Led by the Harlequin troupe, the pilgrims traversed the complex corridors and platforms of Blackstone Fortress.
Huge Dreadnoughts marched at the front, clearing the way.
On both sides, Land Raiders and Rhino transports with various Chapter insignias rumbled along, turrets scanning for threats.
Behind them marched ranks of bloody but resolute Astartes,
With silver-armored Grey Knights and red-robed Mechanicus forming solid flanks and rear.
The Red Corsair remnants, like cornered beasts, used shadows and side passages to launch ambushes,
But against the Imperials' overwhelming firepower and coordination,
Their attacks were like waves crashing against a seawall—smashed to pieces, achieving nothing.
At last, they reached the core: a vast, ancient hall.
In the center, a round altar made of wraithbone and crystal,
Surrounded by intricate ancient runes that pulsed with a rhythmic glow.
Shadowseer Sylandri Veilwalker and her troupe circled the altar, chanting ancient spells.
Their voices echoed, resonating with the runes' glow.
Psychic ripples spread from the altar's center.
The long-silent runes lit up one by one, drawing a bright Webway gate.
"All set," Veilwalker said to the Primarch. "Beyond this gate, we can set out for Terra."
Guilliman nodded, signaling Sicarius to send a message to the fleet,
Informing them of the Fortress's situation and urging immediate departure to avoid enemy reinforcements.
Then the Primarch led the pilgrims through the Webway gate.
Datch happily followed.
As he crossed the gate, a quest completion notice appeared.
[You have completed the quest: Assisted Guilliman in defeating the Red Corsairs' Blackstone Fortress garrison and set out for Terra via the shortcut.]
[Rewards: 1000 XP, 1000 points, Paint Palettes x5]
"Finally finished—time for a makeover!"
Datch opened the game inventory without hesitation, found the new paint palettes,
And began customizing his Terminator armor.
Golden helmet, black body,
Left arm red as blood, right arm blue as wisdom,
Left leg purple for desire, right leg green for vitality.
"Art, true art,"
Datch nodded in satisfaction and confirmed the scheme.
The next second, his Terminator armor sported a brand-new look.
The chaotic color scheme stood out starkly amid the solemn, uniform Astartes around him.
Marshal Amalrich, on alert, gripped his weapon tighter at the sight.
Emperor's Champion Garrien cocked his head—was he seeing things?
Sicarius, following Guilliman, was stunned.
A sudden costume change? And that color combo??
Greyfax made a note—maybe it would be a clue for later investigation.
"Praise the Emperor, all is His will," Celestine prayed reverently.
Cypher and Veilwalker stared wide-eyed, wondering if their eyes deceived them.
How did he repaint instantly?
What kind of mindset produces such a color scheme??
Guilliman paid Datch no mind, focused on the Webway.
"So this is the gift Father poured his heart into for humanity…"
Memories welled up.
To protect humanity from the Warp's dangers and prevent another Age of Strife,
The Emperor, after the Ullanor Triumph, appointed his most trusted son—Horus—as Warmaster,
Handed command of the Great Crusade to him,
And secretly returned to Terra to work on the Webway Project.
Within a few years, the gods' conspiracy closed around Horus and the Imperium.
Setbacks and his brothers' doubts soon dragged the cunning Horus into self-doubt.
The already-Chaos-aligned Erebus, calling himself "Hand of Fate," seized the chance to corrupt Horus.
He sowed suspicion of the Emperor's true intentions, questioning whether the fatherly love was just manipulation.
Erebus also stole the Anathame from the Interex, sabotaged peace talks, and started war between the 16th Legion and the Interex.
He then gave the Anathame to Nurgle's puppet, Governor Eugen Temba,
Publicly enraged Horus, and had him purge the now-traitorous Temba.
Horus was wounded—his medicae unable to heal him.
While Abaddon, Loken, and other Luna Wolves worried, Erebus suggested Horus be sent to the Davin Temple,
And so the wounded Horus was led into Chaos's trap…
Through a series of calculated moves, Erebus pushed the Luna Wolves and Horus step by step into betrayal.
The Thousand Sons Primarch, Magnus, sensed something amiss and tried to warn Horus, but failed.
Then, arrogantly, he decided to use psychic powers to warn the Emperor on Terra about Horus.
At that time, the Emperor was using the Golden Throne to maintain the Webway barrier—keeping daemons out.
Magnus was blocked from the Webway by the Emperor's power.
But, in his stupidity, Magnus made a pact with Tzeentch, broke the Emperor's barrier, and let in daemons.
Even the Chaos Gods had failed to do this.
With the barrier down, daemons flooded the Webway.
The Custodes and Sisters of Silence had to deploy every force to fight the tide.
The Emperor, suppressing Chaos and the out-of-control Webway, was trapped on the Golden Throne.
"Magnus really is an idiot,"
Guilliman would always add, remembering these events.
After the Heresy, the Primarchs reviewed everything and learned the hidden details.
Horus's rebellion—Magnus was the most helpful traitor of all.
"Primarch."
Veilwalker's solemn voice brought Guilliman back from his memories.
"Our scouts in the Webway just sent a report—the next branch has been invaded. The enemies wear gold and blue armor…"
"And radiate unmistakable Tzeentchian corruption."
Guilliman frowned—the invaders must be Magnus's Thousand Sons.
"He just suffered a huge defeat—by his character, he should be lying low. Why's he back so soon? Is it really just for me…?"
...
Bonus chapter at 100 PS
Read advanced chapters at patreon.com/AbsoluteCode