughedtohearthebio-shipsscreamingastheirpsychicwebwasshattered.Heeyedthemcovetously.Suchgiantskullstheshipspossessed,allworthyofferingsfortheLordofBlood.Theywere,asyet,outofreach.Asthebalefullightofthewarprubbedoutthestars,realitybecamemoreamenable to Ka’Bandha’s being, but still he could not fly. He was sucked down through a ragingmaelstromofcombat that turnedstillas theriftopened.SpaceMarineshipsfiringonlivingcraftweresuddenlysilenced.Huge, slug-likehiveshipsconvulsed,pulping their internal structures.Krakenshipsdrivenmadtoreouttheirowneyeswiththrashingtentacles.Bioplasmicdriveswinkedout.Hunter-killersturnedoneachotherinafrenzyofbloodletting.Theagonyofthehivemindwasanexquisitepleasuretothedaemon;battling itwouldhavebeen finer.Bothwar andpainweredeniedhimas themonumentalintellectdrivingthehivefleetshatteredandwentdark.Ka’Bandhafellunnoticed,hishugeformaspeckamidthegiantshipsofthewarringfleets.Heragedatboth sides as he plummeted, furious he could attack neither. Tyranid craft wallowed helplessly as herushedby,ignorantofhimwhilethehivemindunderwentitssmalldeath.Baalwasdeniedtohim.Thewarinthevoidwasnothistofight.Raging,heturnedhisattentionupontheonrushingmoon.Furyturnedtoamusementashespiedthebattleuponthesurface.Trailing the fires of atmospheric re-entry, Ka’Bandha rushed towards the ground, a furious cometheraldingtheopeningoftheGreatRiftandthebeginningoftheNoctisAeterna.

‘Thunderhawks are en route to your position and will extract you within twenty minutes, ChapterMaster.’Sethfoughtwithredoubledfury.HismenandtheKnightsofBloodwarredsidebyside.Arrangingtheevacuationhadtakentoolong.FightingfreeoftheswarmaroundBaalandsailingforBaalSecundushadtakentheVictusseveralhours.Precioustimebledawaywiththebloodofhismen.He and Jool held out in the fortress ofWrathful Vigilance. On the metallic mountain spur opposite,FuriousSentinelburned.

The tyranids scaled theNecklace,numerousas theextinct antsof ancientEarth.Theypoured into thecavitiesofthedownedorbitals.Thegroundalreadyvibratedtothedrummingofamillionalienhoovespoundingthroughthepassages.Nothingwasleft.OnlytyranidsandSethremained.Thegiantfilamentsoffeedingtubesroseuptotheskyallaroundtheirposition.Theswarmsattackingthemwerereinforcedbyothersdivertedfrombattleswon.Therewassuchordertotheirarmies.Theymarchedinperfectpatterns.Likeavortexdescribedbygrainsofsand,theycircledaroundthelastfortressofBaalPrimus,queuesofxenoswaitingpatientlytodiestretchedfromthehorizontothefort.Thebiggunsweresilent.Theirarmourwasalllost.AhandfulofDreadnoughtsfoughtalongsideafewhundred SpaceMarines.Makeshiftwalls of salvaged ancient scrap collapsed under theweight of thealien dead. ’Gaunts, genestealers andwarriors poured throughmultiple breaches. The hivemind heldbackitslargercreaturesinashowofbiologicalparsimony.Sethwouldhaveseencontemptinthemovewereitanyotherspecies,butbehinditwasmerelysimple,bruteeconomics.Thelargerstrainscostmoreinresourcesandtimetogrow.Thesmallerbeastswoulddothejobjustaswell.IfthehivemindthoughttheFleshTearerswerefinished,GabrielSethwouldshowitotherwise.‘Fall back to the tower,’ he voxed.He dodged a swooping shrike, gunning it down as it flapped itsleatherywingsandroseupandaway.Hewieldedhisevisceratorone-handed,spinningtheheavyweaponaroundwithpractisedexpertise.Witheverypassthelimbsoftyranidsfellbleeding.Hedidnotlingertofinishthosehemaimed,butpressedonwardtothecentrepointofthefortressfromwherehisremainingwarriorswouldbeevacuated.Thefortswereconstructedaroundancientbastionsofthefallenorbital.HisTechmarineshadfoundthetwovirtuallyintactunderlayersofaccretedsoilanddebris.Patchedup,surroundedbyaperimeterwall,theyhadperformedwellasstrongpointsuntilnow.Sethbarrelledthroughaknotof’gaunts,slashingandshootingadozentodeathashetoreuptheinclinedrampleadingtothefort.‘Followme!BytheBlood,followme!ToBaal!ToBaal!Allhereislost!’heroared.Ashewent,hismenabandonedtheirpositionstofallinbehindhim,firingastheyran.Heleftthelastmortals to their fateon thewalls.Somefled.Someremainedandbravelymanned theguns,others ran,screaming.Nobodywouldremembereithertheirbraveryortheircowardice.MajorbreachespepperedthewallsbehindSeth,morebeingforcedastheyran.Thetenyardsbetweenwallandbastionwasfillingwithalienwarbeasts.Gunsrandry,hundredsofcreatureswereblastedtopieces.Thereweresomanyofthem,Sethcouldhavedroppedalancestrikeonthesiteandwatchedthecraterfillinsecondswithalienmonsterstoreplacethedead.Someofhismendidnotfollowinhiswake.Thethirstwasonthemall,drivingtheminsane.OnlythosearoundSethandthesacredreliquarykepttheirminds.ToomanyofthemplungedheadlongintotheBlackRage.Theyremainedwheretheywere,abandoningtheirweaponstobattercreaturestodeathwiththeirfists.A Flesh Tearer’s Black Ragewas terrible to behold,more savage and devastating than that of theirbrotherChapters,quickertorise,hardertofightoff.Sethlefthiswarriorstotheirfate.Theywoulddieastheyhadlived,inservicetotheEmperorofMankind.Thatwasenough.Biomunitionsscreamed through theair, in somecases literallyso, theirvestigialmouthsshriekingoutinconceivablepain.Something thesizeofaman’sheadexplodedon thebastion’swallclosebySeth’srunningband.Thrashingvinesspearedoutfromtheimpactsite,rippingtwoFleshTearersandaKnightofBloodofftheirfeetandshreddingthem,armourandall,uponwickedlysharpthorns.Thecentraltowerwasinsight.

‘Openthegate!’Sethvoxed.Thebastion’sarmouredairlockswerelonggone.Intheirplacewereroughbutsturdygatesmadefromscavengedplatesofplasteel.Theyswungbackonreinforcedhinges,primitiveasafeudalworld’scastleportal.AsecondgroupofFleshTearerscamerunningup thewalkwayfromtheothersideof thegatehouse.MergingwithSeth’sband,theyhurledthemselvesuptheramptowardsthegate.Heavy weapons opened fire from makeshift battlements, sweeping the gate ramp clear of pursuingbeasts.Seth andhiswarriors rushed through.He turned to lookback as theotherspoundedwithin thebastion. A handful of his men and Knights of Blood were still coming. Tyranids raced after them,engulfingthemassurelyasaracingavalancheswallowsabuilding.‘Closethegates,’heordered.‘Therearestillwarriorsoutside,mylord.’‘Thentheyarelost,’saidSeth.‘Closethegates.’

‘Extractioncraftinbound.Preparetodepart.Estimatedtimeofarrivaltenminutes.’Seth looked upward, searching without result for the bright shape of the Victus moving across themorningsky.Theatmospherewasclearingofaerialorganisms,buttheirswirlingflocksstillobscuredthehorizon.Thebastion’santi-aircraftweaponschuggedoutshotsinshortbursts.Sethhadorderedthemtoconservetheirammunition.Itappearedtheywouldnotneedit.A strongwind blew directly towards the capillary towers. The airwas thinning. The final stages ofconsumptionwereunderway.ThroughhisbattlefurySethstruggledtothink,buthecouldseeitwasonlyamatterofhoursbeforetheairbecametoothintosupportatmosphericflight.Fromthetopofthebastionhehadafineviewoftheendoftheworld.Awayfromhissmallislandofdefiance,consumptionvesselsjostledforspace.Thebrightjewelsofdigestionpoolswinkedatthebaseofhugebonetowers.Hisenhancedeyesallowedhimtoseebloatedeaterbeastsdraggingthemselvesintothemtobedissolvedandtheiressencessuckedupthetubestothewaitingfleet.Forseveralmilesaroundthe last fortress, the tyranid horde seethed.Beyond it, the landscape had become almost tidy, scrapedcleanofallusefulbiologicalandmineral resourcesby theswarm. Itappalledhimhowquickly itwasaccomplished.BaalPrimuswasbeingeatenalive.Apriorityvoxrequestimpingedonhisthinking.Sethacceptedit.‘Belthiel,’hesaid.‘Mylord,thereissomethinghappening,’saidtheLibrarian.Hewashavingdifficultyspeaking.‘Thereareripplesinthewarp,a…’Belthiel’swordsbecameapainedgrunt.‘Belthiel?Belthiel!’saidSeth.‘Thesky!’someoneshouted.Sethlookedheavenward.Aburningmeteorplummetedthroughthe thinningaerialswarm.Sethmistookit foraweaponofsomekind,foritdidnotfollowthecurveoftheworldasdebrisshould,butfellinastraightlineasiffired.Itslammedintothegroundwithadullcrump,sendingupamushroomcloudofdust.Hewouldhavethoughtnothingmoreofit,hadtheskynotchanged.‘The sky!The sky!’More SpaceMarineswere shouting, pointing upwards.A tremor ran through thetyranid horde. Its well-ordered patterns shifted, breaking apart for a second, reforming, then breakingdownagain.PressurebuiltbehindSeth’seyes;ametallictastefilledhismouth.SentorJoolcameontothebattlement,hisarmourfilthywithalienviscera.‘Whatishappening?’hesaid.Hegruntedhiswords,forcingthemoutthroughajawclampedtightwith

thethirst.‘Warpcraft,’Sethsaid.‘Icanfeelit.’Itwasmorethantheworkofawitch.Wherethemeteorhadpiercedtheswarmaredstainappeared,spreadingrapidly,untilthedomeoftheskywasadeepanduglyred.Abloodynightfellastherimofthehorizonwentfrompalepinktodeepred.Thetyranidswereindisarray.Thoseattackingthewallsstoppeddead,orfelldown,theirlimbscurledinward.Othersranbackandforthaimlesslyorattackedtheirbroodmates.Outontheplainstheorderedpatternoftheassaultbrokeintopieces.Thentheybegantoscream.SethandJoollookedonindisbeliefasconsumptionshipsfellfromtheirtethers,bringingdownsoaringcapillarytowers.Explosionsbloomedalongtheflanksofbio-shipsfullofvolatilegases.Lightningcrackledaroundtheholeinthesky.Itwarpedtheviewofspacearoundit,distortingallthingsasifviewedthroughtwistedlenses.Adeafening roarblasted across the landscape.Agiant figurehauled itself outof thepitmadeby themeteor’slanding.‘Daemon!’saidSeth.Jool growled, something in him responding to the Neverborn’s arrival. ‘How long until your craftarrive?’Sethcheckedhischronometer.‘Sixminutes.Iftheymakeit.’Thedaemonsmotetheearthwithitsaxe.Thegroundtrembledandsplit.Fromthewoundinthegroundathrustingcolumnof skullsburst, turningas itgrew.Realitywrithedaround thecolumn.Skulls fromalloverthebattlefieldweredrawntoit,burstingfromthedead,bouncingwetanddrippingacrossthedustplains.Atthebaseofthegrowingcolumntheyrolledimpossiblyupward,addingthemselvestothegirthofthetower.Rotatinglikeascrew,thetowerrosehigherandhigher,untilthepinnacletouchedtheholeinthesky.Thetipdisappearedwithintheunnaturalvoid,butthepillardidnotstop;itcontinuedtotwist,headingoutoftherealworldintosomeotherplace.A deafening peal of thunder blasted across the plains. Seth and Joolwere battered backwards by aninvisibleforce.WarriorsfrombothChaptersscreamedastheBlackRageansweredKhorne’scall.Sethblackedout,forhowlonghecouldnottell.Whenheroseagain,histhoughtswereblackandbarelyunderhiscontrol.Onlybydintofhisformidablewilldidheretainhissenseofself,whileSpaceMarinesaroundhimcastoffsanityandleapthowlingfromthebastionintothemassofscreamingaliens.Flickeringvisionsof thedistantpast threatened tooverwhelmhim.The scentofblood tormentedhim.SomethingmadehimgripAmit’sReliquary tohischest sohardhe fearedhemightbreak it andspill itspreciouscontents upon the bloodied ground. Its presence calmed him, allowing him to think. He looked at thecylinder.‘Tome!Tome!’heroared.Bloodyspitflewfromhismouth.‘Totherelic!Itwillsaveus!’Hismenreeledtowardshim,fightingagainsttheircurse,butwhentheydrewclosertotheirlord,theycalmed.Swarms of daemonswere descending the column, crawling downwards head first towards the dyingworldofBaalPrimus.Theyranwithsupernaturalspeedfromthebaseoftheirhellishstair,fanningoutineverydirection.The lead elements charged into the tyranids.Locked in position, the alienswere easypreyforthedaemons,andagreatslaughterbegan.A red tide sweptupward towards the fortress.Suddenly, the screamingof the tyranids stopped.They

awokefromtheirtrance.Nosemblanceoforderreturnedtotheswarm.Whethertheyfoughtagainstthedaemons, fled or did nothing seemed to be the product of chance. They roared and screamed all thelouder.Nowtheydidsoasbeasts,notthevesselsofthehivemind.‘Howcanthisbe?’saidSeth.Hisheadthrobbedwithfury.Wavesofbloodlustbatteredhispsyche.Hewantedtokill.Through it all, somehow, theThunderhawks came.Engines roared loudly. Six of themarrived.Therewas space for only one atop the fortress. It landed heavily, the other five peeling off and strafing thetyranidsanddaemonssurroundingthefortress.Theassaultrampslammeddown.‘Mylord,wemustdepart,’voxedthepilot,thestrainofthedaemon’scallinhisvoice.‘Wegonow,’saidSethtohismen.‘Orweshallbedamned.’Heclutchedathishead,fingersscratchinghisshavenscalp.Hisskullpoundedtoirresistiblewardrums.Jool growled and twitched, still kneeling after the psychic blow of the daemons’ arrival. Slowly, heshookhishead,androseupbeforeSeth.Seth’shandsclosedprotectivelyaroundthecasque,preparedtokillJooltosaveit.But,perhapsbecauseofSanguinius’feather,Joolhadcontrolofhimselfstill.Withdeliberate,stiffmovements,hereachedupandunclaspedhishelm.‘Wecannotgoback,’saidthelordoftheKnightsofBlood.‘Isee,’saidSeth.Andhedid.Jool’sfacewascontortedbeyondanygenerousdefinitionofhumanity.Hismusclesstrainedunderskinturnedaterribleshadeofred.Hiseyeswereyellow.Sharp,elongatedteethcrowdedhismouth,forcinghislipsbacksotheywerepainfullystretched.‘Theragehasus.Itpunishesus.MyChapterisfinished.’‘Whendidthishappen?’‘Yearsago.Itbeganlikeitiswithyou,ariseinthethirst,agrowingnumberofourbrothersfallingintotheBlackRage. Inourdesperationwe letourselvesgive in to the thirst.Forawhile ithelped,by theblood of the innocentwe controlled ourselves. It did not last. Soon, these changes set in.We thoughtbloodwouldsaveus.Itdamnedus.Lookuponme,Seth.TherearecreatureslikemeimprisonedintheTowerofAmareoonBaal.Ifourtruenaturewereknown,wewouldbeexterminated.OnlybloodkeepstheBlackRageinchecknow.Onlyblood.Thisiswhywefightalone.Iwouldfightwithyoubecauseyou,ofallourbrotherChapters,wouldunderstand.’Jool lookedoutover thebattle.Mostofhiswarriorshadbroken from the fort, and foughtoutside itswalls.‘Thewrathofthebeastprovokesthethirst.ThedaemonsofKhornecovetourkind.Theyseeourrageasthesameastheirs.Theyarewrong.Oursremainsaholyfury.Nodoubtthisnewbeastwishestosubvertourmighttoitsownendanddeliverusasslavestoitsbloodygod.Itshallnotbeso!’Hethrewhishelmetdown,anddrewhissword.‘Gonow,GabrielSeth.Takewhatremainsofyourwarriors.Rememberus.StrivesothatwhathappenedtoourChapterdoesnothappentoyours.Wesacrificeourselvesinpenitence.Itisourdue.WeshallshowtheNeverbornthatthoughwemayrageastheydo,weshallneverfallintotheirways.Forwearenoble,wearepure,wearethesonsof…’The daemon screamed again.A freshwave of anger and the desire to slay threatened to undoSeth’sresolve.Joolroared.‘Leave!’saidJool,hisvoicelosingitshumanity,becomingharshandanimalistic.‘TaketherelicbacktoBaal.Aid…AidDante.Wewillcoveryourretreat.’‘Mylord…’voxedthepilot.

Sethshookhisheadclearofredfog.Thedaywassobizarreithadtakenonthesemblanceofadream.Ifhedidnotcontrolhimselfhewouldendinanightmareofblood.‘Weleave,’hevoxed.Heheldupthereliquary.‘LookuponthepurityoftheGreatAngelandbesaved!’Thoseofhiswarriorsstillinpossessionoftheirmindsobeyed,runningaboardthefirstThunderhawk.When itwas full, it lifted off, and the second descended. Belthiel followed, dragged by his brothers,ragingandranting,andHarahel.Sethsawthemallaboardtheships.Joolstrodeawaywithoutanotherword.Thefewofhiswarriorsremaininginthebastionfollowed.Oneremained,anamelesswarrior,hiseyelenseslockedwithSeth’s.Thenhetoowasgone.A thirdThunderhawk lumbered down from the sky.More ofSeth’swarriorswere losing themselves.TheirpsychesravagedbythehellishangerofKhorne’sdaemons,theyturnedfromsalvationandranbackintothefray.ThevanguardofKa’Bandha’sforcehadreachedthefalsecorriethefortslookedover.Withsmokingblackswordstheylaidthealienslow.Bio-acidswashedoverthemwithouteffect.Bulletgrubspassedthroughtheirunearthlyfleshastheyflickeredinandoutofexistence.Sethswallowedhard.Hehadseenthisbefore.Thedaemon’smanifestationwasweak,despitethestormcurdlingtheheavens.Theirinvasionwouldnotlastlong.The fourth gunship descended.Dreadnoughts andwarriors ran on board.Thewoundedwere carried,limpandunresponsive,intothecraft.Otherbattle-brothersragedandshoutedastheygotontotheship,onthevergeoflosingallself-control.Seth lockedBloodReaver to his back, setting aside violence.His hands free of the tools ofwar, hecradledtheholyrelic,andbowedhisheadinsilentprayer.Minutespassed.Ahandgraspedhim.SethlookedupintothefaceofAppollus.Inonehandwashisgore-caked crozius, in the other Seth’s helm. The Chaplain breathed hard, and for a moment Seth thoughtAppolluswouldslayhim,butheheldoutSeth’shelmet,andwaitedwhiletheChapterMasterreplaceditonhishead.Outside the wall the sounds of fighting had intensified, a three-way racket of screams issuing fromhuman,daemon,andtyranidthroats.TheChaplainnoddedonce.Together,theyclamberedaboardthefinalshipanditliftedoff,climbingfastandhardforthesky.

