"We're exiting the Warp… now."
At his words, the vessel tore free from the Warp and returned to realspace.
Around it, more ships followed, emerging one by one.
As the blast shutters opened, the view became clear.
Sapientia.
One of the many hive worlds in the northern region, it served as a major relay station—for Astropathic messages, trade, and military movement. It sat beside a key warp route that linked nearby sectors to Camelarion and deeper into the heart of the realm.
"Inform the governor to prepare for fleet resupply," the Shipmaster said to the vox officer. "And tell the local Choir-Master Telepathica to prepare a full report on the situation."
"Yes, sir," the officer replied, already moving.
The Shipmaster then turned and bowed slightly.
"Translation complete, my lord."
Atharion stood behind him, his face slightly pale.
"Good work," Atharion said. "Get some rest, both of you. We still have much to do."
"Yes, my lord," the Shipmaster replied.
"Your will," the Navigator added, his voice tired from the strain of guiding the ship through the Warp.
"What is the progress on the others?" Atharion asked, turning to the Librarian beside him.
"The latest reports say that Grand Master Valentus and Sevran have arrived at their positions and will begin their attacks once resupply is complete," the Librarian said. "The Angels of Wrath and the Fire Hawks are already engaging the traitors on Medina and Soraren. From their reports, both battles should end soon—there are no traitor Astartes in those systems."
Atharion nodded slowly.
"The Lamenters and the Black Dragons are also engaging the traitors at Hedera," the Librarian continued. "They report contact with two World Eaters warbands. There is also a possibility that a Thousand Sons warband is operating in the system as they reported that there are too many psychic phenomena being detected."
He paused for a moment, then added,
"Though it may simply be Warp corruption caused by the World Eaters."
Atharion remained silent for a few seconds.
"Or it may not," he said.
The Librarian gave a slight nod.
"If the Thousand Sons are present, the situation at Hedera will become far more dangerous."
"Raise a call to the Babylon," Atharion said, watching the star fort in orbit around Sapientia grow larger as the fleet moved in to resupply. "Inform Thothrax to send out the Masters to reinforce the front."
He then turned to the Librarian, who was himself one of the Masters of the Librarium.
"I believe the knowledge I received from the Ordo Malleus has allowed you all to better deal with Chaos."
The Librarian inclined his head.
"It has, my lord," he said. "Our understanding has improved—but without true experience against the archenemy, none can say if we are truly prepared."
Atharion studied him for a moment.
"Then we will be tested," he said.
A brief silence followed.
"Better now," Atharion continued, "than we fail when we needed it the most."
The Librarian gave a firm nod.
"Yes, my lord."
Atharion turned back toward the viewing port, the star fort looming closer.
As they drew nearer, more vessels came into view—sleek warships marked with sacred insignia.
Two bore the sigil of the Bloody Rose.
One bore the Sacred Rose.
"They have come as well?" Atharion asked.
"Yes, my lord," a mortal officer replied, now standing where the Shipmaster had been. "According to the information we receive so far, the two Canonesses who received news of our arrival have come to join us."
Atharion's gaze sharpened.
"Canoness Venora of the Order of the Bloody Rose has brought three thousand Sisters," the officer continued. "Canoness Zaria of the Order of the Sacred Rose has brought one thousand five hundred."
The officer hesitated for a moment, then added,
"There is also news that Saint Mina is returning from her Crusade—and will be joining us with her forces."
Silence fell for a moment before Atharion spoke.
"Well, we had better move faster," he said with a light, almost teasing tone, "or the Saint might destroy my worlds before we even arrive."
It was a small jab at Mina's fierce reputation—an attempt to lift the spirits of the mortals around him. Through his psychic senses, he could feel their unease, their fear for their homes.
But the attempt failed.
The mortals did not laugh.
They froze… unsure how to react, or quietly returned to their duties.
An awkward silence followed.
Seeing this, Atharion shifted slightly and changed the subject.
