Chapter 8: When the Angels Descend from the Skies

Chapter 8: When the Angels Descend from the Skies

Inside the imperial palace, at the Emperor's desk covered with strategic reports and stellar projections, Emperor Kent stared blankly at the report he had just received from Saint Celestine.

His mouth felt dry, like a crow that had just screamed in the desert.

"Good grief... I just cursed about them this morning…" Kent rubbed his temples, exhausted. "And now they're already here? Three main angels—Keisha, Hexi, Liang Bing... and thousands of angels behind them?"

Kent immediately envisioned the situation in the field.

Space Marines from various legions could go into panic. Inquisitors would start shouting about Xenos in the capital.

And what was most terrifying…

Khârn.

"...Wait. I have to hold Khârn back." Kent stood and pressed the emergency intercom button. "Commander of the Adeptus Custodes, send 20 elite units. Your task: hold Khârn until the diplomacy is concluded. Don't let him touch any of the angels."

The order was immediately carried out. Twenty golden-armored Custodes moved swiftly, leaving the palace.

---

East Barracks of the Empire

Amid the scent of oil and blood from the morning drills, Khârn the Betrayer caught the scent of something he greatly disliked.

"What is this? Winged creatures entering the sacred land of the Emperor? ALIENS!!"

His hand instinctively grabbed his chainaxe, the bloodthirsty aura surrounding him.

"BLOOD FOR THE—"

BANG!

Twenty Adeptus Custodes immediately blocked his way.

"Sorry, Khârn. By the Emperor's command, you are not permitted to leave."

"GET OUT OF MY WAY!!" Khârn roared, thrashing at them. But thanks to their combined strength and determination, the elite Custodes managed to hold him back—for now.

---

Empire's Skies: Angel Drop Pods

In the bright blue sky filled with warp clouds, dozens of sacred imperial drop pods slowly descended.

They were not enemies.

They were guests, brought by Saint Celestine.

Inside the main pod stood Keisha, Hexi, and Liang Bing, surrounded by thousands of winged angels. Their eyes swept across the capital: Warhammer and StarCraft hybrid buildings, massive statues of the Emperor at every gate, and people smiling in respect.

At the center of the city, they saw the platform where the Emperor had once preached. Around them, Space Marines and other military units were conducting intensive drills. Not far off, they saw great churches filled with the sound of brainwashing rituals in true Warhammer style.

An Inquisitor was seen leading a mental indoctrination ritual.

> "What is our duty?"

"To serve the Emperor's will."

"What is the Emperor's will?"

"Let us fight until death."

"Why fight until death?"

"Because it is our duty!"

The three angels exchanged glances.

They, along with the thousands of angels behind them, all simultaneously groaned inwardly.

"Such feudal superstition..."

They had assumed this civilization had already entered the space age with far more advanced technology.

---

Hexi's Perspective: Machines, Warp, and Awe

Meanwhile, Hexi was engrossed in observing the intriguing details: the use of warp, psionic navigation systems, colossal warships, and heavy robots like Warhammer's Dreadnoughts and StarCraft's Siege Tanks.

"What... What is this?" Hexi asked with a puzzled expression.

"They worship machines?" Liang Bing added, incredulously.

Keisha frowned. "Adeptus Mechanicus... They worship the Omnissiah. For them, machines are sacred entities that must be revered and worshipped."

Some members of the Mechanicus passed by, making them feel uneasy—machine priests with bodies full of cables, advanced tools, and glowing red eyes that seemed to strip them of their souls.