Sentor Jool led his last warriors into a savage’s vision of hell. The tyranids continued to devour theworldwhiletheywerebeingslaughtered.Huge,fleshystructurespumpedawaytheresourcesofaworldevenastheyburned.Caughtinthethroesoftheirconsumptioncycle,thetyranidshipswereunpreparedfor the advent of the warp storm. They fell flaming from the sky. Feeder tubes toppled and drapedthemselves across the landscape with deafening wet slaps. Intestinal towers burst as they collapsed,sendingoutfloodsofbiologicalslopincorrosivetsunamisacrossthedeadland.The groundwas breaking apart under the influence of the daemonic incursion. Fissures gapedwide,aglowwithmagma.Seethingbloodwelledup through thegroundandboiledalienbioconstructs alive.Mountainsofskullsgrewfromholesinthestone.Aroundthestairwayofbone,realitywarpedthemost,thelandturningtoscreamingflesh.Theplainswerealreadyoverrunwithdaemons,butstillthelegionsofKhornemarcheddownandaroundthespiralstairininfiniteprocession,intothebattleforBaalPrimus.Thousands of lesser daemonkin fought tyranid beasts. Uncanny blades met hyper-evolved symbioticweapons.Thescreamsandshrieksofmonstersrenttheair.Thetyranidswereactingerratically;divorcedfromtheircontrollingintelligence,theyrevertedtoinstinctivebehaviourpatterns,andthesewereopentothecorruptionoftheBloodGod.Theywereeasyprey,manyofthemhavinglostwhateverpassedfora

mind.Theyactedwithoutthought.Manywrithedupontheground.Into this ragingbattle the last of theKnights ofBloodplunged.They toreoff their helmets, revealingfacesasmonstrousasthoseofthedaemonstheyfought.Theysangouttheirdeathsongsintothethinningair.TheymadenodistinctionbetweenxenosandNeverborn,slayingall thatcamewithinreachoftheirweapons.SentorJoolwasswampedwiththerageofKhorne.Gonewasthenigglingpsychicpressureofthealienmind,replacedbyaferociousurgingtokill.Helookedtohisownmenandwantedtohackthemdown,butheresisted;hedrewonthepurerwrathwithinhim,forcingasidethedaemonicinfluencescratchingathissoul.‘Iwillnot succumb! I feel thewrathofSanguinius! I feel theholy forceofhis anger!’he roared.Hesmashed down a small tyranid beast, crushing it as surely as an insect with the spiked guard of hischainsword.Abloodletter rose tomeet him, longblack tonguewhipping through the air as it swung amassivebrass sword at theChapterMaster’s head. Jool’s swordmet its blademid-sweep.Heheld ittherewhileheraisedhisgunandblastedadozenholes into thedaemonspawn,until itsunnatural fleshsuccumbedanditdiedwithanangryscream.Hotgalesracedthroughthedepletedair.SentorJoolhowled,expellingtheinvasiveangerofthewarpfromhisspiritbytheforceofhisvoice.TheKnightsofBloodfoughtforfighting’ssake.The battlecouldnotbewon.Hiswarriorswereneverthemost cohesive force. Upon that battlefield they finally abandoned any semblance of squad tactics.Theykilledanddiedalone.OnlyJoolhadagoalheintendedtomeet.Hebattledhiswaythroughtheshriekinghordesoftyranidsandtheir daemonic tormentors, onward, towhere the great red daemonKa’Bandha slaughtered the largestalienweaponsbeasts, carvingaway theirheadswith absurdcare.His trophies topplednotdownwardfromgoutingnecks,butfellawayupwardintothevortexturningaboutthepillarofskulls.‘Ka’Bandha!’Joolshouted.‘Ka’Bandha!Fightme!’The Angels’ Bane did not hear him, so Jool forced further passage through the three-sided melee,weavingpastablood-crazedDreadnoughtfightingamonstrositycomposedentirelyofscreamingmouths.Hefelledabloodlettergrapplingwithoneofhiswarriors,shotdownahoundwithafrillofskinarounditsneckthatleaptathim.Thetyranidsheignoredunlesstheydirectlyconfrontedhim.Thoughthedaemonswerelegion,theirholdonrealitywastenuous.Everyonekilledsawthreethrownintothewarp,andmanywerebutpaleoutlines,monsterssketchedinhateonthecanvasofreality.‘Ka’Bandha!Faceme,inthenameoftheGreatAngel!Fightme!’AtthatthegreaterdaemondidturnitsapishfaceuponJool.Yellowteethinredskingrinnedhorriblyathim.YellowteethlikeJool’sown,redskinlikehisown,andeyesthatstaredwiththesameintensity.AsinglecrackofleatherywingssentKa’Bandhahighoverthefray.HelandedbowedbeforeJoolinabillowofdust,hisfistplantedfirmlyintheground.Growling, Ka’Bandha rose up, and spread his wings andweaponswide. He looked down upon theChapterMasterwithferociousmockery.‘HereIam,SentorJool.Iwillfightyou,thoughyouarenoprimarch.’Thedaemontookupacombatpose,axereadytostrike,whipsnakingbackandforthhypnotically.AirshimmeredwithheataroundKa’Bandha.Steamrosefromthebeast’sunnaturalmuscles,carryingthestenchofrottingbloodandoldmurder.Mostdangerouswerethewavesofpureaggressionbeatingoffthething.Therewasnoseductioninthedaemon’slure,nopromiseofpleasureorknowledgeorthecessationofsufferingastheotherdarkgodsoffered,butaraw,openinvitationtoviolenceandbloodyabandon.IthammeredagainstSentorJool’smind,threateningtocrackitopenandsendhimscreamingintomadness.

IntheblackpromiseofKa’Bandha,Joolsawhisworstexcesses.‘Seehowmuchyouarealike tome,’Ka’Bandha said, taking in Jool’s hideousvisage, themusclesstraining inhisneckandthebloodpoundingfit tobursthisveins.‘TrulyyouareKhorne’screatures.Joinme,andwarbymyside inaneternityofglorious slaughter.Foryouwho thirst forblood, Iofferoceanstoslakeyourneed.’Joolfelltohiskneeswithagroan.Hisheartsransofastsomethinggaveinsidehim.Hespatamouthfulofhisownbloodontothegroundwhereithissedandbubbled.‘Pathetic,’saidKa’Bandha.‘Youarenothingcomparedtoyourgene-sire.’‘Byhisfury,’saidJool.Heforcedhimselfontooneknee.‘Seehowhestruggles,’mockedKa’Bandha.‘ByhisfuryshallIstand!’saidJoolquickly,fearingtheknowledgeofwordswouldslipawayfromhismindandleavehimdumb.‘Ah,fury,’saidKa’Bandha.Hecrackedhiswhip.‘FuryisthepowerKhornegives.Onlybyhisgiftdoyoustand,capableoffacingme,whenanyotherofyourunworthybreedwouldhaverippedhisownskinoffatthesight.Now,turnaround,andtakeyourrightfulplaceatmyside.Allyourlinewillbemine,eventually.Seekmyfavour,becomethefirst.’SentorJoollookedupintothedaemon’sfaceandshookhishead.‘Verywell.Youcannotbeatme.’Joollaughed,thebloodpoolinginhisthroatmakingitagurgle.‘Wedelayyou,monster.Yourpowerisnotsogreat.Alreadyyourhostunravels.Yourtimehereislimited.’‘Youwillstilldie!’shoutedKa’Bandhawithsuddenrage.‘I do not care.’ Jool raised his sword. ‘Sanguinius banished you. I cannot. I come to give you mytestament,daemon,’hesaid,hisvoicestrangled.‘Theycallusmonsters,rightfullyso,butletitbeknowntoyouandyourmasterthatitisSanguinius’furythatgivesmestrength,notbastardKhorne’s.’SentorJoolroaredhislastandchargedattheAngels’Bane.

Seth’svisionwasanauseatingspiralofredandblack.HeclenchedAmit’sReliquarytohischest.Ifheletgo,hewouldattackhismen.Throughslittedeyeshewatchedthemgothroughthesameinternalstruggle.Wavesofredhothatredwashedupfromtheplanetbelow.TheThunderhawkbucked,enginesscreamingwitheffort.Morethangravityassailedit.Itsmachine-spirittoowasgrippedwithwrathfulimpulses.‘ByhisBloodamImade,byhisBloodamImade,byhisBloodamImade,’mutteredSethoverandoveragain.Appollus tookupthechant.Theothers joinedhim,spittingthewords throughclenchedteeth,moaningthembetweenpleasforblood.ThereweresofewFleshTearersleft.FiveThunderhawks.Sofew.TheThunderhawkburstfromthegravitywellofBaalPrimus.Forasecondallwaswell;theirweightslippedfromthem,thepushbackofaccelerationdiminished.Ifthiswereanormalextraction,theywouldbeaboardtheVictusinamatterofminutes.Theillusionofnormalitywasrippedawayasthe Thunderhawkencounteredthestorm.Moststormsinthewarp affected only the immaterium, but thiswas such a powerful tempest, it intruded into reality,ruckingup the flatplaneof space into titanicwaves.The shipbouncedalong the surfaceof a tortureduniverse.Within, the Flesh Tearers felt their souls half ripped from their bodies. Flashes of the pastintruded into Seth’smind.He sawhis primarch.He saw theGreatEnemy.Worse things came at him,landscapes of bone, rivers of blood, hell-spawned warriors fighting desperately, eternally, for theamusementofaviolentgod.Metal squealed.The shipwas bent and stretched like dough.Terrible pain speared Seth through and

through,everycellinhisbodyindividuallyandsadisticallyimpaled.Hishelmplatedisplayfizzed.Thechronograph ran forward at incredible speed.Diabolical faces leered at him through electronic static.Wickedvoiceshissedinhisears.TheSpaceMarineswerescreaming,caughtonthedouble-edgedbladeofpain andbloodlust.At the edgeofhis consciousness,Seth apprehended thewail of failing engines,alarms,andthebattleshoutsoftheinsane.And yet through it all, the reliquary sat in his arms, a rock of calm in a sea of rage, and Seth drewstrengthfromit,andfromhimthecalmpassedtohismen.Itseemedtolastforever,asallacutesufferingdoes.Whensufferingisdoneitisasifitneverwas.Thehumanmindcannotrememberpain,onlythefearofit.ASpaceMarineknowsnofear.Thesickeningmotionofthecraftceased.Itspunoutofcontrol,tumblingendoverend.Thelumensinthetransitbaywereout.Blacknesssurroundedhim.Seth’sbreaththunderedinhisears.Emergency lumens pinked on. Seth’s helmplate crackled and burst back into colourful life. Themainlightsreactivatedamomentlater,followedbythecoughofmisfiringengines.Asecondofgrinding,andtheysangtrue.TheThunderhawklevelledout.Seth lookeduponanawfulscene.Severalofhismenhadsuccumbedto therageandslaineachother.Three of them still ranted at the brothers restraining them. Globules of blood floated about in themicrogravityofthetransitcabin.Atthesightofthem,hishandsgrippedatthereliquaryinvoluntarily.‘Mylord,Ihave…Ihave…’Thepilotspokeviavox.Hesoundedconfused.‘Tellmethestatusoftheenemy,’saidSeth.‘GivemeapictfeedsothatImightsee.Myarmourwillnotformadatabridge.’‘Thatisit,mylord.Theyare…Theyaregone.Theenemyaregone.’‘What?’‘Idonotbelieveit,’continuedthepilot.‘Icannotbelieveit.’Rarelyhadawrath-filledFleshTearersoundedsoconfused.‘Thestorm?’‘Alsogone.’Theco-pilotcutin.‘Thereismore,mylord.’‘What?’saidSeth,asenseofcoldwondercreepingintohishearts.‘Youwillnotbelieveme.’Sethturneddownthemag-lockofhisbootssohemightwalk.‘ThenIamcomingtoseemyself.’Hemadehiswayuptheaccessstairstothecockpit,stillcarryingthereliquary.Throughthecanopyhesaw that the storm had vanished from the sky, taking with it the tyranid swarm. Baal writhed withunnaturalenergiesyet,butthestarsshoneagainonthevelvetblackofspace.MakingitswaytoBaalwithenginestacksburningwasthebiggestImperialFleetGabrielSethhadeverseen.‘Mylord,’saidtheTechmarinepilot.‘Wearebeinghailed.’

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVENFALLOFANGELS

IntheExisChapel,CommanderDantepaidhisrespectstoSanguiniusonefinaltime.InthesixdayssincetheCicatrixMaledictumopened,theAngelicHosthadslaughteredthetyranids.Fora time, thehivemindappeared tobeabsent,and thedisorganisedalienswereeasypreyfor theSpaceMarines’wrath.Aseriesofcarefullystagedsortiesdrovethealiensbackfromthegatesoftheredoubt,buyingthescionsofSanguiniusvaluabletimetoregroupwithin.TheBloodAngelsheldtheredoubtstill.TherestoftheArxwasinthehandsoftheenemy.Nowtheirrespitewasover.Thehivemindstirredonceagain.OrdamaelrestedhishandgentlyonDante’sbatteredarmour.Therewasnotaplateofituntouched.Itslustrewas gone, goldworn down to bare ceramite in the few places itwas visible beneath scabs ofsealantfoamanddriedalienblood.‘Ordamael,’saidDante.‘Theyareready?’‘Theyawaityourcommand,mylord,’saidOrdamael.‘Thepreparationsaremade.TheAmareanGuardstandreadytoopenthegatestothetower.Iamboundtoremindyouthatoncethisorderisgiven,itcannotbeundone.Theblood-cursedwillnotstopuntiltheyaredead.Theycannotbecontainedoncereleased.’‘Iwillhaveitdone,’saidDante.‘Thenitistime,mylord,’saidOrdamael.Danteroseslowly,keepinghisheadbowedtothemodeststatueofSanguiniusinthechapel’sreliquaryniche.Thestatuewaswhitealabaster,importedtoBaalcenturiesago.Lightthecolourofarterialbloodflooding through thewindowsof the chapel stained the statue a deep, ominous red.TheBaalian sky’ssubtleshadesofpinkhadbeenreplacedbyabloodyeffulgence thatneverchanged.Thesunwasgone.Themoonsweregone.TherewasbloodintheskyandrageinDante’sheart.‘Nowisindeedthetime,’saidDante.Hesalutedthestatueofhisgene-father,andbowedasdeeplyashisarmourwouldallow.TheExisChapelwashisbyrightasChapterMaster,hisprivateplaceforprayerandcontemplation.Hedidnotexpecttosetfootwithinitagain.ThestairsfromtheExisChapeltotheBasilicaSanguinarumresonatedtothesoundsofSpaceMarinessingingtheMoripatris,thedeathhymnoftheBlood,asthelastdefendersofBaalkneltwithheadsbowed

overtheirweapons,offeringuptheirlivesafinaltimeintheserviceoftheirprimarchandtheirEmperor.Danteemergedfromthestair’sscreeneddoorandwalkeddownthecentralaisleofthebasilica.Allthewarriorswereinblacknow.Therewasnopaint,sotheSpaceMarineshadstainedtheirarmourasbesttheycould, rubbingbloodandsoot into theplates toblacken them.The individualcoloursofChapterswereshroudedinmourningforabloodlinesoontobeextinct.Thecathedralwashalfruined.Ornatewindowswereblownintopilesofglassandstone.Theroofhadpartiallycollapsed.Acidmarkspittedthefloorwherexenosbeastshadgainedbriefingressbeforebeingcutdown.Thesmellofburningwasstrongeverywhere.Dantetookhisplaceinthepulpitattheheadofthebasilicaforthefinaltime.ChaplainsandSanguinarypriestsofalltheChapterslinedupatthefrontandturnedtofacetheassembledhost,ahandfulonly,fewerthan the Blood Angels alone had possessed before the coming of Leviathan. Corbulo lived, as didOrdamael.Manyoftheircomradeshaddied.TheytogetherrepresentedaquarteroftheCouncilofBloodandBone.Dante joined his voice to the singing of the death hymn. The numbers were deceptively high, twothousand,twiceasmanyasafullChapter,butafractionoftheAngelicHost.This defeatwas a deadly blow to the scions of Sanguinius, one that theywould never recover from,thoughtDante.Tearscourseddownhischeeks.Hisreignwouldseethelegacyofaprimarchdestroyed.

DantebanishedhiswoeastheMoripatrisreacheditssorrowfulend.Theroostsofthecyber-constructswho tended thecathedralwereempty.Noautochoristers remained to leaven theSpaceMarines’bassoprofundovoiceswithhigherregisters.Hearing thesongthatway, fromsomanytranshumanthroatsandwithoutembellishmentliftedDante’ssoulalittle.Therewasapuritythere.Ifthemixedsongsofcyborg,AdeptusAstartesandthrallhadrepresentedSanguinius’bloodmixedwiththatofmortalmen,nowitwasdistilledbacktoitstruepotency.WhenthelastreverberationsdiedawayfromthecathedralstoneandDantespoke,hisvoicewasstrongandclear,freeofdoubtanddespair.Allwhohearditfelttheirbloodstir.‘Thereisalwaysbeauty,eveninthedepthsofugliness,eveninthedepthsofdefeat,’saidDante.‘Yoursong raisesusall above this realmofearthly flesh, forweareangelsandwarriors inequalpart.OurdevotiontoourEmperorandourgene-fatherisaparagontowhichthecitizensoftheImperiumhavelongaspired.Nowwe stand upon the brink of death, thiswill not change. I say let us not go into the longsilencesofhistory,butstrideforwardintolegend.‘Ifthetyranidsremainedwithoutguidance,wemightsurvivehere,behindthewallsoftheHeavenwardRedoubt.But they reorganise.Thehivemind isdisruptedno longer.OurLibrarians report the shadowfallsoncemore.Itisweak,butitgrowsstrongerwitheverypassingminute,coalescingaroundonepotentnexus. If this is allowed to continue the tyranidswill becomeofonemindagain, and they shall attackwithoutmercy,andwewillperishhere,withinthesewalls.Wehavenonoticeofthefleet.Thevoidisawashwith theenergiesof thewarp. Ifwestrikedown their leader,wemaydeal theswarmonefataldeathblow,andsavetheworldsbeyondBaal…’Hisvoicecaught.Herecoveredquickly.‘Inthisway,wewill win a victory of sorts. We will most likely die in the attempt. Millions of them remain, scantthousandsofus.Ifwestaybehindthesewalls,theywilloverwhelmthelastofourdefencesinafewdays.Thisistheonlyway.Theshadowinthewarpisamany-headedmonster,moreferociousthanthehydraofancienttales,forithasabilliontimesabillionheads,andallmustbeseveredbeforeitwilldie.Wehavetheblades!Wehavethewill!Letuscarvetheskullsof thiscreature.Arewenot thesonsof theGreatAngel?ArewenotthemostblessedofallAdeptusAstartes?’

