Chapter 144

---3rd Person POV, Next Morning---

Completing the last of their deployment preparations, as dawn broke over the Imperial defensive line on Sangua Terra, Victor walked onto a makeshift stage to address the Imperial Forces. Standing behind a podium, his visage and voice broadcast to all Imperial forces, the Primarch began speaking to all those listening.

"The Imperium of Man is on the brink of collapse; leadership may tell you it is not, but every one of you has seen the signs with your own eyes. Vital Agri-Worlds have been burned to the ground, resigning billions of Imperial citizens to a slow, agonizing death by starvation. Countless Imperial worlds have been ransacked by the forces of Chaos, their populations either dead or reduced to slave labor. Billions of our fellow brothers and sisters in arms have died needlessly because of traitors hidden amongst us.", Victor said, looking into the eyes of the troops, "These factors, and many more, have steadily chipped away at your steadfast faith in the Imperium's future. Deep in your hearts, you have begun to wonder if there is a future left worth fighting for. I am here to tell you there is, and I can show you a glimpse of it right now!"

Projecting dozens of construction projects currently underway in the Segmentum Pacificus region, Victor gave them a glimpse of the Imperium's future. Converting once barren and destitute worlds into comfortable, vibrant cradles of life, the troops were dumbstruck by what they were witnessing. The inhabitants of these planets, transferred Imperial citizens from overcrowded Hive Worlds, were enjoying a comfortable lifestyle not seen since the Age of Technology. Children were running around playing games together, clean water and modern appliances were installed in every home, and food was widely available at affordable prices… it was everything the average citizen could ever dream of.

"This is the future we are fighting for; the very same one the Emperor of Mankind foresaw over ten thousand years ago! The sacrifices of your ancestors, fallen comrades, the Imperial people, and you have not been in vain; the future begins here and now! In a few decades, sights like these will be commonplace throughout the Imperium.", Victor proclaimed, slamming his fist onto the podium, inadvertently causing it to collapse. "The Emperor of Mankind, his Primarchs, Abbess Vahl, and Supreme Grandmaster Draigo have all come here today to secure this future for everyone, but we cannot do this alone. We need you, the Imperium's most brave and unyielding defenders, to stand beside us to safeguard this future for all! Can we count on you this day to join us?"

Unleashing an unrivaled battle cry, the Adepta Sororitas, Adeptus Astartes, Adeptus Custodes, Adeptus Mechanicus, Astra Militarum, and Navis Imperialis poured their hearts out, showing their determination to bring about an age of peace and prosperity. Nodding his head in satisfaction, several magic circles appeared in front of Victor as he raised his right hand.

"I expected nothing less from the Imperium's shields and swords. Allow me to bestow upon you a gift to aid you in the battle ahead of us today!", Victor stated, his voice brimming with magical power, "Bless! Death Ward! Heroism! Holy Weapon! Shield of Faith! War Cry!"

Imbuing the Imperial forces with six powerful buffs, every soldier and their personal weapons began glowing brightly as the magic took hold. Feeling their hearts and minds calm, as their strength increased drastically, the troops looked up at Victor with awe and reverence.

"Every one of you now possesses the power and strength necessary to bring the forces of Chaos to their knees!", Victor shouted, with absolute confidence, "We are the light that will chase away the darkness that has swallowed the Imperium of Man! When the enemy sees us on the battlefield, show them the defiant fire burning in our hearts! It is time for us to reclaim what they have stained!!"

Crying out into the void, the Imperium's defenders let it be known that they were ready to save their homeland. Giving the order for all forces to steel themselves for combat, as he opened Force Storm for Battle Group Lambdax, the Imperator Somnium, and the Phalanx, Victor wished everyone the best before ending the broadcast. Waiting for all the ships to crossover into the Dharrovar System, he promptly closed the portal and gave the automatons the go-ahead to begin awakening the pylons.

"Alright, is everyone ready to head out?", Victor inquired, turning to the forces heading to Sigil.

"Of course, Lord Stark.", Draigo said, with a firm nod.

"The Order of Divine Lamentations is with you!", Ionica stated, saluting me.

"Ready to move when you are.", Amallyn remarked, flicking the safety on her rifle off.

"Alright then, it is time to slay a Greater Daemon and a horde of daemons!", Victor shouted, opening a portal to Sangua Terra's moon. "Let's get in there!!"

As he led the charge onto Sigil, the pylons began to stir from their slumber. Pushing against the Eye of Terror and Great Rift, both began to rapidly recede as the skies over Sangua Terra and Vigilus returned to what they once were several decades ago. Feeling the shift immediately, the enemy began to raise the alarm as millions of weaker daemons were cast back into the Warp. Flooding out of their strongholds, enemy forces began racing toward the pylons, hell-bent on destroying them before it was too late.

---Sanguis System---

As the Sanguis System began returning to the Materium, the Chaos Marines on Sangua Terra and Sigil began calling for aid from Planet Killer and its escort ships. Already en route, from the system's outer edge, they were watching everything unfold in real time. Ordering his fleet to move in as quickly as possible, Warmaster Malefica Arkham could not afford to let the Imperium win this battle. Having nearly lost his flagship, Planet Killer, during the 12th Black Crusade, Arkham was on shaky ground within the Black Legion. If he failed to stop them, it would result in his removal from power and a truly, gruesome end.

