The sound of hurried footfalls echoed outside the Emperor's Shrine. The twin Sisters of Battle, Eleanor and Genevieve, arrived with their escort, their faces alight with anticipation. They were desperate to know if the God-Emperor had relayed an oracle.
"When I arrived, the God-Emperor's will had already receded," Celestine said, her voice carrying a pang of disappointment. "The Cherubim, the host of His supreme will, was utterly consumed."
Celestine and the Sisters then reverently collected the fine, golden ashes left behind by the burnt Cherubim. They held the firm belief that these remnants retained the Emperor's power, capable of warding off evil and offering protection.
Scarcely had the Sisters finished their sacred task when the Imperial heroes—Voldus, Tigurius, and Chapter Master Calgar—arrived in quick succession. They, too, wore eager expressions, desperate for an explanation.
Guilliman, however, remained rooted in place like a bronze monument, silent and unmoving. The conversation with his Father had lasted only a moment in real-time, but the amount of information he had absorbed was staggering. Even for a Primarch, it was a heavy burden; he needed time to process the torrent of visions.
Seeing the Primarch would not speak, all eyes turned to Daniel.
"Guide, did the God-Emperor leave behind any directive or task for us?" Celestine asked, her hopeful tone clear. Voldus, Tigurius, and the others stared at Daniel with an intense, burning focus. For ten thousand years, the Emperor had sat in silent vigil on the Golden Throne, without communion.
"You may be disappointed. I heard nothing," Daniel replied, looking helpless. All he had heard was the opening declaration—My parent and child, my instrument...—before being utterly overwhelmed by the Emperor's power.
His consciousness was drowned in endless whispers and the cruel, kaleidoscopic images of a dying galaxy. When the spiritual tempest finally passed, he returned to reality. The Emperor had spoken no explicit words to him.
Guilliman finally broke his silence, confirming Daniel's account. "He issued no tasks or specific instructions. He merely revealed the dire state of the galaxy and the existential crisis facing the Imperium."
Guilliman then shared the vision he had witnessed: The entire galaxy had been ripped in two by the Great Rift. Monsters from the Old Night were pouring through, and terrifying alien threats were closing in on all sides. Human worlds were being ravaged. They had to act fast, or human civilization would be utterly wiped off the map.
"The Primarch must make for Terra immediately," Daniel suggested, looking at Guilliman.
"Why the urgency?" Guilliman pressed, wanting Daniel's strategic analysis.
"Only by returning to Terra can you seize control of the entire Imperium, issue orders in your name as Regent, and coordinate the resources of our vast, shattered domain," Daniel explained.
"At the very least, we need to stabilize the situation. The Eye of Terror has expanded, splitting the galaxy. Macragge and the Five Hundred Worlds are relatively safe—we can still see the Astronomican. But the other half of the galaxy is flying blind."
He continued: "Abaddon is not here personally trying to stop your resurrection because he is preoccupied with bigger fish. His primary target must be the birthplace of mankind: the Sol System."
As he spoke, Daniel brought up a holographic star map, showing the Milky Way bisected by the Great Rift. Half of the Imperium's territory, now known as the Imperium Nihilus, was cut off from the Astronomican's light. Countless worlds struggled in the dark, devoured and enslaved by Daemons and xenos. No one knew the extent of the devastation.
Daniel zoomed in on the projection, highlighting several crucial Warp hub nodes. "These hubs are vital arteries for travel to and from the Sol System. If they are blocked, mobilizing the Imperial war machine will become nearly impossible."
"Think about it," Daniel said. "What could possibly be more important than preventing the return of a loyal Primarch?"
"The Emperor?" Celestine offered tentatively.
Daniel nodded sharply. "Precisely. The Emperor is the linchpin of the Imperium's survival. If Terra falls, even a resurrected Primarch means nothing. Without the Emperor's protection, the Warp will consume everything, and all our efforts will be for naught."
Guilliman looked gravely at the star map. He considered the situation for a moment and accepted Daniel's strategy.
"I will be going to Terra, Guide. Will you accompany us?"
Daniel shook his head. "I have other responsibilities. I will travel to Terra, but not as part of your fleet." He paused. "Preventing Abaddon from destroying the Sol System is just the beginning. We must fundamentally reform the Imperium if we are to have any chance against Chaos. If I go to Terra, I'd spend more time navigating political intrigue and power struggles than integrating the Empire."
"The journey to Terra will be fraught with peril. The Primarch's return has caught the eye of the Dark Gods," Voldus cautioned. "Guide, you can channel the Emperor's power. If you were to accompany the Primarch, this pilgrimage would be significantly smoother."
"And you wouldn't have to stay on Terra," Tigurius added. "Once you arrive, you'd be free to pursue your other obligations."
"You both make a solid case, Grand Masters," Daniel conceded. He took a moment to marshal his thoughts before continuing. "Whether I am on the pilgrimage fleet or not, I can still help you. I require your solemn vow, by your loyalty and your soul, to hold the secret I am about to share inviolate."
