Gavriel Loken only remembered rushing towards that dazzling light.
Countless voices sang in his ears, and his soul rejoiced.
He was certain it was the light of salvation. The light was so intense and blinding that his body felt as if it were about to melt away.
Eventually, his body merged with the light.
He surged with the light into the raging Warp, traversing the aetheric winds. The veil between reality and illusion parted before him. The winds of eternity carried him into the cradle of rebirth, to fulfill his unfinished mission.
He was Gavriel Loken, the Luna Wolf.
"I have returned."
Before falling into absolute darkness, his voice echoed in the void. The terrifying roars of the Chaos Gods followed, enraged by his return.
However, they could do nothing.
Without a Spokesperson, interfering with reality would come at a huge cost and require lengthy preparations. They swore to make that fool Guilliman pay, but for now, they could only rage impotently against the solid veil.
When Gavriel Loken opened his eyes, he saw a white scene.
He was placed on a soft, white hospital bed, with medical equipment humming beside him.
Pulsating data flickered on the projected screen.
A doctor approached him, asked a few questions, and then scribbled on a data-slate.
Gavriel Loken tried to stand up but found he couldn't even lift a finger.
His entire body, except for his brain which could think freely, was unresponsive.
Even moving his eyeballs was difficult.
He wanted to open his mouth to speak, but no matter how anxious he became, he lacked the strength to open it.
"Your body has just been manufactured. It's the most advanced combat chassis, newly developed by Archmagos Cawl, capable of granting you god-like power with ease. To protect you, a three-day period of weakness has been set to prevent you, who might be disoriented, from causing massive destruction."
Gavriel Loken was still in a state of initial awakening and sluggishness.
He struggled to understand the doctor's words, trying to extract the information he needed.
Where was this place?
Why was he here?
But he couldn't ask. Even with all his might, he couldn't speak. The doctor spoke for a while, then stopped. Two men in orderly uniforms walked in and removed the medical tubes connected to Gavriel Loken.
Gavriel Loken's body was immense, his muscles rippling like coiled serpents.
He was a product of the fusion of technology and arcana, returned to the mortal realm by the hand of the Emperor.
"He can be transferred to a regular ward for care. All vital signs are normal. Praise the Emperor, we have brought another hero back from the other side."
The orderlies pushed Gavriel Loken's bed out.
Logically, they couldn't push such a heavy bed, but fortunately, the bed was equipped with industrial auxiliary wheels, allowing them to push things many times heavier.
As they were about to leave the room, the doctor shouted for the next patient.
Gavriel Loken strained to turn his head and saw another bed being wheeled in. The wet giant looked as if he had just been pulled from a womb.
His skin was wrinkled all over, and his hair was matted to his body.
Gavriel Loken struggled to get a clear look at the person on the bed. If he hadn't been unable to speak, he would have screamed in terror.
Because he saw Torgaddon's face. This was impossible!
Torgaddon had been killed by Little Horus, also known as Abaddon, a fellow member of the Mournival, in the Choral City on Isstvan III.
He had personally witnessed his head being severed. This was impossible!!
Gavriel Loken desperately wanted to call out to Torgaddon. That was his brother. They had fought together, persevering for the Emperor's dream.
But he couldn't utter a sound. The orderlies pushed him away. The corridor was brightly lit, with soft light emanating from the lumen-lamps embedded in the walls. The air was filled with the scent of incense, and the prayers of priests came from speakers placed throughout. The sounds of people talking entered Gavriel Loken's mind.
"Praise the Emperor, another hero has returned."
"Is that Gavriel Loken? The legendary Luna Wolf, a friend of the Inquisition's founder."
"He's so strong."
"Look at that physique, it's truly astonishing."
Gavriel Loken's eyes showed confusion. They all seemed to know him.
What time was it now??
No one answered his confusion.
He couldn't ask, and his body remained immobile.
He could only passively receive external information.
His mind was filled with questions, desperately needing answers. The orderlies brought him into a clean ward, then turned and left.
Gavriel Loken lay alone on the bed, gazing at the white ceiling, struggling to suppress his inner impulses.