"What is the status of our allies on the ground?", Arkham asked, impatiently tapping his finger on the arm of his chair.

"Since receiving the first few messages, we have been unable to reach anyone on the ground. The last message we received stated they were sustaining incredibly high losses from the Imperial defenders.", the Comms Officer stated, trying to contact their allies again.

'Why the hell couldn't the Dark Mechanicum make this ship any faster! At this rate, the battle is going to be over before I can do anything!', Arkham thought, pissed off that the Imperials chose now to act, "Fuck it, have the escorts go on ahead of us to render assistance to our allies!"

"Sir, that would leave us with minimal protection against a potential ambush!", the Comms Officer argued.

"Did I ask for your opinion, dipshit?!", Arkham spat, rising from his chair, "Do as I command, or I will rip your head off and shove it up your ass!"

"By your orders… Warmaster.", the Comms Officer acknowledged, with a scowl, 'When we end up in the same position as last time, do not complain about it to us! You fucking moron…'

Passing along Arkham's orders to the fleet, the Battle Barge, two hundred warships, three thousand escort ships, and several thousand troop transporters began rapidly advancing toward Sangua Terra. Hoping they would be able to keep the Imperial Fleet preoccupied long enough for the Planet Killer to get into position, the radio began to buzz with activity as the ships got within visual range.

(AN: I tried researching what the average fleet size was for Chaos, but the consensus seems to be that there is not one. With that in mind, I went with what I felt made sense here.)

"SHIT! SHIT!! SHIT!!! THIS IS NOT THE IMPERIAL NAVY!!!", the Comms Officer of the Lord Farel howled, "THERE ARE OVER FIFTY THOUSAND VESSELS HERE!!"

(AN: This includes warships, escorts, troop carriers, and logistic vessels.)

"THEY HAVE A BLACKSTONE FORTRESS WITH THEM!!", the Comms Officer of the Battle Queen added, "ALL VESSELS BREAK FORMATION!! IT IS GOING TO- "

Before they could finish speaking, a purple-hued beam cut through the Chaos fleet without mercy. Listening to various ships' crews let out horrified screams before abruptly falling silent, the Planet Killer's bridge crew began to nervously look at each other. Fully aware that a Blackstone Fortress possessed equal, if not greater, firepower to them, the bridge crew turned to Warmaster Arkham for guidance. Gripping the arms of his chair in rage, the ancient Chaos Marine began to grind his teeth.

"Since the Imperium appears to have a fully functional Blackstone Fortress, we need to alert Lord Abaddon at once.", Arkham ordered, fighting the urge to explode. "Captain, get us to a position where we can strike Sangua Terra through its moon Sigil. We are unlikely to get a clean shot without interference from the enemy armada."

"Of course, Warmaster!", the captain acknowledged, changing course immediately. "We should be within range in ten minutes."

"Very well…", Arkham groaned, "Firing team, begin charging the Armageddon Gun now. Once we are in position, I want you to fire immediately."

"Yes, Warmaster Arkham!", the team replied.

Following Arkham's order, the psyker stationed on the bridge was about to relay the message when a spectral figure appeared before them. Before anyone could react, most of the crew were vaporized with a casual glance from the figure.

"Damn it, there is an enemy unit on the bridge!!", Arkham shouted over his Vox, "Send a security team to the bridge immediately!"

Drawing his sword, Arkham lunged at the unknown figure, fuming with rage. Harmlessly passing through them, the figure backhanded him, sending the Warmaster crashing into the viewing window. Dazed and disoriented, the Chaos Marine stumbled to his feet as blood began flowing out of his nose and mouth.

"Who… who the fuck… are you?", Arkham demanded.

"I think you know who I am, Malefica Arkham.", the figure stated, retracting their helmet to reveal their face.

Staring at their face, as the color drained from his, Arkham dropped his sword as the security team arrived. Seeing their leader's horrified look, they stopped where they were unsure what was happening.

"Pri… Primarch Klordius Aremus!?", Arkham gasped, staggering backward, "No… NO!! You should be dead!! The Second Legion and you vanished years before the Horus Heresy!! This cannot be!!"

"Haha, I am sorry to disappoint you, Arkham. My legion and I are still very much alive and well! Your fleet found out the hard way that we are back, ready and able to protect our homeland.", Victor laughed, playing the part of his ancestor, "Now then… I believe I owe you traitors an overdue thrashing for tearing the Imperium of Man apart. If you believe Abaddon's fury is terrifying… allow me to demonstrate what a Primarch like myself is capable of!"

"KILL HIM!!", Arkham commanded his subordinates.

Turning them to dust with a thought, Victor stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.

"In a few minutes, the daemons fused to the ship, the remainder of the crew, and you will all be nothing but a scorch mark on the floor of my newest vessel.", Victor commented, the air around him growing ice cold.

Coating his hands with holy magic, Victor's Force Projection proceeded to systematically hunt down all the souls aboard. Pummeling human crew into a gory mess and sending the daemon souls to the abyss, he stowed Arkham's mangled corpse and Planet Killer in his inventory. Having destroyed any hope of reinforcements for the enemy in the Sanguis System, Victor returned his sole attention to dispatching the remaining enemy forces on Sigil.