Heletthequestionhangontheairunanswered.‘Ourprimarchwasamongthefirsttodie,butheliveseternalinallourbeings.Themeatandbloodofourbodiesarehishost.Fortenthousandyearswehaveprotectedhislegacywithinthefortressesofourbodies.’Hebowedhishead.‘That timeisatanend.WeareallDeathCompanynow.Thesarcophagi lieshattered, theiroccupantsdevoured, andour futureuponBaalhasdiedwith them.TheChapter is finishedhere, but it is not yetdead.Ourbloodlinemaysurvive, in thegene-seedofourbrotherselsewhere in thegalaxy, itmaynot.Thisquestionofsurvivalisnolongerourstocontemplate.Divertyourgazefromthefuture,andthinkofthepresent,ofnow,ofwhatwemightaccomplishinthesenext,glorioushours.Forifwemustgointothedarknessofextinction,letusdosowithourswordsinourhandsandthewrathofSanguiniusinourgrasp.Whentidingsofthisbattlereachotherworlds,letthemliftuptheirgunsandsay“Weshallnotfall!Weshallnotdiemeekly.ThroughbattlewerememberandhonourthesonsofBaal!”’Hisvoiceraised.‘Whowillsay“aye”,whowillraisehisswordwithmine?Whowillbringburnishedsteelandwrathfulsoultotheslaughter,andletredruinflow?Whowilldieinrememberingourlord?Ourflesh may be devoured, but they cannot touch our souls! We are the most blessed of the Emperor’swarriors.Thesoulofourlordlivesinthemindsandtheheartsofeveryoneofus,wetheredclad,thebloodhungry.Wethewrathfulandthepure.We,thesonsofSanguinius,mostnobleandgloriousofalltheprimarchs,weholdmorethanhismemoryinourheartsandminds.TheGreatAngelwouldnotlurkherewaitingforhisend.Hewouldstrikeout,seekingtodestroytheleaderofhisenemiesashedidwhenheconfrontedhisbrotherHorus.’Hisvoicelowered.‘Suchachoiceisnowours,asitwasourfather’s.Ifwedothis,weshallallsurelyperish,butBaalmayyetescape,andplayhosttoSpaceMarinesstill.Youand Iwill notbe among them,but thenameof theBloodAngels and the scoreofotherChapterswhofoughtwithusherewillyetbeknownacrossthegalaxy.’Dante paused, and reached up behind his head. Seals hissed as he uncoupled the death mask ofSanguinius,exposinghisagedfaceproudlytohisbrethren.‘ForamillenniumIhavewornthismask,solongthatmortalhumansonathousandworldsequateDantewithSanguinius.Onehasbecome theother. I havenoneedof amaskany longer, I neednotwearourlord’sface.Heisinhere,inmyhearts.’Hebangedhisfistagainsthischest.‘Irevealmyfacetoyou,longhiddenforshameoftheweaknessagereveals.IshallwearthismaskwhenIfight,inhonourofourlord,butIgointothefinalbattlenotasapoorfacsimileofourfather,butasCommanderLuisDante,sonofBaal,sonoftheGreatAngel,whoselivingbodyisthehostoftheprimarch!’Hepaused.Twothousandblackhelmetslookedbackexpectantly.‘Whatsayyou,warriorsofBaal?’hesaidinaferociouswhisperthatroseinvolumeandpower.‘Thatwe let slip the Red Thirst one final time, and fly upon wings of wrath with our lord unto battle? Icommendyouall,ohyemighty, to theprotectionof theGreatAngel.For theEmperor, forSanguinius!Thereisnomorebeautytobehadfromlife,soletusthenseekabeautifuldeath!’‘Abeautifuldeath!For theEmperor!ForSanguinius!’ thedoomedangelsshouted.TheirvoicesshooktheruinsoftheBasilicaSanguinarum.Dantenodded,satisfied.‘Thenwemarch.AllofuswhobeartheBlood.ChaplainOrdamael,summontheAmareanGuard.OpenthegatesoftheTowerofAmareo.Letthedamnedmarchwiththedamned.’

TheTowerofAmareohadwithstoodtheinvasionwithitswindowlesswallsintact.Evenwhilethealiensbatteredatitswalls,thebattleservitors,Dreadnoughts,SpaceMarinesandbloodthrallsoftheAmareanGuardhadnotoncelefttheirposts,keepingwatchontheragingcreatureswithin.

Thegatesofredironopenedrarely,andnevertoletanythingout.Theyshuddered.TheAmareanGuard’sfiftystrongcohortwithdrewfromthegatehousetothecoveredbattlementsoverlookingthewaytothetower.Withaboomingcreak,thegatesopenedwide.Astheydidsothebellatthepinnacleofthetowerwasunswaddled.Redandblacksilkwascastfromshuttersthathadneverbeenopenedbefore,andfellspirallingtotheground.Thebellbegantotoll.TheCustodianoftheDamnedemergedfirst,aSpaceMarinechampionoathboundtoremainwithinthetoweruntiltheendofdays.Nowthosetimeshadcome,andhemarchedoutwithhisswordflaringwithenergy,blackarmourglinting likeoil.Frombehindhimcame the rattlingofchainsand thegrindingofrusteddoorsforcedwidebylabouringmachines,andhowlingandscreamingofinhumannature.Allthewordsthethick,animalvoicesutteredwerebrokenbeyondcomprehension,saveone.‘Blood!Blood!Blood!’The damned occupants of the Tower of Amareo burst from the darkness. They were abominations,twistedfarfromtheirhumanoriginsbyrampantlymalfunctioninggene-seed.Theyweretwicethesizeofmortalmen,bulgingwithmuscles.Yellowedfangstooktheplaceofhumanteeth.Theirskinwasbloodredandwaxy, their eyesamber.Theyboundedalongonknuckled fists likeapes, screamingat the sky.FivedozenimmortalmonsterswhosesufferinghungovertheChapterlikeapoison,freeatlasttokill.Theywouldtakenodirection.TheCustodianoftheDamnedstoodasideandwentwithinanarmouredcylindertoletthempass.Theyspedbyraging,beatingattheirflesh,longblacknailsrippingattheirownskin.Awayhadbeenclearedfromthetower’sgateontheArxMurusdowntothebottomoftheredoubtintotheWell ofAngels.Directed by barred doors and high barricades, the damned hurtled onward. Theirroars filled the corridorsof thekeep,until theycame to thegrand innerward, an internalkilling fieldbehind theBloodgate.As the damned approached, portcullis, gates and energy fieldwere all opened.Dead tyranids tumbled down from the corpse pilesmounded up against the gates, to join the strata ofstinkingalienfleshfillingtheWellofAngels.Thedamnedscrambledoutoverthebodies,scentingthingstokill.Oncetheyweregone,innergatesatthebackofthewardopened,andtheSpaceMarinesranout.Bythetimetheywereassembledandreadyfortheirfinalsallyafewminuteslater,thescreechesofembattledtyranidswerealreadyechoinginthehall.DanteraisedtheAxeMortalis.‘SonsofBaal,forward!’heshouted.‘For Sanguinius! For the Emperor! A beautiful death!’ they replied, and together they ran though theHeavenwardRedoubt’sBloodgate,andintotheoccupiedWellofAngels.

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHTADVENTOFTHETYRANT

TheBloodAngelsstormedthroughtheWellofAngels,smashingasidethetyranidsremaininginsideastheymade for theElohimGate. In the tunnel through themountainwall they found no opposition.TheinmatesofAmareo’stowerhadprecededthem,andslaughteredeverythingintheirpath.Theendofthetunnelbeckoned,brightandredasabulletwound.As they ranDante shouted, ‘FromhisBlood arewe born!Fromhis essence arewemade!Fromhispassioncomesourart!Fromhisnobilitycomesbeauty.Fromhismightstemsjustice.Fromhisthirst isbornrighteousrage!’Forthefirsttimeintwelvecenturies,Dantelethiscontrolslipaway,allowingtheall-encompassingfuryofSanguiniustopushasidehishumanity.Hisworstfearwasrealised;toletgowaspleasurable.Dante embraced theRedThirst. Blood roared in his head bringing pain, butwith it came relief.Nolongermustheholdhimself incheck.Heexultedinhisfreedomashismusclesswelledanddistended.Hisheartshammeredinhischestlikeanautomaticweaponfiredtothepointofmalfunction.Hisangel’steethextrudedthemselvesfromhisgums.‘Rage!’heshouted.‘Rage,rage,rageagainstthedyingofthelight!’TheyburstfromthetunneloftheElohimGatelikethewrathoftheEmperorgivenform.The tyranidswere sluggish in their response. Their whip-quick reactions had yet to return, though aripplinginthehordesoutsidethewallssuggestedagrowingcoordination.TheBloodAngelsand their successors slammed into thebroodsof tyranids filling the landing fields,bowling over the smaller types and crushing them underfoot. They followed awide road of shatteredbodiesleftbythedamned,aweaknessinthehordetheSpaceMarineswereswifttoexploit.Jumppacksignited,sendingthefewwarriorswhopossessedthemarcingovertheirfellows.Dantewentattheirhead,jets thundering.Thelastof theSanguinaryGuardflewbyhisside, ledbyDontorielandSepharan–nomatterwhichChaptertheyhailedfrom,agloriouswingedregimentwhoselikehadnotbeenseensinceSanguinius himself flew the skies of Baal. Ordamael flew with Dante, chanting complex poems toSanguiniusthatcaughtandtrippedonhisthickeningtongue,untiltheybecamemeaninglesssnarls.Theydescendedwithafurybornofsorrow.

Dante’sfeethammeredintotheskullofatyranidwarrior,smashingitflat.Itslashwhipcurledupandsnaredhisfeet.Dantesevereditwithablowofhisaxeandthumpeddownontothebloodiedsand,thenwasoffatasprint.Hemovedlikethedesertwind,neverstill,neverfaltering,despiteresidualpainfromhismanywounds.He ran through thewreckageofSpaceMarineaircraft and tanks, slaughteringeverytyranidhefound.Asingleitempulsedonhishelmdisplay:thehivemindnexusdetectedbyhislastfewpyskers.Allotherdatahehadremoved.Inhisfuriousstatehewouldnothaveunderstoodthemanyway.Cannons,mannedbythelastmortalsintheArx,boomedfromtheCitadelReclusiam.Themoreesotericweaponswerebeyondthemortals’comprehension,but theyworkedthefortressprojectilecasterswellenough.Conesof sandandbodyparts sprayedwildlyupwards, theirmaddash for theskyarrestedbygravityonlywhentheyhadreachedhundredsoffeetinaltitude.OnDante’shelmplatethemarkerbeatslowly,temptingly,luringthecommanderintothepressofalienmonsters.Hepressedonthroughthecurtainofexplosions.Therewerefewbloodthrallsleft.TheraggedconscriptsofBaal’smoonslackedtraining,yetbyamiracleDantewasnotblowntoatomsbyhisownside.Dantefoughthiswayforward.Ordamaelragedathisside,hiscroziusbangingwitheveryimpact.ThesongsoftheAngelsofDeathbecamedebasedhowling.Anysemblanceofsquadcohesionortacticswentfrom thebattlelineas they surrendered themselves to the thirst.They foughtanddiedalone, awaveofhowlingberserkerswhohacked andbludgeoned,who soon forgot the rangedweapons theybore,whobrokethechainswordstheycarried,whograppledwithalienmonstrositieswithweaponlesshands.Theworldwasashiftingmassofxenos,pealingdetonationsandtheterriblecoloursoftheskythathidthe universe from sight. The tyranids were responding, recovering from their shock, if such creaturescouldbeshocked.AsDantedrewnearertothehivenodemarker,thetyranids’movementsfellintofurthersynchronisation.Theyhadyet to attain theperfect simultaneityof thehivemindatpeakefficiency,buttheirattacksevidencedgreaterthoughtandcoordination.Theyfeintedandwithdrew.Differingcreaturespresented themselves to battle particular foes where before they had come thoughtlessly at the SpaceMarines.Phosphorbiomunitionsflewoverheadonslowparabolas.Theyslappedintothelandingfields,sendingoutgobbetsofburningliquid ineverydirection, immolatingtyranidandSpaceMarineequally.Artillerybeastsfiredandfired,theircannonsymbiotesscreaming,aheart-rendingnoisethatgrewlouderastheSpaceMarinespenetrateddeeperintothehorde.Dante slew with abandon. The honour guard fought alongside him with the consummate skill ofmurderersfivehundredyearsinthemaking.Forall theirunstoppablefury, thesignsofdefeatwereunmissable.Onebyone, theSanguinaryGuardweredraggeddown,pluckedfromtheairbyshrikesorclawedapartbycarnifexes.Sepharanwastorninhalfbyahivetrygon.Dontoriel,heroofCryptus,wasthelasttodie,fallinginatumbleoftatteredwingsnot far from the commander, his golden armour hidden by a thrashingmass of alien limbs as hewasrippedtopieces.Dozens of wrecks from the withdrawal were strewn among the landing field’s battered temporarybuildings.Suitsofpowerarmourlayinquantity, theircoloursstrippedbyacid.Thetyranidshadyettoremove the corpses, for the feedingof the swarmhadnot begun there.Dante laughed inwild despair.Gatheredtogether,allthesonsofSanguiniuscouldaccomplishwastoslowtheconsumptionofasingleworld.Thoughtsofthatclaritybecamerare.Dantelettheragingmonsterinhissoulouttosmashdownthefoe.His perceptions lost their edge.Hallucination stole upon him, supplanting reality.The first sign of hisfailingmindwasagoldenflashoverheadthathadhimshoutinjoy.‘TheSanguinor!’hecalled.‘Hecomesatlast!’

Sanguinius’heraldhadcometotheaidoftheBloodAngelswherevertheyweremostsorelypressedfortenmillennia,appearingfromnowhere,anddisappearingassuddenly.HehadhauntedDanteinparticular,hisonlyrecordedwordsspokentohim.Dantehadfeltabandonedbytheholywarrior.HecouldnotknowtheSanguinor’sabsencefromBaalwasoccasionedbyhispresenceattheCadianGate.Whenhelookedagain,theheraldofSanguiniuswasnowheretobeseen.Thetorturedskieswereempty.Theselyingsightscamemoreoften,andsoonthebattleflickeredandchangedaroundhim.Hetookastepforward, and was sent backwards in time, finding himself fighting alongside Blood Angels withunfamiliarmarkingsinancientsuitsofarmour.Theskyinthatancientbattlewasblack,litsporadicallybythe sheeting glare of energy weapons. He wept for the Emperor’s dream as he fought alongside hisbrothers, but his fury did not abatewith his sorrow. Itwaswatered by it, becoming larger than he, ademigod’sangerthatdidnotoriginateinhimbutpossessedhimandoverfilledhim.Thebattlefieldflickeredbacktothepresent.ASpaceMarine,burningheadtofootincorrosivechemicalfire,howledmadly,bludgeoningatyranidbeastwithhisbrokenswordashedied.AllaroundtheAngelsofDeathwerefalling.Ordamaelchargedintoahulking,multi-weaponedassaultbeast,stunningitwithablowfromhiscroziusarcanum,onlytoberippedintwobygiant,crustacean’sclaws.Dantesalivatedatthespraysofbloodthatflowedout.Hewouldhavetornhishelmfreeandlappedatthestickysandthen,hadatrumpet’ssweetnotesnothaltedhim.Lightshoneoverapartof thebattlefield.TheSanguinorhovered,fivehundredfeetaway,swordheldupright,fingerpointingdownward.Warriorsinblackbattleplateappearedfromtheshimmeringair,theirarmourcovered in skullsandbones.Fire streamed from theireyesandmouths,andwhen theirboltersfired,theyshotstrangeammunitionofblueflame.TheLegionoftheDamnedhadcometoaidthesonsofSanguiniusintheirhourofneed.Danteblinked,but thisvisiondidnotdisappear.Hiswarriorsshoutedandhowled, regainingsomeoftheirhumanity,andpressingonaftertherevenantsdeeperintothehordesoftyranids.The tyranids fellbackbefore theirunearthlyassailants.The trumpetsoundedagain,and theSanguinorpointedagainwithhisbladeataspotonthefield.WhenDantelookedwheretheheraldindicated,thereticleinhishelmbeatmadlyandflashedgreen.Heblinked.Inhisfuryhehadforgottenhismission.Hisvisionblurred,andtheSanguinorbecameanangeloffleshandblood,hugeandmighty,cladinblood-redrobes.‘Sanguinius?’Dantesaid.Hepushedon,shovinghiswaythroughcombatantswhetheralien,revenant,orSpaceMarine.Acarnifexrearedupbeforehim,barringhisway.Dantepreparedtotackleit,heftedthesparkingAxeMortalis, but a helmless warrior barged past him, face locked in a savage rictus, teeth exposed, andengaged thecreature inahopeless,one-sidedbattle.CaptainFen,aquietpartofDante remarked.TheAngelVermillionhadbeengoodtohisword.Danteranpast,his lastembersof intellect tellinghimheneededtoreachtheSanguinorbeforehelosthimselfforgood.He fought on, sometimes alone, but as hepushedon, hewas surroundedby theghostly shapesof theLegionoftheDamned,whoseceaseless,uncannyfirefelledaliensallaroundtheChapterMaster,andsohedrewnearertotheSanguinor.HepassedthefirstofthebeastsofAmareo.Thered-skinnedgiantlaycurledup,childlike,surroundedbytherentbodiesof tyranids, its faceatpeaceas ifsleepingafter longefforts.Thesecondcamesoonafter,thenthethird.Allweredead,theirimmortalbodiespiercedinahundredplaceseach.The Sanguinor maintained its position, pointing downwards. Warriors from all over the field wereconvergingonthepoint,notfortacticsorforglory,orevenforsurvival.Theydiditforfury.Theydiditforblood.Theydiditfortheirprimarch.

Sanguiniusreachedouttohissonsthroughhisherald,andcommandedtheystrikeonefinalblowinhisname.Theyobeyed.