If he could move, he would have surely rushed to where he had seen Torgaddon earlier, to ask about his true identity.
At this moment, his emotions were incredibly complex.
He feared this was a dream, feared it was just another game of those despicable gods. Torgaddon was dead.
He had witnessed it with his own eyes.
It couldn't be Torgaddon.
But what about himself being here?
He seemed to have died long ago too, after the Siege of Terra, at the hands of daemons.
He had dedicated his life to protecting humanity.
All sorts of chaotic thoughts appeared and disappeared in Gavriel Loken's mind, like bubbles forming in water, then bursting and vanishing without a trace.
He let those thoughts echo in his mind, allowing his mind to wander aimlessly to pass the time.
His body recovered slowly. It was a long time before he could barely move a few fingers.
After an unknown period, his mouth could move, and although he still couldn't speak a complete sentence, he could at least eat something.
**Imperial Heart Basic System Implantation Complete**
**Imperial Citizen Basic System Activated**
**host: Gavriel Loken, Luna Wolf, Rogue Knight, Returnee.**
**Corresponding functions have been activated online.**
**Emperor's Angel Template Loading, please wait patiently.**
A strange voice echoed in Gavriel Loken's mind.
At the same time, an interface appeared in his mind.
**Personal Data**
**Skill Template**
**Weapon Authority**
**Tasks**
**Personal Dimensional Space Storage (Not Activated)**
Countless questions arose in Gavriel Loken's mind.
What system?
What Emperor's Angel Template??
What were these??
Before he could find answers, footsteps approached, interrupting his confusion about the strange voice that had appeared in his mind.
An orderly walked in, holding a cup of liquid food.
He brought the liquid food in, placed it by Gavriel Loken's bed, and handed him a straw so he could drink it.
Having done all this, the orderly walked out again.
Gavriel Loken had many questions, but he couldn't ask them, so he could only endure. The liquid food tasted quite good.
It was also highly nutritious; after eating it, he felt a warmth spread through his body.
His recovery speed clearly increased.
After finishing his meal, Gavriel Loken was able to move his arms.
Less than an hour after eating, he was able to get out of bed and walk normally.
As he practiced walking, a woman entered, accompanied by several doctors and orderlies. The woman had short, light blonde hair and faint freckles on her fair, jade-like skin.
Her large, bright eyes were as captivating as gems.
Looking at this woman, he fell into a brief trance.
"Captain Loken, I heard you have a very compelling story, and I hope to record it for future generations."
"What story?"
"Horus killing the Emperor."
"Mersadie Oliton." Gavriel Loken blurted out a name that should have been forgotten.
But he quickly realized that she was not Mersadie Oliton.
She was dead.
She had willingly fallen into the power reactor to stop Samus.
He had personally watched the woman who had accompanied him and witnessed Horus' rise and rebellion die.
Gavriel Loken thought that someone like him would never grieve over a woman.
But when Mersadie Oliton died, he felt as if his heart had been crushed.
"Gavriel Loken, Imperial hero." Sensing Gavriel Loken's emotional fluctuations, the woman said with some concern, "Are you alright?"
"Who are you?" Gavriel Loken lowered his head, not looking at her face.
"I am an Imperial Scribe, Trist. According to the Imperial News Propaganda Act, I have been authorized to interview you and publicly release the interview content to society. To let them know that your return will be a sharp sword for humanity to stab the gods, another great decision by the Emperor."
Trist's words carried the fanaticism unique to this era.
When she spoke of the Emperor, Gavriel Loken could clearly feel her excitement and reverence. This was a fanatical era, even more so than during the Emperor's Great Crusade.
Gavriel Loken eventually accepted Trist, as he also needed someone to tell him what was going on!
For a better conversation, Trist requested permission from the hospital to take Gavriel Loken, who had regained his mobility, outside. The application was finally approved.
As Gavriel Loken walked out of the hospital, his eyes immediately widened.
Because he saw the Imperial Palace. Terra.
This is Terra.
"Are you surprised?" Trist opened the recorder and began to record her conversation with the Imperial hero. This information was crucial for convincing the dissenters.
