The surging tide of Warp demons was torn asunder by the Protoss army. Whenever a Protoss unit dissolved into white light, another warrior immediately stepped forward to take their place. Alexei noted that his Soul Shard count had stabilized; he had summoned the largest Protoss force possible for this engagement.
He stood within the formation, spearheading the assault toward a Warp rift. As they drew closer, Protoss casualties mounted. The psionic barrages from the Tzeentchian demons blanketed the battlefield in a kaleidoscope of lethal energy, shattering shields and bodies alike. Yet, the Children of Aiur showed no fear. Bound by the Khala, they did not dread death; their only regret was failing to fully unleash their righteous fury before falling.
Finally reaching the rift, they found two Greater Demons leading a host of Chaos Champions and countless horrors, blocking their path. Alexei took a sharp breath. Where the hell did all these Greater Demons come from? How can a mere Hive World on the fringe summon so many?
Suddenly, the dagger in his pocket began to burn with intense heat. The Greater Demons locked their gaze onto him, letting out sky-rending roars as their legions charged. Alexei turned to the six High Templar and gave a firm nod.
At his command, violent Psionic Storms erupted, engulfing nearly the entire visible enemy ranks. This single offensive exhausted the energy of these psionic masters. Demons screeched as they were torn into fragments and banished back to the Warp, yet reinforcements continued to pour from the rift as if endless.
Alexei hesitated no longer. He gave the order for the six High Templar to begin their merger. Through an irreversible soul-binding process, they would transform into the ultimate Protoss unit: the Archon. In battle, the Protoss only chose this sacrifice as a last resort, ending the precious lives of the Templar to give birth to a being of pure energy that would bring ruin to their enemies.
Three massive entities of cerulean energy, ten meters tall, manifested on the field, the broken remnants of the Templars' armor still swirling within their glowing forms. These Archons began their advance toward the rift, clearing a path with lethal Psionic Shockwaves. Every blast dealt massive area-of-effect damage, reducing lower demons to dust like mere ants. Ordinary psionic bolts failed to even ripple their shields.
Finally, the two Greater Demons engaged. Massive blows were exchanged between the towering combatants, the shockwaves alone obliterating any lesser demons nearby. Despite the demonic horde throwing themselves at the Archons, they could not halt the slow, inevitable approach toward the rift.
As they drew near the target, Alexei's heart raced. Everything depended on this. Vrumm... Near the altar, the Archons' forms began to flicker violently as they intentionally destabilized their internal energy.
In a flash of blinding light, three Psionic Singularities erupted before the rift. Everything in the vicinity was sucked into the void, including the altars stabilizing the Warp gate. With a mournful howl, the rift collapsed and vanished. With the gate closed, the surrounding demons were quickly purged by the Protoss warriors, and it would take time for more distant demons to reinforce the position.
"Eight more rifts to go..." Alexei gazed at the distant pillars of light. With a flick of his will, the Protoss ranks were replenished, and they marched toward their next objective.
"Captain, we are nearly out of ammunition." A PDF soldier reported softly to a young woman with short hair.
They were the last survivors in the Upper Hive. Even the Inquisition's fortress-monastery had fallen; those loyal warriors of the Emperor had already returned to the Golden Throne. Most of the Arbites had turned traitor, joining Chaos and ambushing their allies—only those sent to the Underhive remained loyal; the rest were now puppets of the Tzeentchian sorcerers.
The remaining survivors were huddling in the Ecclesiarchy Cathedral at the center of the Upper Hive, constructing a final line of defense. It was their last stand. If the line broke, everyone would perish, including the civilians hiding in the crypts.
"Tally the remaining rounds. Inform everyone: we are breaking out." The woman's voice was unnervingly calm, devoid of the fear of imminent death. She looked toward the Astropathic Spire. There might still be psykers alive there. If she was destined to die in this catastrophe, she had to ensure the Imperium knew what had happened here.
"May the Emperor protect us." She headed to the crypts to inform the priests of her plan. If they were to break out, the civilians would have to be left behind.
The flickering light of candles fueled by blessed oils illuminated the space. She walked before the anxious crowd and signaled an elderly man. She explained her breakout plan to the aging Archcardinal, who looked ready to pass away at any moment. The old man sighed deeply.
"Anna, since destruction is inevitable, let us show our loyalty to the God-Emperor. Every sacrifice has meaning."
Anna nodded, her beautiful face set with resolve. She gave the Aquila salute and turned to leave amidst soft prayers. Outside, the remaining able-bodied PDF soldiers gathered, their faces etched with uncertainty. As Anna appeared, the murmurs died down.
Standing upon the sanctuary altar, she addressed them: "Brothers, we are about to engage in the final battle with these Warp scumbags. Death is certain. But our sacrifice is not in vain! When our courage reaches the Emperor's ears, the Imperium's wrath will crush these bastards! Our souls shall return to the Golden Throne!"
"FOR THE EMPEROR!" Anna's slight frame seemed to radiate infinite strength.
"FOR THE EMPEROR!" the soldiers roared in unison.
They made their final preparations, gathering every last round—most had only a few magazines left. No heavy weapons, no vehicles, nothing but their lasguns and their courage. They were gambling on a faint, impossible hope.
Anna stepped outside the cathedral, followed by her resolute soldiers. The priests sang hymns to see off these warriors of the God-Emperor. Though they didn't know why the demons had halted their siege of the cathedral, it was time for their final charge.
"For the Emperor," Anna whispered once more in her heart as she led her people out beyond the defensive lines.