Awallofpoisonousvapoursobscuredthetarget.Spindlythingsfloatedby.Feeblelimbsdangledbeneathoversizedsporechimneysthatpumpedoutyellowandgreengranulargases.Atrillionsporesgavethefogitstexture,eachoneatyranidorganismsmallerthanaterrestrialmite.AsDanteranintothissmokehisarmourletoutashrillwarning.Thetinysporelingsattackedhisbattleplate,eatingintothebandedmetalofthejointsandthesoftsealsbeneath.Wherehisskinwasexposedbybrokenplateitblisteredundertheeffectsoftoxinandacid.Hedidnotfeelit.Thefogmutedallsound.Hecouldseenofurtherthanafewyards.Darkshapesgrappledinitsdepths,edges of chitin or ceramite illuminated by weapons fire. The flaming, silent warriors of the damnedLegion foughtonunaffected,but theydrewawayfromhim, lighthouses in the fog, leavingDante tohisfate.Heknewinhissoulhemustfightthisbattlealone.Ablindtyrantguardemergedfromthecoilingfalsesmoke.Itwashuge,andhunched,bentoveritsshort,heavyclaws.Danteengagedhisjumppackinstinctively,roaringoutofthewayofitsattack,andupoverits eyeless head.TheAxeMortalis sparkledwith thedeathof a hundred thousand tyranid spores as itcleaveddown,cavingthething’sheadin.Ashotfromtheperditionpistolburnedoutitsinternalorgansandsentitcrashingdown.Agoldenglow ledDanteon.Thesnarlsandhowlsofhiswarriorswerebarelymorehuman than thehissing chitters and roars of the tyranids.His flesh burned, his superhuman physiology unable to keeppace with the damage inflicted by the miniscule creatures eating into his body. The sensation barelyregistered. Pain that would have incapacitated a normal man, even a Space Marine, was a dim,meaninglessthrobtohim.Moreoftheblindgiantsemergedfromthefog,movingwithincreasingsuretyofpurposeasthesluggishhivemind reacted to the threat.SpaceMarinescame in fromeverydirection, screaming forbloodanddeath,crashingintotheguardiansoftheswarm’sleader.Danteshotanotherofthetyrantguard,woundingit,andslippedby.Asitstaggeredabouttofollowhim,threesonsofSanguiniusinblackenedarmourchargedatit.Onewasscissoredinhalfbythebeast.Afire-wreathedwarriorwith pallid skinmoved in to engage the creaturewith his powerfist. Dante did notwitnesstheendofthefight,heheadedfurtherintothekillingsmoke,seekingouttheleaderbeast.Thereticleinhisborrowedhelmetstrobedrapidly.Hewasclose.Soundsof battle receded.He ascended amoundof intermingled tyranid and Imperial dead.Thehivemindwouldconsumethemtogether.Autophagywasapartofitsevolutionarystrategy;itsweaponsweredisposable,liketheboltsinaSpaceMarine’sgun.Thebiomassofitswarriorbeastswouldfindnewuseselsewhere.ThesmokethinnedasDanteclimbed.HecouldnotrecallseeingsuchatallpileofdeadfromtheArx.Whenhelookedathisfeetthetyranidshadgone.Insteadhewalkedoverthetangledcorpsesofmyriadspecies,all soaked inbrightgore.Nota fewamong themweremenorSpaceMarines,andhenumblyrecognisedsomeasfacesfromlongago.Dantewalkedon the collected remainsof his victims.Whether thiswas a psychic attackby thehivemind,orasymptomofhisimminentmentalcollapsewasimmaterial.Therewasonemorebodythatmustbe added to this pile, thenhemight rest.He forcedhimself up thephantommoundby strengthofwillalone.Uphewentforhours.Attimeshewasaccompaniedbyghostsfromhispast.Aboywithablacksmile.ABloodAngelhehadexecuted.Ateacherhehadalmostforgotten.ASpaceMarine’smemorywaseidetic,

butDantewassooldthathismemorieshadcorruptedovertime.Thatwhichhehadnotentirelyforgottenofthosedistantdays,hestruggledtoaccess.Nowallhispastwastheretotormenthim.Thecorpsepilegrewsteeper.Dantewasforcedtolockhisaxetohisbackandholsterhispistolsothathemightdraghimselfupward.Thestifflimbsofthedeadwerehishandholds.Rottencavitiesprovidedhimplacestoputhisfeet.Heattainedthesummitwithoutrealisinghowhegotthere.Hewassuddenly,inexplicablystandinguponaplain.Thecorpsesweregone,replacedbyapavementofcloselypackedskullsmarkedwithvilerunes.Aheadlayhisfinalstruggle.Horusthedeceiverstoodasvastasatitanoverthebattlefield.Thefaceofhisbrotherwasamockeryofwhathadbeen.Hischarismaticsmilehadbecomeacruelleer.Arrogancedisplacedconfidence.Wherewisdomhad shone innoble eyes, thereburned the fellpowerof ancient,evilgods.He…Dantescrewedhiseyesshut.‘IamnotSanguinius,’hesaidthroughgrittedteeth.‘IamDante.Dante.IwilldieasDante.Thisismyfinalbattleoath.Ishallbemyself.’Horusshivered,andbecamemore real.Thescene rippled.Acorruptedspacecraftwallwavered intobeingbehindhim.Dantecontinuedtowalkforward,hisheavyfeetbeyondhiscontrol.Armouredbootsclangedondeckplating.HewasfatedtodiehereontheVengefulSpirit.Hehadto.FortheEmperor’ssake,hewouldallowhisdeathatthehandsofhisbrother.Hiswingstwitched,longingforonefinalflight.No,thatwasnotright.Notright.‘IamnotSanguinius!’heshouted.‘IwilldieasDante!’Heblinked.Horuswasgone.Theskullsweregone.Poisonsmokewasbeingharriedtoshredsbythegatheringdesertwind.He sawa light in the sky, a star?The redness of thewarp storm seemed to bethinning.Hestareddumblyupwards,wonderingifthestormwasover,untilascreamingroarbroughthisattentionbacktoearth.FiftyyardsawaywasthelargesthivetyrantDantehadeverseen.Uponbackward-hingedlegsitstoodtaller thanaDreadnought.Redsporecloudspumpedfromthechimneysonitshighback.Bondedto itsfistswerefourmatchedboneswords,withheavyendsassquareandbrutalascleavers.Hehadheardofthisthing,thegalaxy’sbane,thehivemindpersonified.CommanderDantefacedtheSwarmLord.His perception coalesced around themonster. Reality reasserted itself, his visions driven off by thesheerphysicalityofthehivemind.Thepastgavewaytothepresent.Thesoundsofbattlereturned,albeitmuted. The hordewas broken into pieces. The howling of his blood-madwarriors was scattered, soisolatedtherecouldonlyhavebeenafewofthemleft.Inthemonster’seyesglimmeredanancientandpowerfulintellect.Asoldashewas,Dantefeltlikeanewbornbabe compared to the intelligence staring at him through that unblinkinggaze.He sensed thatthereweretwobeingslookingathim.Themonster,andthebeingthatcontrolledit.Theywereseparate,yetone.A senseof crushingpsychicmight emanated from it, sogreat itsgraspencompassedgalaxies.Therewas sophistication there, and terrifying intelligence, but allwere outweighed by its bottomless,eternalhunger.Forthemomentthatthemanandthemonsterstaredintooneanother’ssouls,Dantepitiedit.ThehungerofthehivemindmadetheRedThirsttrivialbycomparison.A rumble sounded in the monster’s throat. Muscle fibres exposed by gaps in its chitinous armourcontracted;thatwasallthewarningDantereceived.Therewasnothreatdisplay,noroartointimidate,itsimplyhurleditselfintotheattack.Thehivemindwasnothingifnotefficient.Despite its size, the Swarm Lord moved with staggering speed. Its alien anatomy made its attacksdifficulttopredict,andDantefoundhimselffendingoffablurofjaggedbone.Crystalveinsglitteredin

theblades,generatingashimmeringenergyfieldlikenoneDantewasfamiliarwith.TheSwarmLord’sweaponsmettheAxeMortaliswithathunderousboom.Dantereeledbackfromtheblow,lettingoutabriefblastfromhisjumppacktosteadyhimself,dodgingnarrowlytotherighttoavoida return strike from theSwarmLord’s two left-hand swords.He ignitedhis jumppack fully,makingashortleapbackwardsastheswordsfromtherightsmashedintothedesertwherehehadbeenstanding.Theenergyfieldencasingthebladeexplodedthesand.Asthebeastslammeddownitsweaponshesnappedoffaquickshotwiththeperditionpistol.Hisaimwashonedbycenturiesofpractice.Themeltabeamcutaroilinglinethroughtheair,connectingwiththeSwarm Lord’s lower left elbow joint. An explosion of steam carried the smell of broiled meat outtowardsDante,andthething’sarmwentlimp.Itmadenocryofpain.Asitmovedforward,itsuselessarmsnaggedontheground.Withantotallackofhumanemotion,itseveredthecrippledlimbwithaswordblowandmovedintore-engage.Danteleaptagain, jets on full burn. He swooped low, darting in to strike and withdraw. His fuel indicatorsplummeted,butDanteremainedaloft,soaringawayfromboneswordstrikeswithexpertlytimedexhaustbursts.HisblowsleftadozensmokingscarsintheSwarmLord’scarapace.ItrespondedwithabuffetingstormofpsychicallygeneratedterrorthathadnoeffectontheSpaceMarinelord,sodeepinthethirstwashe.ThethirstgrewinDanteuntilhestoodonthebrinkoftheBlackRage,apithecouldneverclimbfrom.Heresistedtheurgetofinallythrowhimselfin.Thestrengththislastsurrenderwouldgranthimwouldbeformidable,buthismindwouldbegoneforgood,andsohewouldperish.Notuntilthisthingwasslainwouldheabandonhislastshredsofself-control.Hehadtoknowthatitwasdead.Hefocusedonhishate,onhisdesiretokill,onhisneedtoripthisinterloper’sheadfromitsshouldersandcastittothesand.TheSwarmLord’sarmourwasthickestonitsshoulders,headandback.Theyduelledforlongminutes,Dante landing somany blows that the edge of his fabled axe dulled, and its power unit vented blacksmoke. All his skill could draw but a little blood. The SwarmLord snapped and swung at himwithundiminishedmight.Danteneededadecisiveblowsoon.TheSwarmLord’sendurancewouldoutlasthisown,andoneluckystrikefromthebeast’sweaponscouldendthefightlongbeforeexhaustionsetin.SoDantedivedinagain,axeheldlowinthemannerofacavalrymanstoopinginthesaddletostrikewithhissabre.Jinkingthroughswinging boneswords and into the spore cloud issuing from theSwarmLord’s chimneys, he raked theblade of his weapon across the leader beast’s face, catching it across one eye. He was momentarilyblindedbytheswirlofredmicroorganismsbelchingfromitsback,andforcedtotouchdown.Thetwocombatantswheeledtofaceeachother.ThechitinaroundtheSwarmLord’srighteyewascutdowntoagleamofbone.Ichorandhumoursfromitsravagedeyewetitscheek.Dantesmiledcoldly.‘Ishalltakeyourothereye,andthenIshallkillyou.’Inreturntheleaderbeastshrieked,apsychicassaultthatchannelledthepolyphonousvoiceofthehivemindintoaconcentratedmentalblow.Dantereeledunder thecombinedsonic-psionicblast.Somethinggaveinsidehim.Hetastedbloodatthebackofhisthroat.Hismindsufferedmorethanhisbody,andhestaggeredback,dazed,hisaxedraggingthroughthesand.TheSwarmLordseizedtheopportunityandranatthecommanderagain.Danteblastedbackwards,buteven as it charged the SwarmLord assailedDantewith fresh psychic attacks, sending out a lance ofpsionic energy that cut through his armour into his leg and knocked Dante wheeling from the air. Heslammedintothegroundwithbone-jarringforce.Hisfaceslammedintohishelm,breakinghisnose.Theterror fieldhaloaroundSanguinius’goldenmaskbuckledandgaveout inaskitteringcrawlofpsychicenergy.Hisironhalo’senergyfieldfailedwithabang.

The thingscreamedagain.Dante’sbeingwasdeadenedfromthesouloutward.Hisvisionswam.Theenergyhisthirstgavehimwasstolenaway.TheSwarmLordthunderedathim,headdown,threeswordsback,readytostrike.Danteregainedenoughofhiswits just in time,activatinghis jumppackwhilehewas still on his back.The jets sent him scraping across the ancient rockcrete and sand of the landingfieldsathighspeed,drawingashowerofsparksfromhisarmour.Alarmswailedfromeverysystemofhisbattleplate.Asecond,brain-rattlingimpactshookhimasheconnectedwiththewreckofaLandRaider.Thesystemsdiagnosticsforhisjumppackwailedathighalert,reddangerrunesblinkingalloverhishelmplate.Withathought,hejettisonedhisjumppack,rollingfreeofthestutteringjumpunitastheSwarmLordbarrelledinto the tankwreckwith such force it lifted from the ground.TheSwarmLord turnedonhimquickly,grindingDante’s jump pack into a pool of fire and sunderedmetal under its broad hooves. The LandRaiderslammedbackdown.More alarms rang in Dante’s helm. On standard battleplate, a jump pack took the place of a SpaceMarine’s reactor pack, replicatingmost of its functions aswell as providing limited flight capability.Withoutit,Dantewasleftinasuitofarmourwithonlyresidualpower.He had seconds left of combat effectiveness at themost. Emergency battery icons clamoured for hisattention,barsslidingquicklydowntoredemptiness.The Swarm Lord screamed. Psychically induced horror buffeted Dante’s mind, tormenting him withdread.Danteroaredback,unafraid.‘IamoftheLordoftheBlood,’hesaid,ashebrokeintoarun,thealarmsofhisdyingarmourwailinginhisears. ‘WhatIdo, Idoforhewhomademe.Nopersonalambition ismine.NoglorydoIseek.Nosalvationformysoulorcomfortformybody.NofeardoIfeel.’TheSwarmLordswungatDantehard.Dante retaliated with a counter blow, shattering the bone sabre. Thick alien fluids pumped from thebrokenblade.Theeyesetintoitshiltrolledmadly,anditbegantoshrill.‘ByhisBloodwasIsavedfromtheselfishnessofflesh.’TheSwarmLordwasunmovedbythedeathofitssymbioticblade.Thestrokecontinueddownward,theremainsoftheswordcatchingDantebelowhisbreastplateandpenetratinghisplastron.AcombinationofDante’simpetusandtheSwarmLord’simmensestrengthpunchedthebonefragmentdeepintohisbody,penetratinghissecondaryheart,scrapingonhisspine,andexitingtheothersideofhistorso.Thecreaturesnarledinwhatwouldhavebeentriumphinanyotherspecies.Dante’sformidableprogresswasarrested.Hissingdeeply,theSwarmLordliftedCommanderDanteofftheground,armourandall.WarmbloodrandowninsideDante’sbodyglove.ToxinsleakedfromtheSwarmLord’sweapon,sendingspidersofagonycrawlingalonghisnerves.‘ByhisBloodwasIelevated.’Itwasover.HebegantheMorsVotum.TheSwarmLordliftedhimhigh,screaminginvictory,andswungitsarmdowntoflickDantefromtheblade’sshardsoitmightfinishhimonthesand.ReactivefoamsbubbledfromDante’sarmour,bondinghimfirmlytotheremnantsoftheSwarmLord’sblade.‘ByhisBlooddoIserve.’Thebeasthesitated,onlyforafractionofasecond,butitwasenough.AsitwasraisingitsremainingtwobladestocutDanteintwo,thecommanderraisedtheperditionpistol.Hisarmourdiedonhim,itssystemsstarvedofpower,growingheavierwitheverysecondashisliferanfromhisbody.Hisaimdidnotwaver.‘MylifeIgivetotheEmperor,toSanguinius,andtomankind,’heintoned.TheSwarmLord’sfacewasreflectedinthedulledmetalofDante’smask.

Sanguinius’faceshoutedsilentlyatthehivemind.Dantedisengagedtheweapon’sfailsafeswithaflickofhisthumb.‘Myservice isdone.Igive thanks.Mylife is finished.Igive thanks.Bloodreturns toblood.Anotherwilltakeupmyburdeninmystead.Igivethanks.’He fired the perdition pistol at point-blank range into the SwarmLord’s face. Its flesh liquefied andboiledoffassuperheatedsteam.ItsfirstboneswordbouncedfromDante’sarmour,rippinglongscratchesintoitsdecoration.Bloodstonesfellfromtheirmounts.StillDanteheldhisaimtrue.Thepistol’spowerpackgrewsohotwiththermalfeedbackitblisteredhisskinthroughhisceramite.Stillhedidnotrelent.Thefusionbeamboredthroughthecreature’sorganicarmour.Thermicbiogelsbledfromcavitiesinthechitin, but they could not stay the perdition pistol’s beam. The weapon glowed with white heat. TheSwarmLordrearedbackwards.Itscriesbecamegurglesasitstonguecookedinitshead.DesperatetobefreeofDante,itsevereditsownwristwithaclumsystrike.Danteblackedoutforamomentfromthepainoftheboneshardjarringhisorgansashehitthefloor.Whenhecametohewaslyingontheground.TheSwarmLordslumpedtoitskneesalongsidehim.Itsmovementswerefeeble.Keeningquietly,itfellforward,chestheaving.Airwhistledthroughitsbreathingspiracles,thenceased.Danterolledhisheadtooneside.Oneoftheboneswordslayclosetohisface.Theeyesetintoitshiltstaredhatredathimbeforedimming.Thepupildilated.Thesword,too,wasdead.Dante took a painful breath. Fluid bubbled in his lungs. His body ached all over from the tyranid’spoison.Hewasdying.Dante’sragebledawaywithhisvitae,leavinghimwithhispainandclearthoughts.Theskywasclearing.Theredandgoldeninvolutionsofthewarpstormdissipatedlikesmoke,revealinga cold night full of stars. Baal Primus and Baal Secundus pursued their relentless cosmic chase, onefallingbehind thehorizonas theother rose.Henotedwith satisfaction that the skywas emptyofwar.Therewerenoshipsvisiblebehindtheretreatingfrondsofthestorm,onlystars,andthebright,gloweringslashoftheRedScar.Peacereigned.Hisbreathinghitched.Hisheartswereslowing,hisbodywascold.Theswordsplinterof theSwarmLord ground against his ribs with each breath. Blood ran from him in a trickle too persistent for hisLarraman cells to staunch. As his body failed, his battleplate gave out finally, the helmplate displaywinking out. His dying armour was a cooling tomb, but he was calm, calmer than he had been forcenturies.Thiswashowfifteenhundredyearsofserviceended.HehadgivenascoreoflifetimestotheImperium,andhebegrudgeditnotoneday.Hesmiled.Hehaddonehisbest.Byhiseffortshadthetideofevilbeenkeptfrommankind’sdoorafewextrayears.Thathadbeenhisambition,andhehadfulfilleditahundredthousandtimes.Darknesscrept into thecornerofhiseye.Herememberedsimilar times inhis lifewhenhehadfaceddeath,thefirstashelaydyingofthirstintheGreatSaltWastesofhisyouthonhiswaytothetrials.Therehadbeenmanyotheroccasionssincethen,butthiswasthelast.Hewassurethiswasthelast,andhewasglad.He knew for certain that hewas not the goldenwarrior prophesied in the Scrolls of Sanguinius.Hewondered,inanidle,unconcernedway,whotheprimarchhadmeant.Forthelasthundredyears,hehadkepthimselfgoingwiththeideathatitwasheSanguiniusspokeof,andthathehadonefinalimportantdutytofulfil.Nowitturnedoutnottobetrue.Howdeludedhehadbeen.HisbloodsoakedintothesandsofBaal.Dantelaughed.