One by one, everyone exchanged glances, nodded, and swore their allegiance.
"The Saints are an extension of my will," Daniel revealed. "Wherever they are, I can instantaneously travel to that location. Furthermore, I can summon them to my side at will. This means that as long as a single Saint is with you, it is equivalent to all of the Saints—including myself—being present at a moment's notice."
Greyfax raised an eyebrow. "Is that truly the case?"
"The Guide would not be joking," Amalrich said. "Celestine has the ability to appear on countless battlefields across the Imperium."
Greyfax looked to Celestine, and the Living Saint confirmed Amalrich's statement with a nod.
"I will send a Saint to travel with you," Daniel confirmed. "When you need me, I will be there instantly."
They spent the remainder of the time hammering out the specific route to Terra and coordinating the logistics of their departure. They also debated holding a massive celebration for Guilliman's return. Guilliman initially dismissed the idea as a waste of time and resources, but Daniel backed the proposal.
While costly, a grand celebration would instill much-needed hope and confidence in the weary populace. After weighing the pros and cons, Guilliman agreed to the ceremony.
The meeting adjourned, and everyone dispersed. Daniel returned to his room, placing the ceremonial box he had received for completing the "Special Assignment: Rescue Roboute Guilliman" on the table.
The box was forged from a mysterious dark silver metal, engraved with a massive double-headed Aquila in the center, its edges covered in dense, special runes. Daniel placed his hand on the surface. A faint golden light emanated from his touch, tracing the lines of the runes before gathering at the central Aquila.
Inside the box, a sound of clicking gears signaled the release of the locks. With a crisp sound, the lid automatically lifted. Dense mist flowed out like a waterfall, revealing a scepter resting quietly on soft velvet.
The scepter was crafted from the same dark silver metal. Fine, wrapped threading on the handle was designed to maximize grip. It was topped by a double-headed Aquila and inlaid with a golden human skull at the center.
Daniel picked up the scepter. It was heavy and felt incredibly substantial. The Aquila and skull were not just decorative; they were weighty enough to easily crack a skull. He pressed the activation button, and a vibrant blue decomposition force field formed a halo around the skull ornament.
The sharp scent of ionized air instantly filled the room. Clearly, this was not just a symbol of office, but a potent, long-handled war hammer. If you brought this power field down on an enemy's head, they wouldn't have a prayer.
Name: Heavenly Punishment Scepter (Legendary)
Description: This weapon combines ancient Warp techniques and power field technology. Not only does it amplify spiritual energy, but it can also be used as an incredibly potent melee weapon.
"This thing can not only launch spells, but it can also crack open even the toughest armor," Daniel mused. "Not bad. This will be my primary weapon going forward."
Daniel gestured with the scepter, a satisfied look on his face.
Just then, Arale's holographic projection materialized before him.
"Master, the list for the eighth batch of randomly selected players is ready. The total count is 8,866."
Daniel's eyes widened slightly at the number. 8,866? The number was so absurdly specific, blending the numerical hallmarks of multiple Chaos Gods. He was genuinely skeptical that it was unintentional.
"Show me the list."
Arale projected the list of player IDs.
"Genghis Khan"
"My Precious"
"Neutron Killing is the Most Efficient"
"Lord Bobby"
"King of Mount and Blade"
Daniel looked at the player names and felt a familiar, unsettling sense of dread. "Why do I feel like these are all strategic masterminds—or perhaps, galactic warmongers? Did we just rip a hole in the wall of the most ruthless strategists in the galaxy?"
Arale tilted her head in the holographic projection, streams of data tracing galactic star maps across her eyes. "Do you require an adjustment, Master?"
"Let me think." Daniel skimmed the list. The names eventually became more mundane. "Forget it. It's fate that they were chosen."
"Very well, Arale. Distribute the helmets according to this list. Go ahead." Daniel nodded, making his final decision.
Following the meeting, Guilliman publicly announced his intention: "I shall travel to Terra and commence the vital process of reorganizing the Imperium from its capital."
The news sent shockwaves through Macragge. Countless citizens felt sadness and regret. The Primarch had only just returned, and now he was leaving again. But they understood; the Primarch was the Emperor's son, and his attention could not be focused solely on Macragge, but on the fate of the entire Imperium.
Preparations for a colossal ceremony to celebrate the Primarch's return were immediately underway. Simultaneously, news of Guilliman's resurrection spread like wildfire from Ultramar.
Many Space Marine Chapters dispatched warriors across the treacherous Warp storms to Macragge. Furthermore, the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Navy, the Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii, major Knight Houses, and the Titan Legions all sent contingents to participate in the grand procession and accompany the Primarch on his pilgrimage to Terra.
The planning of the ceremony was not without its troubles, including the ominous shadow of the Emperor's Children Primarch, Fulgrim, who was secretly plotting to drag Guilliman into the abyss of corruption.