"What about the Knights?" he asked, looking toward two massive Macro-transports bearing the sigil of two different Knight Houses—those that sworn to the Camelarion Realm. "Who is leading them, and how many Knights do they bring?"
The officer quickly answered, grateful for the change.
"The combined force is led by Marchioness Lauraine of House Ravenclaw and Count Gwendolane of House Thalen," he said. "They bring two full banners—twenty-four Knights in total."
Atharion listened, expression calm.
"House Ravenclaw fields four Knight Wardens, one Knight Defender, five Knight Helverins, and two Knight Warglaives," the officer continued. "House Thalen brings three Knight Defenders, three Knight Wardens, and six Knight Helverins."
He paused, glancing down at his datapad.
"According to their report, both Houses have been ordered by Camelot to join the defense of the realm. They are currently moving to Sector N-83 to halt a traitor advance there."
The officer looked up.
"Both the Marchioness and the Count send their regrets, my lord. They are unable to join our force directly."
A brief silence followed.
Atharion gave a small nod.
"They are where they are needed," he said. "we have our mission and they have theirs."
He watched as the two massive transports began to pull away from the star fort, engines burning bright as they moved toward their own war.
"Send them my blessing," he continued. "May we meet again—at the victory celebration on Camelot."
"Yes, my lord," the officer replied.
For a moment, Atharion simply stood there, watching the ships depart.
Then he turned.
"Prepare for resupply," he ordered. "We move as soon as we are able."
===
After six hours of continuous labor by workers and servitors aboard the star fort, Atharion's fleet finally completed its resupply.
Fuel lines disengaged.
Munition bays sealed.
Strike craft rearmed and ready.
Now—
They could move.
"All ships report ready, my lord," the Shipmaster said. "Awaiting your command."
Atharion stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the void ahead.
"Set course for Virtus ," he said. "we will meet the traitor head on."
"Your will," the Shipmaster said.
He turned to the bridge crew and took up the vox-mic, linked to every ship in the fleet.
"By the will of the Supreme Grand Master Atharion, High Warden of Camelarion," he began, his voice echoing across the fleet, "set course for Virtus. We will engage the main traitor elements head-on."
A brief pause.
"Glory to Camelarion," the Shipmaster declared.
"Glory to Camelarion!" the bridge crew answered.
Across the fleet, the call was taken up—ship after ship, voice after voice, until it became a single thunderous echo through the void.
"Glory to Camelarion!"
Engines burned brighter.
And the fleet began to move toward the Mandeville Point.
Vast ships slid into formation, their drives flaring as they aligned for Warp translation. Escort vessels took their positions, circling like hunting beasts around the larger warships.
With a tearing of reality, a Warp rift opened—small at first, then widening as the fleet advanced.
One by one—
Then all at once—
The fleet entered in perfect formation.
Thus, the journey toward Virtus began.
===
Virtus—a world classified as both a hive and industrial world—stood at a vital Warp route junction in the northern region.
It was connected to countless Warp routes, linking it to many important sectors across the region. Trade, fleets, and reinforcements all passed through this system.
But more importantly—
It was tied to a far greater network.
A single Warp route from Virtus led directly to one of the thirteen worlds known as the Thirteen Gates—a chain of systems that served as the gateway into the core of Camelarion.
Because of this, Virtus was more than just a world.
And due to this, Virtus, as like other important and strategic worlds, is heavily defended.
According to the decree made by Atharion after discussions with the Round Table and the Camelarion Senate, a level system was created for such worlds. Its purpose was simple: to ensure each world could respond properly to threats, without wasting fresh armies in battles that would bring little result to the wider war.
The system was divided into five levels: Primus, Secundus, Tertius, Quartus and Quintus.
Quintus worlds were those with little importance and no real strategic value. They were defended only by Cohorts and were visited from time to time by patrol squadrons from the local sector fleet.
Quartus worlds were rich in resources but not located in key positions. They were defended by larger Cohorts and supported by a small fleet, usually led by a cruiser or light cruiser.