Darknessrushedathim.Hewelcomeditwithopenarms.

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINETHEGREATANGEL

Dantelostconsciousness.Thewayhejerkedawake,breathsharpinhislungs,suggestedthathisheartshadstoppedbeatingforatime.Thatwasthemostlikelyexplanationforthelambencywhichreplacedthedark.Hewascocoonedinthefalsewarmthofdeath.Thepainhadgonefromhischest.Agloriousarmouredwarriorstoodoverhim.Hishelmwasfashioned inSanguinius’ image, thesamefaceDantehimselfhadworntheselongyears.FivemonthsearlierafterCryptus,Dantehadlookedintothatmaskandfeltshame.Hefeltthatshamenolonger.TheSanguinorhadcometohimattheendofhisservice.‘Youcame,’hesaid.His throatwasdry,his lipsnumb.Thebeautifulvoice thathadinspiredmillionswasaharshwhisper.‘Youcameafterall.’The Sanguinor kept its silence, but stood back and flung an armwide to indicate a greater presencebehindit.Dante’s breath caught in his chest.Once again, he saw the face of Sanguinius, but thiswas nometalrepresentation.Thefacewasofflesh,thewingsthatspreadeithersideofhisbodywerewhitefeathers,notcoldsculpture.Hisbodywasas realashis sorrow.Heshone likeadesert sun in the fullgloryofnoon,abringeroflightdangerousinitsincandescentpower.‘Myson,’Sanguiniussaid.‘Mygreatestson.’Theprimarchreachedouttohim.Dantewasonhisback,butatthesametimeitwasasifhefloatedinanimmensevoid,andSanguiniushoveredinfrontofhim.Andyet,whentheprimarchcried,his tearsfellforwardontoDante’sface.Allreality’sorderwasdisturbed,butthisfeltlikenodreamorvision.WhenSanguinius’glowingfingerstracedthelineofDante’scheek,theyweresolidandwarm,andtheybroughtintohimasenseofpeaceandholyjoy.‘Youhavesufferedgreatlyformankind’ssake,’saidSanguinius.Hisvoicewasbeautiful.‘Youhavewonyourrestathousandtimes.Rarelyhasonemangivensomuch,LuisofBaalSecundus.Youhavebeenalight indark times. Iwouldgiveyouany reward. Iwould takeyou tomyside. Iwould freeyou fromstrife.Iwouldreleaseyoufrompain.’

‘Yes!’saidDante.‘Please.Ihaveservedsolong.Grantmethefreedomofdeath.’SanguiniusgaveDantealookofprofoundsorrow.‘Icannot.IregretthatIcandononeofthosethings.Ineedyou,Dante.Yoursufferingisnotdone.’SanguiniusgrippedDante’sface inbothhands.Strengthflowedfromtheprimarch,drivingoutdeath’scomfort and replacing itwith pain.The scene rippled.He heard the shouts ofSpaceMarines, felt theghostlytouchoflivinghandsuponhisarmour.Sanguiniusfaded.‘Please,no!’Dantecriedout.‘Mylord,Ihavedoneenough.Please!Letmerest!’Thelightwasdying;Sanguinius’smilecarriedwithitthesorrowsoftenthousandyears.Darknesswasreturning.TheGreatAngeldisappearedintoit,buthisgloriousvoicelingeredamoment.‘Iamsorry,myson,thatyoucannotrest.Notyet.Live,myson.Live.’Dantereturnedtolifescreamingforthemercyofdeath.HandswerealloverDante,holdinghimdown.Sharppainsintrudedviahisneuralshunts.‘No,no,no!Nomore!Takemewithyou!Ibegyou!’Danteshouted.Helashedoutwithhisfist.Metalhitmetal.‘Holdhim!Holdhimdown!Heiscominground!’Dante’svisionfocusedwithstubbornslowness,resistinghisattemptstosee.ASanguinarypriestleanedoverhim,framedagainstapredawnsky.Itwasnotthepristineheavensofhisvision,butnorwasitthedomain of war. The bio-vessels of the hive fleet were gone. In their place were thousands of lights,pickingouttheshapesofhundredsofImperialshipsatlowanchor.Hehadnotimetoprocessthissight.Hismind buzzedwith pain and stimulants. The priest had his right hand pressed hard againstDante’schest.ClearlinesranfromhisnartheciumintotheholeinDante’sbattleplate,conveyingbloodanddrugsdirectlyintohisprimaryheart.Thebladehadgonefromhisbody,butthewoundwaswideopen;hecouldfeelthewetnessofhisexposedorganschillinginthecoldofBaal’snight.‘FortheloveoftheGreatAngel!Holdhimdown!’shoutedthepriest.Afaceloomedoverhis.‘Dante!Commander!ItisI,CaptainKarlaen.Calmyourself,please,mylord.Youaregravelywounded–letAlbinusdohiswork.’Dantesteeledhimselfagainsttheagonyenoughtostopthrashing.‘K-Karlaen?’‘Yes,mylord,’saidthecaptain.HeworepowerarmourinsteadofhiscustomaryTerminatorplate,andhisusualdournesswasreplacedbyhappiness.Tearsranfreelydownhisbareface.‘Wefoundyou.Wehavefoundyou!’‘Good,good!’saidAlbinustosomeoneatDante’sside.‘Thatisright!Holdthemthere.Ihaverepairedthedamagetohissecondaryheartandalmosthavethewoundclosed.Ihaveitstapled,butitistoodeepforittoshutitselfquickly.Itrequiresalittlehelp.’AplasmaspikejettedfromAlbinus’narthecium.‘Myapologies,LordDante.Yourbattleplatepharmacopoeiaisinactive,sothismaysting.’In themannerofdoctors throughouthistory,Albinusplayeddown thehurt.Dante roaredwithpainasAlbinuscauterisedDante’swound.‘Steady,steady!’Albinussaid.Hisbrowknittedwithconcentration,heplayed theplasma torchalongDante’schest,liquefyingtheskin,makingitruntogether.‘Nearlythere!’Dantebuckedinvoluntarily.Hissecondaryheartrestartedtopoundalongsidehisfirst.Hisgiftsfloodedhis system with synthetic chemicals but they could not staunch the pain without the help of hispharmacopoeia.Thejetshutoff.Albinussprayedacooling,healingmistoverhiswound.Thepainreceded,leavingahotthrobbing.‘Thathurt,’gaspedDante.‘Willhelive?’askedKarlaen.

‘Hewill live,’ saidAlbinus.Hegotup.Hiswhite and redarmourwascovered inblood,muchof itDante’s.‘Canhestand?’askedKarlaen.‘Yes,’saidDante.‘No,’saidAlbinusatthesametime.Danteignoredhim,grittedhisteethagainstthepainandforcedhimselfuprighttodiscovertheworldhadnewsurprisesforhim.Firstly, the body of the giant hive tyrant was being enthusiastically sawn up by a clade of MagosBiologans.Secondly,strangeSpaceMarinesstoodguardoverthem.Theyworeredandgold,andallthecoloursandtrappingsoftheBloodAngelsthemselves.Saveinoneregard their liverywas identical–apalegreychevroncut through theChapteremblemupon their leftpauldron.Theywereunusually large,being taller andbroader thannormalAdeptusAstartes, and theirarmourandweaponry,thoughofImperialmake,wereofunfamiliarpatterns.‘Mylord,youshouldrest.Waitforabier.Wewilltakeyoutothecommandcentre,’saidAlbinus.‘Liedown.Rest.’Dante shook his head. ‘Karlaen, howdo you come to be here?Who are thesewarriors?’He peeredcloselyathisFirstCaptain.‘Andyou?Youhaveaged!Whatisgoingon?WhatisthenewsfromCadia?’Albinus thrustacanteenofwateratDante.Thecommanderaccepted it anddrained it.His thirstwasgreat.‘Theanswerstothesequestionsarenoteasytogive.Itisbestyousee,mylord.Asfortheseothers,theyare like us, yet not like us,’ saidKarlaen.He smiled broadly, the look of aman privy to a profound,joyous,metaphysicaltruth.‘Theyareanewbreed.ThesavioursoftheImperium.’‘Theseinourcoloursarenottheonlyones,’saidAlbinus.‘Thereareothers,ofdifferinggenelines.’‘Differinggenelines?Whatdoyoumean?’One of the strange warriors came forward. He wore codex standard sergeant’s insignia. In everysuperficialwayhewasaBloodAngel.Heremovedhishelmet,andDantefoundhimselflookinguponthefamiliar countenance of a man reworked by Sanguinius’ gene-seed. ‘We are the Unnumbered Sons ofSanguinius,mylordDante,’saidone.‘WearePrimarisSpaceMarines,andwehavecometoyouraid.’‘PrimarisSpaceMarines?Wherehaveyoucomefrom?’Dante’sbewildermentovercamehis injuries.‘Whoseisthatfleet?’ThesergeantlookedtoKarlaen.‘Captain,mightI?Icouldperhapsexplain.’‘Wait,Anthus,’ saidKarlaen. ‘I said it isbestyousee, lordcommander. It isawonderwordscannotexpress.Wewilltakeyouthere,toseehim.Canyouwalk?’DantegaveAlbinusadefiantlook.‘Yes.’Albinusgavearesigned look. ‘Verywell.Someonebringhimabackpack.Lethisarmouraidhim,asbestitcan.’Karlaen helpedDante to his feet.An intact reactor unitwas retrieved from a corpse and fastened toDante’sarmour.Powersurgedbackintoit,andthealarmsbegantotollagain.Hesilencedthem.‘Thisway,mylordDante,’saidSergeantAnthus.‘Ourlordawaitsyou.’

TheyledDantegentlybythearm.Helimped,hisbrokenarmourgrindinguponitself.Bloodleakedfromhis wounds, but he would not allow any to help him, and they went slowly because of it. The skycontinuedtoclear,solittleofthewarpstorm’swrithingsremained.MorningwascominginthepinkandblueofBaal’snaturalhues.Imperialfightersroaredthroughthedawn.Gunspoundedfaraway,Imperialartillery,not theshriekinghorrorsof thehive fleet,yet itwasalldreamysounding,quietasharvesting

machineryinthesummerdistancesofanagriworld.Theincessantchitteringandscreechingofthetyranidshadgone,ashadtheimmense,mind-flayingpressureofitspsychicpresence.Insteadofaseaofmonsters,DantesawLegionsof the tall,unfamiliarSpaceMarines,many in thecoloursofhisownChapter.TheSonsofSanguinius,Karlaencalledthem.Dante’sthinkingwasconfused,thethirststillnippedathisheelsandhisbrainwasstarvedbylackofblood.WhenhelookedtohissidetoseethepersonhelpinghimhesawAlbinussometimes,butatothertimeshesawtheSanguinor,andoncehisown,long-forgottenfather,hisambereyesperfectinarad-ravagedface.Dantehadthoseeyeshimself,thesolereminderthathewasanotherman’ssonbesidestheGreatAngel’s.‘Comeon,Luis,’saidhisfather.‘Notfarnow.’‘Da?’saidDante.‘Da,isthatyou?Lookatme,look!Ibecameanangel,Da.’‘Mylord?’Hisfather’sfaceshiveredawaylikeamirageoveradesert.Albinus’concernedfacereplacedit.‘Mylord,weshouldstop.Youaregravelywounded.Pleaseallowustohelpyou.Letuscarryyou.’‘Givehimaid,’saidKarlaenimpatiently.‘No!’commandedDante.‘Iwillwalk.Nohelp.Notyet.Imustwalk.’Thathedidsoforpenancehedidnotsay.They took him to a landing zonewhere fortifications were springing from the sand. Ships screameddownfromthesky,depositingwallsectionsnearheavyhaulers.Bunkersdroppedfromorbitcametoastoponscreamingjetsovertheirsites,positioningthemselvescarefullybeforeshuttingofftheirrocketsandslammingintoplace.Thousandsof thenewSpaceMarineswere there.ThiswasnotaChapterormultipleChapters, theseweretheLegionsofold,reborninnewceramite.DantestaggeredagainstAlbinus.Handsgrabbedathim.‘Youneedtorest,mylord,’saidAlbinusagain.‘Iwillnot,’slurredDante.‘NotuntilIhaveseenthismiracleformyself.’Wideroadsweremarkedoutbybarrackblocks.Therewerethousandsuponthousandsofmenofeverykindinthecamp.Thecampwasorganisedsuperlativelywell,notaprefabricatedbuildingoutofplace,anditwasgrowingrapidly.The centre remained the centre, no matter how wide the perimeter grew. There was a campaigncastellumundergoing the final stages of assembly.From its four corners fluttered large flags of cobaltblue, theultimaofUltramaremblazonedon them in silver thread, its armsembracing theaquilaof theImperium,andcrownedwithalaurelwreath.Afamiliarinsigniawithanewtwist.Wonderbuilt uponwonder; standingguard at the topof the stairs leading to thegateswere thegold-armouredwarriors of theAdeptusCustodes,whom long-livedDante himself had seen onlywithin theprecinctsoftheImperialPalaceuponTerra.TheysalutedtheapproachingpartyofBloodAngels.Thegateswhiskedopenwithsharppneumaticsighs, revealingmorehonourguard, theseUltramarinesveterans.Awarriorinthebattleplateofacaptainsteppedforward.‘Iwelcomeyoutothecastellum,LordCommanderDante,’hesaid.‘Ourlordiswaitingforyou.’‘Sicarius?’saidDante.‘Isthatyou?’‘Itis,mylord.Itisgoodtoseeyoualive,’theUltramarinesaid.‘Areyouhurt?’‘Ofcoursehe’sdamnedwellhurt,Sicarius,’snappedAlbinus.‘Takeustohim,beforethecommandercollapses!’Sicariusheldouthishandapologetically,indicatingthewayDanteshouldgo.Ultramarinesof theold typegaveway to tall examplesof thenewkind.They stamped their feet and

stoodtoattentionasDantewearily limpedtowards thecentralcommandnode’sarmouredgates.Theseopenedathisapproach.DanteshookoffAlbinus’armatthethresholdandsteppedthroughasproudlyashecould.Uponathroneofpureadamantium,surroundedbyhundredsofpristinestandards,satalivingmiracle,agiantwarrior clad inblue andgold, his expression fair yet stern, amassivegauntlet upononehand, ahuge,scabbardedswordrestinguponhisknee.Nowheunderstood thesignificanceof theswordmissing fromhisvision.Theswordof theEmperorwastherebeforehim,uponthepersonofalivingprimarch.RobouteGuillimanhadcometoBaal.Therewasnomistakingit.Dantehadseentheprimarchbefore,shutawayinastasisfieldintheFortressofHeraonMacragge,wherehehadsatasecondfromdeathformostoftheImperium’shistory.Butherehewas,aliveandbreathing.The primarch’s physical presence hit Dante hard. Guilliman was nobility writ large, a monument inflesh.Hewas overwhelming. Ignoring the hurts of his healingwounds,Dante fell to his kneeswith aclatteranddroppedhishead.‘Canitreallybetrue?Isitreallyyou?Doyoulive?’Theprimarchstoodandsethisswordaside,andcamedownthesteps.‘Getup,Dante,’saidGuillimangently.‘Iwillnotacceptdisplaysofhumilityfromamanlikeyou.Youareoneofthefewinthiserawhohaveearnedtherighttospeakwithmeonequalterms.Rise.Now.’Dante gruntedwith pain as he attempted to get to his feet.Guilliman graspedDante’s pauldrons andbodilyhauledtheChapterMasterup.‘Forgivetheindignity,’Guillimansaid.‘Iseeyouarehurt.’Dantenoddednumbly.‘Neverkneelbeforemeagain.Iwillhaveyoustandwithmeasamarkofrespect.IwillorderyounottoifImust.Iwouldratherourrelationshipnotfunctiononthoseterms.Ihavenotimefordeference,thereistoomuchtodo.Though,ifyourpainsaregreat,youmayofcoursesit,’hesaidwiththeghostofasmile.‘Isthisadreamoravision?’‘Neither.Ilive.IhavereturnedtosavetheImperium,’saidGuilliman.‘Forgiveme,mylord.’Dantehadtostepbacktolookhimintheeye.‘Ifailed.IcalledtogetheralltheChaptersoftheBlood,andlostthemalltosaveBaal.TheArxAngelicumisinruins.ThousandsofSpaceMarinesaredead,andBaalisdevastated.’‘Forgive?’saidGuilliman.‘Thereisnothingtoforgive,Dante.Youstoppedthem.Whenwearrived,thehivefleetwasgreatlydepleted,andeasilydestroyed.Aswespeak,theIndomitusCrusadeisscouringthissystemof the last remnants of the tyranids.Youhave achievedwhat fewothers have, anddestroyed amajorhivefleettendril.Iwouldcongratulateyou,butthereisnothingIcansaythatencompassesthescaleofwhatyouhaveachieved.’GuillimanputahandonDante’sshoulder. ‘YouhavesavedBaalfromthehivemind,CommanderDante,andwithitthegreaterpartofthissegmentum.’Atthat,Danteweptfreely.‘Iamsorry,Iamsorry,’hesaid.‘Ialmostlost.Ialmostlosteverything.Pleaseforgiveme.’‘Thereisnothingtoforgive.’Dante did not hear. Overwhelmed by his hurts and the luminous presence of a living primarch, hecollapsedtotheground.

