Chapter Summaries

Datong fought through the Chaos Mutants with his Pyromancer Psyker Power before retreating to Pulu’s squad when his strength waned. Devere used Holy Spirit Speech to locate Agul’s ritual, but the vision shattered his Crystal Crucifix; he still identified the ritual’s location.

• Chaos Mutants overwhelmed the high platform, and the Void Angels, War Angels, Inquisitors, and Thunder Custodes fought to hold them back.
• Datong landed among the mutants, blasted them away with Psychic Lightning, and used his flames to charge through the horde and defeat several Bloodthirsty Warriors.
• After his flames dwindled and more Bloodthirsty Warriors closed in, Datong ran back toward the main force and Pulu’s squad rescued him.
• Devere prayed with his Crystal Crucifix and used Holy Spirit Speech to search the research base for the ritual’s Chaos Power.
• Devere glimpsed Agul summoning an ancient existence, and the psychic shock shattered his Crystal Crucifix and knocked him down.
• Devere recovered and told his assistant that he had found the ritual’s location.

Devere and the warriors fought their way to Agul’s blood ritual, but they could not destroy the Skull Altar before the ritual reached completion. Just as Agul announced the Supreme Bloodthirster’s arrival, Datong crashed into the altar and brought it down.

• Devere led the warriors to the ritual site while Datong cleared the passage and replenished his strength with potions and shark fin.
• Devere’s group found Agul sacrificing the remaining test subjects and ordered the War Angels to bombard the Skull Altar, but their attacks barely damaged it.
• Devere and the warriors attacked the altar, where Red-Winged Bloodthirsty Warriors intercepted them, and Devere killed a Servitor disguised as Agul.
• Agul appeared and declared that the ritual was complete and the Supreme Bloodthirster would descend, while Chaos Psyker Power kept Devere from reaching him.
• Datong charged out of a Blood Pool with Dump Truck Impact and smashed into the Skull Altar, collapsing it.

Datong’s unexpected resistance helped Devere, Duke, and Pulu defeat Agul, but Agul’s final ritual opened a path into the Warp. Ka'bandha answered the summoning and prepared to launch a Slaughter Crusade across the Galaxy.

• The Skull Altar collapsed, allowing Devere to break Agul’s psychic chains, while Datong emerged from the rubble and was captured.
• Agul used Fear on Datong but was overwhelmed by Datong’s memories, which had no dark trauma to exploit, and Datong shot and bombed him.
• Agul recovered and began opening a Chaos Vortex, but Duke severed his hand and Pulu rescued Datong as they joined Devere against him.
• Devere shattered Agul’s barrier and stabbed him, but Agul sacrificed himself to summon a true Daemon through the Skull Altar’s remaining formation.
• In the Realm of Khorne, Ka'bandha sensed the summoning and resolved to begin an unprecedented Slaughter Crusade to prove his strength.

Ron prepared Matila’s defenses and evacuation plans as Ka'bandha’s daemon horde approached through a Warp portal. The chapter ended with the horde arriving at Throne Plaza, where Ari and the Storm Legion stood ready to fight.

• Ka'bandha summoned his daemon horde while Ang'grath doubted his ability to bring the Blood God enough slaughter.
• After learning that Devere’s interception operation had failed, Ron prepared the Holy Ash Bomb and planned evacuations and possible Exterminatus.
• Bayev reported that civilians were being evacuated and the defenses were ready, so Ron flew to Throne Plaza.
• The Storm Army Groups, elite troops, artillery, aircraft, and fleet assembled to defend the plaza as the blood-red pillar intensified.
• Ari stood with the Storm Legion as a Warp portal opened, and the daemon horde arrived.

Ron’s forces struggled to hold Matila’s defensive lines as Khorne’s daemons advanced and Ka'bandha arrived to devastate the battlefield. Ron finally confronted the Greater Daemon and fired the Holy Ash Bomb at him as Ka'bandha fled through the Warp Portal.