Many people were concerned that the Emperor had arbitrarily broken the rules between life and death, challenging the natural order of reincarnation with human power.
Many even called for reflection, questioning whether humanity had become too insane.
If the conversation with Gavriel Loken could be used effectively to prove that these returning Imperial heroes would continue to give their all for humanity, it would silence the opposition.
"I'm on Terra?" Gavriel Loken looked confused, everything was becoming increasingly baffling to him.
"Yes, Terra, the Terra of the Holy Era."
"The Holy Era?" Gavriel Loken asked, puzzled.
"Imperial historians refer to the year the Holy Emperor ascended the throne as the first year of the Sacred Era, marking the end of the first Emperor's Era and the day the Primarch Guilliman became the Imperial Emperor."
Those words made Gavriel Loken stumble a few steps, his eyes wide. The Primarch of the Thirteenth Legion became the Emperor of the Imperium!
What happened?
A great rebellion by Robert??
What Horus couldn't accomplish, Guilliman did??
"You said Guilliman is the Holy Emperor, the highest ruler of the Imperium currently?" Gavriel Loken repeated, suspecting he might have hallucinated.
Seeing Gavriel Loken's astonished expression, Trist showed a hint of confusion.
"Isn't that normal? After the Horus Heresy, the Holy Emperor was the Imperial Regent, which in ancient times would be considered the position of crown prince. It's reasonable and legal for him to inherit the great legacy. Besides, the Great Emperor personally approved, and numerous Primarchs returned to attend the coronation ceremony, which is enough to show that the Holy Emperor is universally acclaimed."
"Coupled with the Holy Emperor's campaigns across the galaxy, capturing traitorous Primarchs, pacifying galactic turmoil, and organizing humanity to launch a new round of crusades, these achievements are unprecedented, making it only natural for him to become the Emperor of Mankind."
Waking up, the entire world had changed drastically.
Over a thousand years had passed since the end of the Emperor's Era and the beginning of the Sacred Era.
Guilliman had become the new Lord of Mankind.
Even Ferrus and Sanguinius, who had tragically died in the Horus Heresy, had been summoned back.
Humanity had defeated all its enemies and become the sole master of the galaxy. They were now advancing into other galaxies and beginning to explore other universes, dedicated to building the Imperium into a great multi-universal empire. That was a path even the Great Emperor had never envisioned.
And all of this was led and created by Guilliman.
Gavriel Loken could not hide his shock and disbelief.
He truly couldn't believe that humanity had achieved such feats. Trist recorded Gavriel Loken's surprise and awe. This was excellent material, able to make the citizens of the Imperium proud, for they had created a magnificent future that would astound their ancestors. Terra's prosperity exceeded Gavriel Loken's imagination.
Anti-gravity vehicles shuttled through designated air lanes like schools of fish.
Large sections of the colossal buildings were designated for greenery, planting precious trees and flowers.
Steel and concrete formed a harmony with natural life.
People on the streets carried confidence and smiles, even those who were melancholic had a sense of beautiful happiness. There were no traces of war on their faces.
"The Imperium will adhere to the Emperor's ideology and the Holy Emperor's theoretical guidance, continue to develop exogalactic systems, and simultaneously expand its influence into all universes, steadfastly walking the correct path of humanity's rise."
"The pace of humanity's rise is unstoppable, the tide of human civilization's progress surges forward. Under the guidance and leadership of the Sacred Emperor, the Imperium will comprehensively advance the rise of this great race, and humanity will forge immortal achievements, surpassing gods and transcending destiny."
"Advancing the rise of human civilization and confronting Chaos will be the central mission of the Terran Council from beginning to end. Adhering to the Emperor's ideology and the Holy Emperor's theory, combined with the Primarchs' practical application, is the only correct path to strengthen civilization and promote humanity's rise.
History and reality will ultimately prove that the Imperium's path is humanity's only correct path, and supporting the Emperor, supporting the Sacred Emperor, and supporting the Primarchs is humanity's correct choice."
"The Chancellor of the Terran Council delivered a speech, stating that human society will resolutely maintain zero tolerance for actions involving Chaos or betrayal, striking down every instance discovered.