CHAPTERTHIRTYNEWBLOOD

Uiguishivered.Itwasahotday,evenintheshelteroftheruinedArx,buthewasfreezingcold.‘Colderthanadesertnightinhere,’hesaid,histeethchattering.‘D-d-d-da?’saidtheboy,hissimplefacechildlikewithworry.Evensoclosetodeath,Uiguiwasaffrontedbytheboy’sstammer.‘Stopyourfussing.Iwillbefine.’Whathewantedtodowasreassurehisboy,totellhimthattheyhadstoodontheveryheightsoftheArxMurusandwatchedtheSpaceMarinesruntotheirdeath,thattheyhadfiredthegreatcannonstocovertheAngelsofBaalastheyfoughttheirfinalfight.Thattheyhadwitnessedalivingprimarch,tosharetheiraweattheseeventsasfatherandson.Butresentmentanddisappointment,andnotalittlefear,gotintheway.Aflyingthinghadshothim.Wereitnotfortheboypushinghimoutoftheway,hewouldbedead.Hewantedtothankhissonforthataswell,buthejustcouldn’tbringhimselftodoit.Everypositivethoughtwasasolewarriorarrayedagainstanarmyofbittermemories.‘Da?’‘Iwillbewell,’hesaidcrossly,andturnedhisfacefromtheboy.Theywaitedforhoursinthewreckedgalleryalongwithhundredsofothermortalmen.Uiguihadnotimebeforetothinkaboutthefortressmonastery, terrorhadgot intheway.Nowpeacehadreturnedhesawhowfinethefitmentsoftheplacewere,eveninthatsimplecorridor,war-batteredasitwas.Suchluxury.Itdidnotseemfairthattheprotectorsshouldlivesowellwhentheprotectedwallowedinpoverty.Theapproachofanangelinwhitedistractedhimbeforehisthoughtscouldturntrulyheretical.Theangel’sarmourgleamedas ifnowarhadbeenfought there.His insigniawaspristine.Hemovedamong the battered conscriptswith exaggerated care, as if he feared to step on them.Baseline humanattendantsinequallyspotlessuniformsassistedhim.‘Hey!Hey!’calledUigui.Theangelignoredhim.‘Waityourturn,’oneofthehumanassistantssaid.

‘Yeah,shutup,’saidthemansittingslumpednexttohim.Uigui’steethclenchedatasuddenagonyfromhiswound.‘Iamhurt!’hesnapped.‘Manyarehurt,’saidtheangelwithoutlookingup.Uiguisankbackagainstthewall,shiveringwithapoisonfever.Hedozedalittle,forwhenhelookedupagaintheangelwastoweringoverhim.‘Nowitisyourturn,’saidtheangel.HekneltbesideUigui.Ridiculously,heremindedthewatersellerofhisfather.Astheangelinspectedhiswound,soefficientlyUiguisuspectedhimofbeingperfunctory,Uiguisawtheyoungerconscriptsbeingledaway.‘Whatareyoudoingwiththeboys?’Uiguiyelpedwhentheangelproddedhiswound.Theangelstopped.‘Wehonourthem,’hesaid.‘Ihaveorderstoassessthemall.’Helookedoverattheboy.‘Isheyourson?’Uiguigrittedhisteeth.Itwashardtoadmithewastheboy’sfather,evennow.‘Yes.Yes,heismyson.’‘Ishehurt?’‘No!Iamtheonewhoishurt!’saidUigui.Thepainwasgettingtohim.Somethingwasmovinginthemeatofhischest,hewassureofit.Hewasscared.Theangelglancedat theboy,whostaredback inawe.Theangel lookedcloser. ‘Thisscarringonhishead…Howdidhecomebyit?’‘Anoldwound,’saidUigui.Theangelreachedouthisleftarm.Adevicebulkedoutthearmour.Avicious-lookingdrillheadpokedoutfromacowlontheunderside.Ontheuppersideofhisforearmwassetasmallscreenandanumberofbuttons.TheymeantnothingtoUigui.Theangeldepressedabuttononhisarmandwavedhishandovertheboy’shead.Hisfingertipslitupwithvioletlight.Theboyblinkedfearfullyatit.‘MysonwasselectedatthelasttrialtogotothePlaceofChallengetwosummersago,’explainedUigui.‘Hewasabraveboy,cleverandstrongwhenhewent,thenyoubrokehimandsentmebackthisfool.’Thedevicehummed.Theboytriedtobebrave,buthislipquivered,ontheedgeoftears.‘Afool,really?’saidtheangel.‘Hemusthavefoughtbravelyifhelivedthroughthedevastation.’Uigui’slipspressedthin.Healmostmentionedhowhissonhadsavedhislifetwice.Almost.‘Howdidithappen?’askedtheangel.‘Thiswoundthatdisqualifiedhim?’‘Anaccident,soIwastold.Heslippedonaclimbandbangedhishead.’‘Thenhewaslucky.ThereareahundredwaystodieatthePlaceofChallenge.’‘Hissurvivalwasacurse.’AhackingcoughafflictedUigui.Whenitsubsided,hismouthwasfullofafoultasting,meatygrit.Theangel’sinstrumentmadeasweetnote,andhedroppedhiswrist.‘Isee,’theangelsaid,hisvoicebeautifulandcold.‘Hehasminorbraindamage.Iamnotsurprisedhewasrejected.Wetakesofew,anyflawisenoughtoeliminatethemfromtheprocess.’‘Wouldyouhavetakenhimhadhenotfallen?’‘Possibly.Hisgeneticsareamatch,andfreeofthemoreegregiousBaalitedeviations.’Hepaused.‘Heisapositivematchforgene-seedintegration.’‘Soyouwouldhavetakenhim?’saidUiguibitterly.‘Wewould,hadheprovenhimself.Iwouldsayhehas.Letmesee.’Theangelpaused,lookingintoaninner space. ‘He has, he had, a fine brain, before his mishap.’ He paused again. ‘The damage isreparable,’ he said.Hemuttered something thatUigui could not hear, andwaited for a response, thenturnedtotheboy.‘Youareaccepted.Youaretobeanangel.’Theboy’sfacelitup.

‘What?’saidUigui.‘Areyoujoking?’‘Itisunusual,Iadmit,’saidtheangel.‘ButtheChaptersoftheBloodareshattered.Manyaredestroyed,mostareseriouslyundermanned.CommanderDantehasdecreed thatallBaaliteyouthsof therightageandgenecodearetobeimmediatelyinductedasneophytesintooneoftheChaptersoftheBlood.Wecanrepairhismind,andhewillservetheEmperor.’‘Theyouthsyouaretakingaway,youarerecruitingthem?’saidUiguiincredulously.‘Iftheyarecompatible,likeyoursonhere.Iftheyarenot,theywillbeofferedthechoiceofallaspirantswho fail the gene test. They may return home, or they may serve the Chapter as blood thralls. Inrecognitionoftheircourageinthefaceofthetyranids,youunderstand.Wepayyouagreathonour.TheLordGuillimancomeswithmachinesandknowledgetomakeabetterkindofSpaceMarine.Aneweradawns.’‘Thishasn’thappenedbefore,hasit?’askedUiguiuncertainly.‘Itisunprecedented,citizen.’‘Whataboutme?’saidUigui.Theshiverscameonagain.Therewasburningpaininhiswound.Theangelleanedbackoverhim.Heseemedevenmoremassivewhenhedidthat.Theangelreachedupacold,metalhandandtouchedUigui’sface.‘Iamsorry.Youwilldie.Youhavebeencontaminatedbyaxenosgene-forgebio-organism.Itwilleitherkillyou,orturnyouagainstus,andthenyouwilldie.’Uigui’smouthhungopen.‘Iamtodieandyoutellmelikethat?’Hewasfindingithardtocontrolhistempertoday.‘Allthingsdie,’saidtheangel.‘Nothinglastsforever.Allmenknowthis.HowelseamIsupposedtoinformyou?’‘Lookintoyourdamnedmachine,’Uiguisaid.‘Youarewrong.Iwillbewell.’Theangel soundedgenuinely regretful. ‘I donotneed to.The signs are clear. I amsorry.’He lookedawayasecond,thenreachedswiftlyroundandgrippedthetopofUigui’shead.Uigui stared into the glass eye-lenses of the angel. They looked back at him, neither judging norcondemning.Uiguilookedtohisson.‘Anangel,eh?’Hesmiled.‘A-a-a-areyouproudofme,Da?’saidtheboy.Uiguinodded.Hecouldthinkofnowordstosaytomakeupforthewayhehadtreatedhisson.Alookofidiotinnocencemadetheboy’sfeaturesdoughy,butUiguicouldseetheboyhehadbeen,andthemanhemighthavebecome.Allthatgrief,allthathate,turnedagainsttheonehehadloved.Nowhehadreachedtheend,hewasnumbtoitall,andsoverytired.Mostofall,hewasdumbfoundeditwasallover.Deathwaslife’sgreatexpectedsurprise.Hisboymightstillbecomethemanhealwayshopedfor.Hemightstill.‘Whatisyourson’sname?’askedtheangel.Uiguiscreweduphiseyes.‘Iamsorry.’‘Whatishisname?’‘Teus,’saidUigui.‘HisnameisTeus.’Adamofsorrowbrokeinhim.Tearswelledatthecornerofhiseyes.‘Andwhatisyourname,fatherofTeus?’‘ItisUigui.IamUigui,thewaterseller.’‘Then,Uiguithewaterseller,doyouacceptthe Emperor’smercy?’theangelaskedintonesofinfinitekindness.Uiguiclosedhiseyes.Thegripoftheangel’shandonhisheadwascoldandfirmwithoutbeingpainful.

‘Yes,’hewhispered.‘Iaccept.Teus,Iamsorry.Iamsosorry.I–’‘Da!’Theangeltwisted.Thecrunchofbonewassuddenandfinal.Uigui’sheadlolledonabrokenneck.Theangelstoodandspoketomentheboycouldnotsee.‘CleansingteamtotheGalileanWalk.Ihaveacontaminatedbody.’‘Youkilledmyda!’saidtheboy.Theangellookeddownattheboy.‘Thiswasmercy,notmurder.Hewouldhavediedinpain,andwouldhavewishedforaswifterendbeforethepoisonkilledhim.Hewasbraveandwise,attheend,atleast.Hetookkindnesswhenitwasofferedoveragony.’Theangelreachedouthishand.‘Itismisfortuneyouwitnessedhisdeath,buttherearemanythingsweneverthinktosee,’saidtheangel.‘Whatwassunderedcanagainbemadewhole.Bethankful.Weliveinanageofwonders.Comewithme,behealed,andbecomemybrother.’Hesitantly,theboystood.Withabackwardglanceathisfather’scorpse,heallowedtheangel’sthrallstoleadhimaway.

GabrielSethreturnedAmit’sReliquaryinthesamemannerinwhichithadbeengiven,insecretandindarkness.HewaitedforDanteinthecatacombsfarundertheArxAngelicum.Litbyasingleredcandle,thedustysarcophagi of forgottenwarriors lined shelves carved into the rock.Therewere thousands of them, innichesthatwenthigherupthewallthanhecouldsee,curvingawayintotheabsolutedarknessofBaal’sunderworld.Somuchartistrywasthere–everynichecarved,everysarcophagusaperfectrepresentationoftheuniquewarriortheycontained,allofithiddenforever.Pointless,thoughtSeth,thoughashedidsoheheftedthetubecontainingthereliquaryanddoubtedhisownopinion.Therewasapermanenceinartnotfoundinlife.Thetyranidshadnotfoundtheirwayinsodeep.Thedeadsleptundisturbed.Perhapstheywouldhaveremained there until the sun burned itself out had the xenoswon, a relic to be uncovered by the nextspeciesarrogantenoughtoproclaimitselfmasterofthegalaxy.Suchstillnesswasthere,suchpeace.ItonlyaccentuatedSeth’ssimmeringrage.Hisdoublepulseroaredinhisearsinthemarmorealsilence.Hismusclescreakedwithtension.Hestoppedhisfistsclenchingonthereliquary’scontaineronlybyadirectactofwill.Poisedbetweenthesilenceofthedeadandexplosive,uncontrollablefury,Sethwaitedwiththepatienceofawell-balancedswordinitssheath:still,butdeadlynonetheless.InthedarknessthenearlysilentpurrofDante’smaster-craftedarmourgrowledasloudlyasanenragedwolf.Seth’sluminatorsnappedon,strikingscintillatingreflectionsfromDante’sgoldenplatethatmovedoverthefacesofthesarcophagi.SuchwastheeffectofSanguinius’deathmaskbathedinlightthatSethalmostknelt reflexively. He remembered Appollus’ chiding, and grunted in anger, forcing himself to remainstanding.‘Gabriel,’saidDante.‘Itisgoodtoseeyouliving.’Hispurevoiceechoedoffinthedistance,revealingthevastnessofthecatacombs.‘Commander,’saidtheMasteroftheFleshTearers.Heheldoutthetube.‘Iamreturningthistoyou.’Dantelookedattherelic.‘Igaveitfreely,’hesaid.‘Itwasnotyourstogive,’saidSethgruffly.‘Besides,athingofthisworthandbeautyhasnoplacewithus. Better it stays here with you. I have seen the fate of my Chapter in the face of Sentor Jool. If

Sanguinius’featherremainswithus,itwillbelost.’‘Very well.’ Dante grasped the tube. ‘If you insist.’ Seth released it to his care. ‘My brother. Yousurvived.YourChapter faced rage incarnate, and it did not fall. TheKnights ofBlood could not tearthemselvesfromthefight.Theywereinthrall totheflaw.Youarenotthey,youhaveprovedthat.Yourfateisnottheirs.’‘No,’Sethshookhishead;hisfrowngrewdeeper.‘No.Itwasnotlikethat.TheKnightsofBloodthoughtthemselves toomonstrous to return toBaal.Theysacrificed themselves.Theychosewhere todie, theyfoughttheembodimentofrage,andtheydidnotfall.Itwasacleanendforacorruptedbloodline.Therewillbenosuchblessingformywarriors.Withouttherelic,itmayhavebeendifferent.Ipraytowhoeverislisteningthatwecanfindsimilarpeace.’‘Itwillnothappentoyou,’saidDanteinsurprise.‘GuillimanbringsenoughnewwarriorstorebuildalltheChaptersoftheBlood.’‘NottheKnightsofBlood.’‘Notthey,’admittedDante.‘Thatnameistoocursedtoresurrect.Letthemberememberedfortheirfinalheroic act. But the Flesh Tearers will be reborn. Guilliman is a living primarch. He will save theImperium.Hebringsmorethanreinforcement.Thenewwarriorswillsaveourbloodline.Whereweareflawed,theyarenot.Thereislittle,ifany,signoftheflawamongthePrimarisSpaceMarines.Corbulotellsme thatwherehe failed,BelisariusCawlhassucceeded,eliminating the instabilityat source.Notoneoftheminthelong,hardyearsoftheIndomitusCrusadehasfallentotheBlackRage.Whenqueriedonthethirst,themajorityareperplexed.Theysimplydonotknowofit.Corbuloisamazed.’‘That is salvation, is it?’ saidSeth. ‘I sayotherwise. I say it is adeliberateactionagainstour lord’sheritage,andtheworkoftheEmperorhimself.’‘Howcanyousaythat?’saidDante,appalled.‘Youare toonoble tounderstand.’Seth roundedonDante. ‘That isnotsalvation, that isreplacement.These newwarriorswill bear the colours of FleshTearers, butwithout Sanguinius’ fury theywill beFleshTearersinnameonly.AllmytimeasChapterMasterIhavewagedwaronourrage,towrestleitintosubmissionanduseitsstrengthtoslayourfoes.Wearefury!FromthetimeofAmit,thesavagelord,tothisday,wehavecarriedthewhiteheatofSanguinius’angerinus.Thatwasourgiftandourburden.Theflawiswhatmakesuswhatweare.’HeclenchedhisfistinfrontofDante’sface.Hisvoicedropped.‘Wearenothingwithout the struggleagainst it.HewouldmakeusallUltramarines in redarmour.’Heturnedaway,hisgazestrayingdownthedead legionsofBloodAngels. ‘Therearefewofmywarriorsleft,fewtrueFleshTearers.Oncewearedead,theFleshTearerswillbenomore,nomatterthattheseabominationscarryourname.It isabetrayal,notaboon.Guillimanwillwantusgonequickly,andhisownwarriorsinourstead.’‘Gabriel!’Sethwavedhishand.‘Openyoureyes,Dante.TheseUnnumberedSons,theyareLegionsinallbutname.I have spoken with the newcomers. They are only too glad to tell me of the Avenging Son’s plans.WhereverGuillimangoes,heleaveshismeninplace.Throughthecodex,hegavetheAdeptusAstartestheirindependence.Heismorethanwillingtoremoveitfromus.Soon,theChapterswillbefreeinnameonly.And thesenewSpaceMarines,hehas thegall to interferewith theworkof theEmperor. Ifhe iswillingtodothat…’Sethfellsilentsuddenly.‘Whatareyousuggesting?’saidDantequietly.Sethmulledhiswordsover,evenashisangertriedtoforcethemoutofhismouth.Hewouldnotspeakatrage’s behest, but decided to say them in calmness. They needed to be said. ‘If he is regent,why notEmperor?’

‘Whatyousuggestistreasonous!’‘Mywords,orhisactions?’snarledSeth.Hedrewhimselfuptothefullnessofhisconsiderableheight.‘Becarefulofhim,LordofBaal.Beverycareful.’Withoutwaitingforareply,Sethwalkedawayintothedarkness.