Tertius worlds were not rich in resources but were located in key positions. Because of this, they were fortified with stronger Cohorts and protected by a fleet consisting of at least two cruisers, ensuring those vital routes remained secure, or at the very least, hold until reinforcement can arrive to relieve them.
Secundus worlds held both valuable resources and strategic locations. These worlds were guarded by strong Cohorts with attached Auxilia regiments, along with a small fleet led by a battlecruiser. They were also garrisoned by the Silver Lightning.
The Legio Argentum Fulgur—under Atharion's order and with support from Nine—constructed Titan Fortresses on these worlds. Each fortress housed at least two Warhound Titans, adding another layer of defense.Primus worlds were the most critical of all. No matter their resources or classification, their positions alone made them vital. To lose one would mean losing a major part of the Realm.
These worlds were defended by powerful Cohorts and multiple Auxilia regiments. They were supported by strong fleets in orbit, often including capital ships and permanent naval stations.
And, as expected, Titans also stood guard over them.
Normally, a Primus world would have at least two Reaver Titans and four Warhound Titans assigned for its defense. But for worlds of even greater importance—such as those within the Thirteen Gates—the garrison was far stronger.
Two Warlord Titans.
Four Reavers.
Eight Warhounds.
A force built not just to defend—but to crush any invasion.
Each Titan Fortress was also supported by its own Skitarii detachments, along with Secutarii garrisons, trained to fight alongside the god-machines in battle.
Virtus, according the system, is a Secundus world.
===
Virtus burned.
The great hive spires still stood, but smoke poured from their upper levels. Fires raged across manufactorum districts, while defense lasers stabbed into the sky at enemy ships above.
The void around the planet was choked with war.
Imperial defense monitors traded fire with rusted plague cruisers. Escort ships died in flashes of light as boarding torpedoes slammed into their hulls.
Below, the siege had already begun.
Across the ash plains outside Hive Aegiron, endless ranks of poxwalkers marched forward through artillery fire. Shells tore holes in their ranks, yet they kept coming.
Behind them rolled corrupted armor.
Rhinos covered in filth.
Predators leaking black smoke.
Land Raiders shaped by rot and disease.
"Battery Three, fire again!" Colonel Marius shouted from the trench command post.
Earthshaker cannons roared.
Explosions ripped through the enemy line, throwing bodies and metal into the air.
Still they came.
Like an ending wave of horde.
"Colonel!"
A messenger burst into the command tent, breathing hard.
"Hive Diana has fallen!" he shouted. "Reconnaissance from the Valkyries confirms the traitor forces there are marching toward us now!"
The command post fell silent.
"How many?" Colonel Marius asked.
The messenger swallowed.
"A large number of poxwalkers, sir. Ten thousands at least. Supported by corrupted armor and multiple Death Guard squads."
Several officers cursed under their breath.
"That fast?" one muttered.
Marius stared at the battlefield map.
Hive Diana was gone.
That meant their eastern flank was open.
"They'll try to encircle us," he said.
"Yes, sir," the aide replied. "If they link with the western force, we will be completely cut from any support and communication with Hive Virtus."
Another explosion shook the tent.
Dust fell from above.
Marius reached for the vox set.
"145th Battalion, you are to extend your battleline eastward," he ordered. "Secure the eastern wall and prepare for an enemy assault from Hive Diana."
Static answered for a moment.
Then—
"145th acknowledges," came the reply. "We are already under pressure. Request armor support."
"Denied," Marius said at once. "No reserves available. Hold with what you have."
A long pause followed.
Then the voice returned.
"Understood, sir. We will hold."
Marius lowered the vox.
"Move the 33rd Heavy Guns to cover the eastern road," he said to his staff. "If those poxwalkers mass there, I want them buried."
"Yes, sir."
Another officer rushed in.
"Reports from the western trench line! Death Guard breaching Sector Nine!"
Marius slammed a fist onto the table.
"They attack everywhere at once."
He looked around the tent, meeting the eyes of every officer.
"Good," he said coldly. "Then we kill them everywhere at once."
Outside, the guns of Virtus roared on.