There will be no leniency for actions that harm the collective interests of human civilization, no matter how high the position or how great the contribution; as long as anyone is found to collude with Chaos or betray human interests, they will never be tolerated."
Tall holographic projections throughout the city broadcasted reports from Imperial media.
At the same time, there were also religious projections; the Emperor Guilliman, the Emperor, the Primarchs, and many Imperial heroes frequently appeared.
Along both sides of the roads, numerous statues were erected.
All were heroes who had made outstanding contributions to the Imperium.
On the wide streets, a dazzling array of goods and bustling pedestrians created a cacophony of sounds.
Seeing this scene, no one would ever imagine the terrible and tragic war that once took place on this land.
Gavriel Loken involuntarily began to cry. Too many people had died for this day. Those desperate souls held the final Terran defense line, only to be engulfed by terrifying monsters. The frenzied World Eaters, Emperor's Children, Sons of Horus, Death Guard, and countless, overwhelming daemons.
What a desperate time that was. The Siege of Terra was the most brutal battlefield Gavriel Loken had ever witnessed in his life. The enemy breached the first wall, crossed the outer court, passed through the Helys Gate, the Lion Gate, Irenicon, and the Inner Wall Gate.
Brave men and women fought against the gods with their humble bodies to defend their race. Their fates ended like dust. Their names were not even sung or known.
At the end of the Siege of Terra, the enemy attacked the final sanctuary. To protect the last hope, survivors were forced to abandon those outside the sanctuary, becoming targets of slaughter to slow the enemy's advance.
Gavriel Loken once believed that humanity's story would end after the Battle of Terra.
Until Sanguinius fell, and the Emperor, at the cost of severe injury, severed the gods' anchors in the material world, expelling numerous daemons back into the Warp, breaking the time lock, and allowing reinforcements to enter the Sol System.
Every warrior who survived the Battle of Terra felt despair, guilt for being alive, and guilt for not having died in battle or exacted revenge.
Countless heroes perished, and the Emperor himself nearly died, no longer leading his subjects.
Humanity's salvation had reached a dead end; the future years held only war.
And now, Terra was so prosperous. The people living on this land were all happy. Trist did not make any judgment about Gavriel Loken.
Anyone who had lived through the age of suffering would react this way upon seeing the current splendor and prosperity. To offer some comfort to this poor man, Trist decided to let him first visit the Atonement Astromonitor, to give him a small Imperial shock. To see those despicable traitors now reduced to exhibits worth one hundred and fifty Imperial credits.
Every time a Primarch returned to Terra, they were very happy to make the trip. They even refused to use their privileges, insisting on spending one hundred and fifty credits to enjoy the pleasure of humiliating their traitorous brothers.
The Atonement Astromonitor, as a tourist attraction, was as crowded as ever. Trist did not request a private viewing, but wanted Gavriel Loken to personally experience the satisfaction of seeing former traitors reduced to pitiful jokes, to heal his inner wounds.
After the firewall was established, people no longer had to worry about or fear corruption. Those twisted monstrosities, in their eyes, were merely incredibly ugly, and had no psychological impact.
Gavriel Loken was astounded by the number of visitors to the Atonement Astromonitor; according to Trist's introduction, ticket revenue from the Atonement Astromonitor was a major pillar of Terra's tourism industry. Trist had intended to be low-key, but she underestimated Gavriel Loken's significance in the Great Crusade and the Siege of Terra.
When he appeared in the first exhibit hall of the Atonement Astromonitor, Lorgar, who was always screaming and roaring, looked as if he had seen a savior.
"Shadow Wolves, Son of Horus, Gavriel Loken, Captain of the Tenth Company. Tell them, tell them, Guilliman is a liar. I wrote the Lectitio Divinitatus, I wrote the Lectitio Divinitatus.
Tell them, Loken, please, tell them the truth. I know you, those who met you during the Great Crusade say you are a noble man, you never lie. Tell them the truth, Loken. Be true to your convictions."
"Tell them, Guilliman burned the perfect Monarchia in the Emperor, I wrote the Lectitio Divinitatus, he is a despicable liar, tell them, Loken."