Once again, Dante stood upon the Arx Murus. With him were the remaining officers of his Chapter.CaptainsBorgio,Karlaen,Aphael,Phaeton,MachivaiandSendini,SanguinaryHighPriestCorbuloandBrotherAdanicio.Astorath had returnedwith the primarch, andMephiston had dug himself out of theCruorMountains,returningfromdeathoncemorewithalargerpartofthelibrarius.Thatwassomething,atleast,thoughtDante.Mostofhisotherspecialistofficersweregone.‘Thisisallofus,then,’saidDante.Hetookinthebatteredremnantsofhishighcommand.Theylookedbackathimgrim-faced.Theirarmourhadbeenrepairedandrepainted,butwarhadmarkedtheirflesh,andseveralofthemhadlivedalifetimemorethanDantethankstothetemporalfluxinducedbythestorm.‘TheChapterwillberebuilt,mylord,’saidAdanicio.‘Theprimarchassuresme.’‘Itwillnotbethesame,’saidKarlaensadly.‘Today is a historicmoment,’ saidMephiston. ‘Thenext time the lordsof ourChapter gather so, ournumberswillbeswollenwithnewblood.WearethelastconclaveofBloodAngelsSpaceMarinesevertobe.Fromhenceforth,thePrimariswillbegintoreplaceusuntilwearenomore.’‘Everythingischanging,’saidDante.Hewelcomedit.LetSethrage.The view they looked upon was unimaginably different to what had been before. The dunes wereflattenedbythepassageofmillionsofhoovesandclaws.Whereitwasnotsmooth,thedesertwasmarredbythousandsofcraters.Althoughthesewerealreadyfillinginwithwind-blownsand,theoutlinesofthelargestwouldbevisibleforcenturiestocome.Somuchxenosbloodhadbeenspilleditcrustedthedesertover,preventingthesandfrommovingasitwould.Therewasno rain towash it away.Curlsof sandhissedover thesehardpansofbakedvitae,unabletofindpurchase.Duneswouldbelonginrisingthere.Whentheydid,theichoroftyranidswouldleaveapermanentmarkinthegeologyofBaalbeneaththem.MuchoftheArxAngelicumwasinruins.Theoutertierswerethemostbattered,havingtakenthebruntofthetyranidattack.TheunderlyingstoneoftheArxwasdurable,andoncetheravagesofbio-acidwerepolishedover,itwouldgleamagain,buttheturretsandbastionswerewrecked,theirweaponscastdown,and allwould need rebuilding.Many of the statues that had adorned the exterior had fallen andweresmashedbeyondrepair.Evenupontheredoubtthetyranidshadlefttheirmark.TheBasilicaSanguinarumwas heavily damaged. The Citadel Reclusiam was a windowless shell; only the attached Tower ofAmareowasuntouched,andthatwassilentforthefirsttimeinthousandsofyears.AshatteredstumpwasallthatremainedoftheslenderspireoftheArchangelian.TheSanguisCorpusculum,astherepositoryoftheBloodAngelsstocksofvitae,slavevatsandotherbiotech,hadbeenransacked.Corbuloregardedthesoot-stainedremainsofhisdomain,andpronouncedhimselfglad.‘Wesurvived,’hesaid.‘Wewon.Wewillrebuild,betterthanbefore.’‘Notallchangeisforill,’saidAstorath.Plasteelwalkwaysbridgedthebreachesinthewall-walkoftheupperArxMurus.Mostoftheparapethadbeensweptaway.Thoughithadbeenmadesafe,theremainsoftheDomeofAngelswereyettobecleared, and its jagged shards still clustered at the volcano’s rim. The void shield genatorum was ahollowinBaal’scrust.TheHallofSarcophagiwasirredeemablyprofaned.InsidetheWellofAngelsthesituation was similarly dire. Bolt craters pocked every surface. The Verdis Elysia was a strippedwasteland. Thousands of windows set into the throat wall were broken. No corner of the Arx was

untouched.Notonestatuewasunmarked.Millenniaofartandhistoryhadbeendestroyedinthreeweeksofviolence,whatwasleftdirtiedforeverbyxenoscontact.AsingleSanguinaryGuardstoodwatchover thegatheringofhismasters.Caraeus,hewascalled.Hewas the lastofhiskind, and thereforewould soonbemadeExaltedHeraldofSanguinius.Newguardwould be selected.Dante had a plethora of heroes to choose from now, but for themoment, Caraeuscompletedhisdutyalone.SoitwasthroughouttheChapter.‘Alreadystepsarebeingtakentosetthingstorights,’saidAdanicio.‘Theprimarchhasbroughtwithhimvastresourcesforpeaceaswellaswar.’Hegestureddownatthescaffoldingcoveringthelowerlevels,whichwascreepingcloser to the twinsummitsby theminute.Adaniciowasmoreenthusiastic thanhispeers.InGuilliman,thediligentmasterofthelogisticiamhadfoundakindredspirit.‘TheArxAngelicumwillbeaverydifferentplace,’saidDante.‘Ithasneverenduredsuchadevastatingattack.Itwillneverbethesameagain.’‘Ourbondswithourprimarcharefrayedalittlefurtherbythelossofsomuchhistory,’saidKarlaen.‘Aye,’saidSendini,‘buthisbrotherwalksamongus.Thatisafairtrade.’‘HeisnottheGreatAngel,’saidCorbulo.‘Heiswithus,nevertheless,’saidKarlaen.Dante listened to thequiet talkofhisbrothers.Somanyhaddied.Castigon,Raxietal,Zedrenael, andSendrothhadallfalleninthedefence.BehelmorandAsanteslainastheBladeofVengeancecamedown.Asyetfirmcasualtynumberswereunavailable,butDantedidnotexpectthetotalsurvivorsoftheBloodAngelstoexceedthreehundred.OthersoftheBloodhadfaredfarworse.EightChaptershadbeenentirelywipedout,halfadozennearlyso,tothepointwheretheywouldneverrecover.Mostoftheotherscouldboastnomorethanacompanyortwoofwarriors,andnoneremainedatabovehalfstrength.Hundredsofwarmachines,dozensofships,thousandsofwarriors,allgone.‘IfthehivemindhadtrulyintendedtowipeoutSanguinius’line,itfailedbythenarrowestofmargins,’saidDante.‘Butwehavewon,’repeatedCorbulo.Heofallofthemwasthemostoptimisticforthefuture.The fortressmonasteryplayedhost to thenewbreedofSpaceMarine.Therewere thousandsof themwearingSanguinius’coloursalone.Formationsofthemmovedinthedesert,replacingthewarriorsDantehadlostinhisdefenceofBaal.Theirstrangeshipssoaredthroughtheskies,theirtanksgrowledoverthesandsonanti-gravfields.Asnovelastheywere,thesemachineswouldremainunfamiliarforonlyashorttime.‘Perhaps this scouring clean of the Arx Angelicum is for the best,’ said Borgio. ‘A new fortressmonastery for a new Chapter. The old days are over, the days of the Space Marines are done. ThePrimarisholdthekeytoman’ssurvivalinthisterribleage.Aneweraisdawning,oneourprimarchfatherwouldnotrecognise.’‘The galaxy is in great peril,’ said Dante. He looked heavenward. During the day the CicatrixMaledictumpaintedawrithingbandacross thesky.Atnight itdominatedeverything.Thewarpstormswere over, but the northern half of the galaxywas denied the light of theAstronomican. ‘Half of theImperiumisatriskofdestruction,andontheothersideoftheriftisinlittlebettershape.’‘ImperiumNihilus,’saidAstorath.‘Whathorrorsawaitusoutthere?TheIndomitusCrusadehasfoughtallmanneroffoes.Manyofourworldshavefallen.’KarlaenandtheresthaddonetheirbesttobringDanteuptodateonallthathadhappenedinthewiderImperium. Since Cryptus fell less than sixmonths had passed fromDante’s subjective point of view.BeyondBaal,seventyyearshadgoneby.TimehadbeenbentoutofshapebytheopeningoftheGreatRift.

Dantefoldedhisarms.Theartisanshaddoneagoodjobrestoringhisarmour.Burnishedgoldgleamedagain.ThedamagetoSanguinius’maskwasrepaired.Morethaneverhefeltlikeafraud,apretendertotheprimarch’sglory.Nowhehadmetone…Nowhehadmetone.Thethoughtwasstillwondrous.He was a relic, like Seth. A golden statue from a doomed age. Maybe the Imperium was finished,primarchornot. If it survived itwouldhave to change.Everythingwas in flux.Forone thousand fivehundredyearsDantehadseentheImperiumlockedinastasisofitsownmaking.Inahandfulofdaysthecertaintyofmillenniahadbeensweptaside.Guillimanpromisedreform.Old as he was, weary as he was, Dante was glad he had lived to see this day. He would serve.Sanguiniushimselfhadcommandedit,andsoitwouldbedone.Dantevowednevertosharethatvisionwithanyone,notevenRobouteGuilliman.Whetheritwererealinanyobjectivesensewasnotimportant;ineverysenseitwastrue.Thecertaintyofservicecalmedhistroubledthoughts,butonethingnaggedathim.Sanguinius’prophecyhadnotbeendisprovedafterall.ThegoldenwarriorwouldstillbeneededtostandattheEmperor’ssideinthefinaldays.Perhapshehadavitalpartyettoplay.PeacehadcometoBaalforatime.Warrackedtheheavens.Hehopedtheprophesieddayswouldnotcometopass.HeprayedthatSanguiniuswaswrong.If that time when he stood at the Emperor’s side were to come, it was not yet. Clatters of industrysounded across the desert again. The fleets of the Imperium crowded Baal’s orbits. Hundreds ofthousandsofwarriorswalkeditssands.Hisplacewasthere,fortheforeseeablefuture.A heavy yetmeasured tread hadDante turn away from the view. RobouteGuilliman approached thegroupunarmoured,anapologetic lookonhisface,adata-slate inhishand.Dantehadseenthe toolsofadministrationintheprimarch’shandmoreoftenthanhehadweapons.TheofficersoftheBloodAngelsceasedtheirconversationinstantlyandkneltrespectfully.‘MylordCommanderDante,BloodAngels,mayIjoinyou?’‘Ofcourse,mylord.Weareyourservantstocommand,’saidDante.Hedidnotkneel,astheprimarchhadcommandedhimnotto,buthewantedto.‘Mylords,’Guillimansaidtotheothers.‘IfyoumightgivemeafewmomentsalonewithyourChapterMaster,IhaveafewmattersIwouldliketodiscusswithhim.’GuillimanimpressedDantewithhisknackforcommand.Hisorderssoundedmorelikeinvitations.The others leftDantewith the primarch.Last to gowasMephiston.Of all the surviving lords of theBloodAngels,hehadchangedtheleast,perhapsbecausehehadalreadydriftedfurthestfromthem.HesharedaninscrutablelookwithDante,anddeparted,hiscloaksweepingtheairbehindhim.Theprimarchdidnotspeakimmediately,but leanedontheparapetandlookedoutat thetroopsinthedesert. The parapet’s height relative to Guilliman’s ownmeant he had to hunch to rest upon it. Hugemusclesbunchedunderhisclothes.AllhislifeDantehadbeentoldtalesoftheprimarchs.Thestoriesdidnojusticetothebeingthatstoodnext to him, not in terms of his power or stature, forDantewaswise enough to know the stories hadexaggeratedtheseattributesoftheprimarchsbeyondbelief.Therealsurprisewasthatthestoriesdidnojustice to the primarch’s humanity. Hewas completely human, concentratedly so, as if the essence ofmankind had been distilled a hundred times and poured into a giant’s body. Beyond human, butmorehumanforbeingso.Hewasaperfectexemplarofsacredmankindineveryway,exceptingthethickropeofascarthatranlopsidedacrosshisthroat.The primarch swept his gaze across the desert, nodding approvingly to himself.When his eyes metDante’sagain,Dantefeltacommonbondinsteadoftheimperiousgazeofademigod.InGuilliman’seyes

weresorrowandambition,impatienceandhumour,lossandresolve.TheyweresentimentsDanteknewonlytoowell,althoughdespitethisopennessoffeeling,Guillimancouldnothelpbutbecommanding.‘AreyousureIamnotdisturbingyourconferencewithyourwarriors?’‘Wehadnothingofimporttodiscuss,’saidDante.‘Wemerelytookamoment’srestfromourlabourstoobservetheworkhere,andreflectonoursalvation.’‘Youdeserverest.Youhavefoughthardforalongtime.’Guillimantappedthedata-slate.‘Myhistoritorshavestruggledtocreateaconcisehistoryofyourlife,sonumerousareyourdeeds.’‘Thereisnorest,notwhileoneenemyoftheImperiumlives,’saidDante.‘True.NeitherprimarchnorLegionesAstartesweremadetobeidle,’Guillimansaid.Hedrewinadeepbreathasaprecursortochangingthesubject.‘Myworkhereisalmostdone.TheremnantsofthetyranidsareallbutextirpatedfromBaalandBaalSecundus.Theyareaterribleenemy.Theywouldbedifficulttodefeatwithoutourotherfoes todistractus.This timehasaplenitudeofhorrors toshowme.Youhavedonewell.’‘WhatevervictoryIwon,andthatisdebatable,LordRegent,itisnotenough,’saidDante.‘It is aswell ascanbeexpected,’ saidGuilliman. ‘Thishive fleet, theLeviathan, ithasbeendealt apowerfulblow.Thistendrilhasbeenwipedout.Youhavesavedbillionsoflivesthroughyoursacrifice.Iwouldsaythatisenough.Ileavethissectorincapablehands.’‘Youareleavingthen,mylord?’Guillimannodded.‘Soonenough.Iamgladtohavearrivedhere in timetosaveyou.Itwillmakemytaskalittlelessimpossible.’Hesmiled.Theysharedthejoke.Thetaskwasimpossible.‘Iwillseeyourworldssecurebeforemovingon.’He lookedoutagain; findingwhathesawsatisfactory,he turnedhisbackonthedesertandlavishedhisfullattentiononDante.Ittookallthecommander’swilltoholdhisgaze.‘The genesis machines are operating correctly. You will be able to begin creating Primaris SpaceMarinesofyourownwithintheweek,andputallthesenewneophytesyouhavecreatedtouse.Itrustmywarriorsaresettlingintotheirnewquarters?’‘Theyare,mylord,’saidDante.Itwashethatneededtoadjust,notthey.TheArxnolongerfeltlikehishome.TheoldergenerationSpaceMarineswereinadecidedminority.‘Good.ThereareenoughofthemtobringalltheSanguinianbloodlineChaptersbacktofullstrength.Iappreciatetheadjustmentforyouwillbedifficult,buttheyareexperiencedwarriors,andmighty.IamintheprocessofestablishinganumberofnewChapters,alsoofyourgene-father’sbloodline.’‘WewillextendtothemthesamefriendshipwedotoalloftheBlood,mylord,’saidDante.‘Iknowyouwill,anditisgoodthatitisso,forbeforeIgoIshallformalisetheobviousinfluenceyouhaveoveryourbrotherChapters.’Hebecamedistantamoment.‘Nowisthetimeforgreatleaders.’‘Mylord?’Guilliman’seyesrefocused.‘Tothatend,myMechanicushavebeguntheworktorecoverthewreckoftheBladeofVengeance.Itcanbesalvaged,anditwillberebuilt.’‘Theefforttotakeitintothevoidalonewillbemonumental,mylord,’saidDante.‘Ihavetheresources,Dante.IwillexpendthemasIseefit.’‘Ithankyou.Itisafinegesture.’‘Itisnogesture.Youwillneedit.’GuillimanplacedahanduponCommanderDante’sshoulderandsmiledsadly.‘Listen,sonofmybrother.Youhavewitnessedmuch,Isenseinyouyourweariness.TheEmperornevertoldmehowlongtheSpaceMarinesweresupposedtolive,butIsuspectheneverenvisagedanylivingquitesolongasyou.’

‘Iamweary,mylord,itistrue,butIshallnotstintinmyservice.’‘Idonotthinkyouwill.AsIunderstanditfromtheserecords,youhavecarriedthemantleofImperialheroforaverylongtime.Iamherenow,myson.Benolongerafraid.Putasideyourweariness.Youneednotmasqueradeasmybrotheranylonger,forarealprimarchwalksamongmenagain.’‘Imeantnodeceptionorpridefulness,mylord.’Guilliman smiled and squeezed Dante’s pauldron. The metal creaked at the pressure his bare handexerted. ‘I know plenty about men being worshipped when they would rather not be. The error is acommonone,anditisnotyours.Youhavenothingtofeelshamefor.Iofferyourelief,notcondemnation.Removeyourhelmet.’DantetookoffSanguinius’mask,exposinghisagedfeaturestoGuilliman’sscrutiny.TheprimarchhadseenhimwithoutarmourwhileDanterecovered,buthefeltnakedbeforeGuilliman’sgazeinawayhehadnotbefore.‘ImustsoonleaveImperiumNihilus,’saidGuilliman.‘MyfinalmissionherewastoreinforceyouandyourChapter’ssuccessors,toshoreupthedefenceoftheImperiuminthissegmentum.To…’Helethiswords die in hismouth, and began again. ‘Dante, I am afraid I amgoing to add to your burdens.TheBloodAngelsandtheirsuccessorsareneededmorethanever.Youneednolongerallowmentoseeyouasmy brother, but I cannot let you retreat from the role of hero. I am going to name youWarden ofImperiumNihilus,commanderofallImperialforcesnorthoftheGreatRift.ImustreturnovertheCicatrixMaledictum soon.Now I have found someonewhowill strive inmy stead, Imay.The situation here,thoughdire,isnotasbadasIfeared,whilethatintheImperiumremainsparlous.’‘Iunderstand.Iwilldomybest.’‘YourbestismorethanIcouldwishfor.’Guillimanlookedoverhead.BaalPrimusandBaalSecunduscontinuedtheirslowwaltzaroundBaalastheyalwayshad,onlyBaalPrimuswasnowdead,anduponthesouthernhemispherethedaemonicruneofKa’Bandha’snameleeredinbrightwhitebone.Theskullsofmillionsoftyranids,fromvoidshipstovermingatherers,hadbeenstackedtocreatethesigil.‘Lookatthat,’saidGuilliman.‘ThearroganceoftheNeverbornremainsasgreatasiteverwas.Butitiswewhoremain,anditiswewhoshallprevail.Dante,thereisalessertaskIwillsetyou.’Heliftedhishandup to encompass threeworlds. ‘These planetswere hells. For generationswehave recruited thestrongovertheweak,inthebeliefitmakesourwarriorsbetter.Idonotthinkthisisso.Cruelmenmakecruelwarriorsmakecruel lords.Weneed tobebetter.Weneed to riseover theneedforviolenceandrecogniseotherhumanqualitiesinourrecruits.YourChapterhaseverunderstoodthis.Ifwedonot,thenwewillfallpreytoourworstexcesses,thekindofthingthatthatrepresents.’HepointedatKa’Bandha’sname.‘Ithaslongbeeninyourcapabilitytotransformtheseworlds.BaalPrimusisdead,butyouneednotletyourremainingpeoplesufferunnecessarily.Willtheyfightanybetterfordwellingonaworldthatkillsthem?BysacrificingtheirchildrentotheEmperor’sservice,theyhaveearnedabetterlife.Onceyouhave torn that blasphemy down, raise up the population of Baal Secundus. Teach them what we arefightingfor.Alinemustbedrawnbetweenwhatisgoodandwhatisevil,foriftheGreatEnemycomeswithoffersofpower toawretch,what reasondoeshehave to refusehell ifhedwells in it already?’Guillimanwas tense.Dantehadnot expected that in theLordofUltramar.Guillimanwas impatient tochangethings.Hewasangeredbywhathehadfounduponhisrebirth,andhewasnothidingit.‘You must find the strength to continue, Commander Dante,’ said Guilliman. ‘There are very fewwarriors like you in the galaxy anymore. I need every exemplar of heroism I can find. Please do notdisappointme.’‘Iwillnot,mylordregent.’Guilliman smiled at him again, and reached out to Dante. Dante extended his hand. The primarch’s

fingersengulfedhishand,gauntletandall.‘Iknowyouwillnot.Iamcountingonyoutoprovemeright.’

Fourteenweekslater,theIndomitusCrusadepulledawayfromtheBaalsystem.Behinditlefttheskeletonofneworbitalsandshipyardsovertheprimeworld,andmultipleshipsofMechanicusfleetsattendingtotheirconstruction.DantewaitedforeveryenginestacktoburnbrightontheshipsbeforesendingtheordertohisownfleettoopenfireonBaalPrimus.Bloodcallersymbolicallylooseditstorpedoesfirst.Thedaywasclear.BaalPrimuswaslargeinthesky.Dantecouldtrackeachflaringcyclonictorpedoasitfelltowardsthedeadmoon.TheassembledfleetsoftheBloodwereashadowoftheirformerselves,butmightyenoughtokillaworldnevertheless.RobouteGuillimanwenttoafierysalute.RingsofflameburstonBaalPrimus’airlessplains,goneassoonastheyweremade,butpotentenoughtorenderKa’Bandha’smonumenttobonedust.Macrocannonsjoined the demolition, and lances, until all the force of the SpaceMarineswarfleetwas employed inerasingthedaemon’sname.Guilliman’s ships rapidly receded into twinkling lights, leavingDante an insurmountable task. DantelookeddownfromthetopoftheSanguisCorpusculum.Chaptersinliveriesoldandnewlookedback.‘Mylordwarden,’saidAdanicio,kneelingandofferinguptheAxeMortalistoDante.‘TheChaptersoftheBloodawaityourcommand.’Dantetookthehaftofhisweaponinsilence.Slowlyheraiseditoverhishead.‘ForSanguiniusandtheEmperor!’heroared.‘ForSanguinius!FortheEmperor!’tensofthousandsofPrimarisSpaceMarinesroaredback.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

GuyHaleyistheauthoroftheHorusHeresynovelPharos,thePrimarchsnovelPerturabo:TheHammerofOlympiaandtheWarhammer40,000novelsDante,Baneblade,Shadowsword,ValedorandDeathofIntegrity.HehasalsowrittenThroneworldandTheBeheadingforTheBeastArisesseries.HisenthusiasmforallthingsgreenskinhasalsoledhimtopentheeponymousWarhammernovelSkarsnik,aswellastheEndTimesnovelTheRiseoftheHornedRat.HehasalsowrittenstoriessetintheAgeofSigmar,includedinWarStorm,GhalMarazandCallofArchaon.Helives

inYorkshirewithhiswifeandson.

AnextractfromShieldofBaal.

TheblackfleshofthevoidwastornasunderbyasuddeneruptionofredasBladeofVengeance,flagshipoftheBloodAngelsfleet,thunderedintorealspace,weaponsbatteriesroaringoutabrutalannouncementofarrival.Moreshipsfollowed,plungingoutofthewarplikecoursinghounds.Themassedbatteriesofthe fleet joined those of the flagship in a dull, pulsingwar-hymn. The burning remains of theCryptusSystem’sdefencemonitorsweresweptasidebythesong,thedetritusoftheirfinalheroicstandagainsttheenemywashedawaybyvolleyaftervolleyofhigh-poweredenergybeams.Theaudienceforwhomthissuddenperformancewasintendedwasnotappreciative.Thevastshapesofthe outlying bio-ships of the tyranid hive fleet, their bloated, shimmering forms faintly reflecting thedeadly red light of Cryptus’s twin suns, reeled and shuddered like wounded animals as the fusilladecrackedtheirshellsandrupturedthesoftcontents.TheBloodAngelsfleetsweptforwardswithslowdeliberation,bombardmentcannonssweepingasidetheswarmsofescortdroneswhichleaptfromtheflanksofthemassivebio-shipsandspiralledintodeathwithunseemlyeagerness.SuchwastheconsideredopinionofCaptainKarlaen,ashewatchedtheperformanceunfoldthroughthemassive vista-port of the flagship. Shipsmoved across his vision, pummelling one another in a granddanceoflifeanddeath,dutyandinstinct,honourandabomination.Thearched,cathedral-likespaceofthevessel’s tacticum-vaults echoedwith the relentless song of war. Karlaen could feel the roar of everycannonadethroughthedeck-platesbeneathhisfeetandintheflickerofeveryhololithdisplayasenemyvolleysspatteredacrossthebattle-barge’svoidshields.This battle wasmerely a microcosm of a greater engagement which now spread across the CryptusSystemandtheRedScarSector.ThemonstrousshadowofHiveFleetLeviathan,astheOrdoXenoshadclassified this particular xenos incursion, stretched across countless worlds, being envelopingSegmentumsUltima,TempestusandSolar.WorldswerebeingscouredcleanbytheGreatDevourer,andeventhemostsacredsitesoftheImperiumwereunderthreat,includingBaal,homeworldoftheBloodAngels.Whenthebow-waveofHiveFleetLeviathanwashedacrosstheCryptusSystem,theImperiumhadmetitwithallofthestrengththattheAstraMilitarum,AdeptaSororitasandthehouseholdtroopsoftherulingFlaxianDynastycouldmuster.Butorbitaldefencesandmassedgun-lineshadprovenunequaltothetask.Withinacycle,tyrannicsporesweredarkeningtheskiesofeverymajorworldwithintheCryptusSystem.Andnow,atlast,theBloodAngelsandFleshTearersSpaceMarineChaptershadarrivedtodeprivethemonsterof its feast.Though thesystemwas lost, theycouldat leastdiminish thebiomass that thehivefleetmightrecycleanduseagainstBaal.AllofthispassedacrossKarlaen’smindashewatchedtheBloodAngelsfleetengagetheenemy.Battlewasathingofvividcolourandriotousfury,eveninthecold,airlessvoidofspace,andhefeltsomethinginhimstirasheconsideredit–likeapersistent,redhumdeepbelowthesurfaceofhisthoughts.Ithad

beenwithhimsince thedayofhisSanguination,but familiaritydidnotbreedaffection.His reflectionstaredbackathimfromwithintheslightlyshimmeringsurfaceofthevista-port.Abatteredface,bluntandsquareandlackingallbutatraceofitsformergoodlooks–acidscarspittedhischeeksandjaw;hishairwas a grizzled golden stubble that clung stubbornly to his scalp and his nose had been shattered andrebuiltmorethanonce.Abioniceyeoccupiedoneruinedsocket,andthemagna-lensoftheprostheticorbwhirred to lifeasheexaminedhis reflection, seekingout someniggling imperfection thathecouldnotname.Hewasclad,aswashisrightandhonourascommanderoftheFirstCompany,intheblessedplateofTerminatorarmour.ItwasthetoughestandmostpowerfulformofpersonalarmoureverdevelopedbytheImperium ofMan: a heavy blood-red shell of ceramite-bonded plates, chasedwith gilding and brass,reinforcedby sectionsofplasteel andadamantiumandallof itpoweredby thickbundlesofelectricalfibresandinternalsuspensor-plates.Ithadtakentwentyred-robedChapterserfsanddull,cog-brainedservitorstoencasehimwithinit,hoursearlier, when the prospect of a boarding action first reared its head – they had worked feverishly,connectingfibrebundlestonodesusingspidery,mechanicallimbswhichpossessedtheinhumandexterityrequired for such a precise task.Others had cleared air and build-up from the pistons and pneumaticservo-musclesthatenabledhimtomove,whiletheseniorserfs,theirgildedmasksbetrayingnoemotion,polishedtheceramitewithsweetsmellingunguentsandblessedoils,awakeningtheprimitivesouloftheancientrelic,stirringittowrathfulwaking.Thearmourwasheavyandpowerful,and,inthosemomentswhenhesuccumbed to the lureofpoetry,Karlaen thought that itmightbe theclosest thinggoing to theWordoftheGod-Emperormadeharshreality.Karlaenraisedahand,hisfingerstracingtheoutlineoftheCruxTerminatusonhisleftshoulderplate.Itwas said that the symbol containeda shardof theEmperor’sownTerminator armour,whichhadbeenshattered in that final, catastrophic duel with the Arch-Traitor in ages past. At the thought, Karlaen’sbreathhitchedinhisthroat,andhisvisionblurred,astheredhumgrewlouder,nowpoundingwhereithadpulsed,as ifa thousandhammerswerebeatingon thewallsofhis skull, fighting tobe free.Foramoment, his vision blurred, and he saw a different face, not his own familiar battered features, butahandsomeandradiantfacewhichherecognisedbutcouldnotname,twistedinlossandpainthelikesofwhichnomortalcouldbear,andheheardthesnapofgreatwings,andfelttherushofheatandpainandhisfingerstouchedthesurfaceofthevoid-hardenedglass.He closed his eyes. Swallowed thickly. Opened his eyes. He looked up at the stained glass whichmarked the circumferenceof the vista-port. It showed scenes from Imperial history – the discoveryofSanguiniusonBaalSecundusbytheEmperor;Sanguinius,angel-wingedandradiant,takingcommandoftheNinthLegion;otherscenes,dozens,hundreds,alldepictingtheglorioushistoryoftheBloodAngels,ahistorywhich had shapedKarlaen, andmade himwho hewas today. I amKarlaen,he thought. I amCaptainoftheFirst,theShieldofBaal,andIamtruetomyself.Iamnotflesh,tobesweptupintheblood-dimmed tide,but stone.Andstonedoesnotmoveoryield to those redwaters,nomatterhowtheycrash.Thehumfaded,hammerblowsbecoming taps,and thepressure retreatedas italwayshad.Irritatedwithhimself,heconcentratedontheworldbeyondthecurtainofvoidwar.Asphodex–itwasaninelegantwordforaninelegantworld.Beyondtheshifting,shimmeringdistortionof the battle-barge’s void shield, behind the bloated shapes of the bio-shipswhich clustered about itsatmosphere likefeeding ticks,Asphodexroiled in itsdeath throes.Themagna-lensofKarlaen’sbioniceyewhirredtoitsnextsetting,bringingtheworldintostarkrelief.Theheavygreycloudswhichshroudedthe atmosphere were shot through with infected-looking strands of purple, each one squirming withbillions of tiny shapes. The lens clicked again, focusing on the bio-ships clustered about the world’s

poles. As theymoved across the atmosphere, he could see corresponding disturbances in the clouds.Someonejoinedhimatthevista-port.‘Theyarefeeding,’Karlaensaid,outloud.‘Yes,’SanguinaryHighPriestCorbulosaidsoftly.Cladincrimsonpowerarmouredgedwithwhite,hewasthespittingimageofthefacewhichhauntedtheblackdreamsandredmemoriesofKarlaenandeverySpaceMarine of the BloodAngels Chapter. His voice, too, throbbed at the roots of Karlaen’smind,stirring to life ancient thoughtswhichwere not his own. Corbulowas a ghost, thoughwhether of theChapter’spastoritsfuture,nonecouldsay.‘Thatiswhattheydo,captain.’‘Theywillstriptheplanetofalllifesoon,’Karlaencontinued.HehadseenplanetscaughtinthegripoftheGreatDevourer before, and had calculatedAsphodex’s chances of survival on an idlewhim. Theplanetwasdoomed.HelookedatCorbulo.‘WhyamIhere,MasterCorbulo?Ishouldbemakingreadyto–’‘Towhat,CaptainKarlaen?’Corbuloasked.Hisvoicewasgentle,butresonant,likethecrashofwavesagainstadistantshore.He lookedatKarlaen,andhiseyescaughtandheldKarlaen’sown.Theyweredeepandpaleandpowerful,andKarlaenfelttheredhuminhisheadgrowinstrength.Helookedaway.‘Youareexactlywhereyoushouldbe,captain.’CorbulospokewithsuchsuretythatKarlaencouldnothelpbutfeelanatavisticthrillcoursethroughhim.‘Asyousay,master,’Karlaensaid.Hekepthisfacestiffandstill.Corbulosmiled,as ifhecouldsenseKarlaen’s reluctance. ‘Icannothelpbut feelas ifyoudoubtme,brother,’hesaid.‘Detectingdoubt–orworry,anger,oranyotheremotionfor thatmatter–onKarlaen’sface isaskillakintothedetectionofgeologicalshiftsonBaal,Corbulo.Onemustknowwheretolookforcracksinthestone.Isn’tthatright,brother?’BothKarlaen andCorbulo turned asCommanderDante,ChapterMaster of theBloodAngels, strodetowardsthem,hisgoldenartificerarmourgleaminginthereflectedlightofthehololithsthatstuddedthetacticum-vaults.Hisfeatureswerehidden,asever,behindthegoldenmaskwhichwassaidtohavebeenmodelledonthefeaturesofSanguiniushimself.Karlaeninclinedhishead.‘Asyousay,commander.’DantelookedatCorbulo.HegesturedtoKarlaen.‘Yousee?Stone,’hesaid.‘KarlaenistherockuponwhichtheFirstCompanystands.’HelookedatKarlaen,hisgazetakingineverythingandmissingnothing.Karlaen,forhispart,couldonlyholdhissuperior’sstareforafewmomentsbeforeitbecameunbearable.Dante was the oldest living Space Marine in the Imperium who could still function outside of thesarcophagus of aDreadnought, and he carriedwith him theweight of historywherever hewent. LikeCorbulo,hisverypresencestirredtheredhuminKarlaen’sheadtofretfulagitation.Karlaenmadetosinktooneknee,butDantegesturedirritably.‘No,’hesaid.‘No,Iaminnomoodforsuchgesturestoday,captain.’Stung,Karlaenstraightened,thejointsofhisarmourwheezingandhissinginprotest.Dantecrossedhisarms and gazed up at the vista-port. The flagship shivered slightly around them, and the void shieldwrithedasitwasstruck.Dantesaid,‘Report,captain.’Onfirmergroundnow,Karlaenclearedhisthroat.‘Thefirstwaveoftheassault ispreparingfortheirdescent to Phodia,’ he said, referring to the principal city of Asphodex. He did not think it tactful tomentionthat,asCaptainoftheFirstCompany,heshouldhavebeenoverseeingthosepreparations.‘You arewonderingwhy you are here, rather than there,’Dante said. Itwas not a question.KarlaenlookedatCorbulo.‘Yousee,heistoodisciplinedtoask,thoughIhavenodoubtthatcuriosityiseatingathim.’‘Disciplineisthearmourofaman’ssoul,’Corbulosaid.

Karlaenlookedbackandforthbetweenthem,vaguelyconcerned.Whenthesummonshadcome,hehadnotknownwhat toexpect.Was thehonourof leading thevanguard tobe takenfromhim?Thequestionwould not have occurred to him, once upon a time. But now, after…His mind shied away from thethought.Shadowsclusteredattheedgesofhismemory,andvoicesdemandedtobeheard.Heclosedhiseyeandshookhishead,banishingshadowsandvoicesboth.Whenhe lookedup,he realised thatbothDanteandCorbulowerewatchinghim.Corbuloreachedoutandclappedahandtohisarm.‘Ihearthemaswell,brother.Doyouwishtoknowwhattheysay?’heasked,hisvoicebarelyaboveawhisper,andhiseyesfullofquietcontemplation.KarlaenignoredtheSanguinaryPriestandlookedatDante.‘Iwishonlytoknowwhatisrequiredofme,mylord.IamtheShieldofBaal,andIwouldserveasyouseefit.’Dantewassilentforamoment.Then,hesaid,‘Youarestillleadingtheassault,captain.AndPhodiaisstill your target.But I requiremore than simple battlefield logistics fromyou this time.’He looked atCorbulo.TheSanguinaryHighPriestsaid,‘AugustusFlax.’Karlaenblinked.‘TheGovernorofAsphodex.’PartofhisresponsibilitiesasCaptainoftheFirstwastoknow everything therewas to know about potential battlefields – everything fromweather patterns tocultural dialects was of potential importance when planning for war, and Karlaen had studied andsynthesisedallofit.Hekneweverythingtherewastoknowabout theFlaxianDynasty,anditscurrenthead.AugustusFlaxhadassumedthegubernatorialseatatthetenderageofseventeenstandardTerranyears,afterhisfather,the previous office holder, had beenmurdered by separatists in a civilwarwhich had briefly, thoughbloodily, rocked theCryptusSystem.Flaxwasanoldmannow,andhis reignhadbeenanunmitigatedsuccess,asfarasthesethingswereconcerned.Karlaenfeltasmallstabofpityfortheman–thesystemhehadreportedlyfoughtsohardtoretaincontrolofandholdtogetherwasnowbeingdevouredoutfromunderhim.‘Yes. I – we – need him found, brother.’ Corbulo looked towards the vista-port. Silent explosionscascadedacrossthefaceofthevoid,asshipscontinuedtheirduel.Karlaencockedhishead.Questionsfilledhismind,butheclampeddownonthem.Hiswasnottoquestion,merelytoserve.‘ThenIwillfindhim,MasterCorbulo,’hesaid.‘Heorhischildrenwilldo,’Corbulosaid.‘Failingthat,asampleoftheirblood.’More questions arose, but Karlaen ignored them. If Corbulo was here, and this mission was beingundertakenathiscounsel,thentherecouldbeonlyonereasonforit.Corbulo’soverridingpassionwasnosecret.TheSanguinaryHighPriesthadonedesireaboveallothers: theeliminationof thetwinplagueswhich afflicted the sons of Sanguinius, whether they were Blood Angels, Flesh Tearers or AngelsEncarmine.CorbulohaddedicatedhislifetounravellingthesecretsoftheRedThirstandtheBlackRage,and had spent centuries on the hunt for anything which might alleviate the suffering of Sanguinius’schildren.Karlaenbowed.‘Itwillbedone,onmyhonourandthehonouroftheFirstCompany.OrelseIshalldieintheattempt.’Hestraightened.‘Iwillneedtorequisitionagunship,oradroppod…’‘Speedisoftheessence,brother,’Dantesaid.‘Timegrowsshort,andAsphodexdiesevenaswespeak.Thisworldwill be consumed by the beast, andwe do not have time for you and yourArchangels toattempt an entry from orbit,’ he said. ‘Report to the teleportarium.Yourmenwill bewaiting for youthere.’‘Teleportation,’Karlaensaid.Hegrimaced.TherewerefewthingsthatcouldstirtheembersoffearinKarlaen’s heart, but teleportation was one of them. There was something wrong with it, with how it

worked.Therewasno control, noprecision, onlyblind luck.He shookhimself slightly.Heknew thatDantewouldnothaveauthoriseditifitwerenotnecessary.Countlessbattleshadbeenwonwithjustsuchastrategy,andKarlaenreassuredhimselfthatthistimewouldbenodifferent.HelookedatDante.‘Asyoucommand,mylord.Iwillnotfailyou.’‘Youneverhave,captain,’Dantesaid.Karlaen turnedawayand tookone last lookat thewar-tornheavens and thedyingworld.Therewasnothingbutbloodanddeath lurkingbeneath thosegreyclouds. IfAugustusFlax,oranyofhiskin,stilllived,itwouldnotbeforlong.Yethisorderswereclear.ItwashisdutytofindAugustusFlax,andtheShieldofBaalwouldseeitdone.

AnextractfromShieldofBaal.

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