• Ari escaped a Bloodletter ambush, mounted a Brass Bull, and rampaged through the daemon horde while Duke, Pulu, the Void Angels, the War Angels, and the Adepta Sororitas reinforced the second line.
• Eight Bloodthirsters shattered the first defense line, and Ka'bandha emerged from the Warp Portal, breaking through the remaining steel defenses and killing many warriors.
• Ron advanced toward Ka'bandha with the Thunder Custodes, but Ka'bandha flew to attack Pulu and the War Angels after sensing their connection to the Blood Angels.
• Ron revealed himself and challenged Ka'bandha, then anchored himself and fired the launcher at close range as Ka'bandha raised his axe.
• Terrified by the Emperor’s power, Ka'bandha abandoned his weapons and fled toward the Warp Portal while Ron launched the Holy Ash Bomb after him.
• The Holy Ash Bomb followed Ka'bandha through the Warp Portal and struck his back, filling the portal with holy light.

Ron and the Thunder Custodes destroyed the Daemon invasion of Matila after the Holy Light erased the Warp portal, while a burst of Ron’s power struck the Realm of Khorne and angered the Blood God. Ka'bandha survived his defeat and, summoned before Khorne, took comfort in realizing that the Daemons feared the lingering power in his body.

• Ron led the Thunder Custodes and human warriors in slaughtering the Daemons left on Matila, and reinforcements completed their destruction.
• A Little Sun appeared near the Brass Fortress, where its Holy Light killed Khorne Daemons and alarmed the fortress’s inhabitants.
• Khorne raged at the intrusion into his realm and used a colossal axe of blood energy to block the other Chaos Gods’ gazes.
• Ka'bandha awoke badly wounded, sensed Khorne’s summons, and went to the Brass Fortress fearing punishment for his defeat and retreat.
• Ka'bandha noticed that the Daemons feared the power of The Cursed lingering in him and decided his failure might not be so shameful.

Ka'bandha deceived Khorne and the Daemons into believing he had bravely stopped a scion of The Cursed from bringing its power into their realm. Khorne restored Ka'bandha with immense slaughter energy and asked him to name the enemy.

• Ka'bandha intimidated the Daemons, pushed Ang'grath aside, and took his place before Khorne.
• Ka'bandha claimed that a powerful scion of The Cursed had trapped his army and attacked them with overwhelming force.
• Ka'bandha falsely described blocking and destroying a portal with his body, earning the Daemons' admiration.
• Khorne poured the realm's accumulated slaughter energy into Ka'bandha, cleansing The Cursed's power and healing his wounds.
• Khorne asked Ka'bandha for the name of the scion of The Cursed.

Ka'bandha hid his defeat by exaggerating The Savior's power and convincing Khorne that he was a dangerous servant of The Cursed. Khorne rewarded Ka'bandha with more legions, while Ang'grath lost troops and the daemons were left fearing the embellished image of Ron.

• Khorne questioned Ka'bandha about the enemy who had nearly killed him, and Ka'bandha began describing him as a terrifying foe called The Savior and Demon Eater.
• Ka'bandha claimed The Savior could devour Bloodthirsters and travel between the Warp and the material realm, prompting Ang'grath and the other daemons to fear or seek out the enemy.
• Ka'bandha told Khorne that The Savior was a new weapon cultivated by The Cursed, making Khorne wary and leading Ka'bandha to swear he would bring the enemy's head to the Skull Throne.
• Khorne made Ka'bandha the Supreme Bloodthirster with the most legions, while Ang'grath received nothing and lost troops to Ka'bandha.
• Ka'bandha conjured an embellished image of Ron as a towering, mist-shrouded figure in Golden Armor, surrounded by daemon corpses and eating a Bloodthirster's arm.

Ka'bandha planned to target the Blood Angels while Khorne prepared for the Imperium's attempt to revive a Primarch. After Khorne attacked Tzeentch over suspected scheming, Tzeentch examined an image of The Savior and traced clues about him through the Well of Eternity.

• Khorne placed a bounty on The Savior, while Ka'bandha decided to avoid him for now and plot revenge against the Blood Angels.
• Khorne ordered the daemons to prepare for war, fearing that a revived Primarch could reunite the Imperium.
• Khorne suspected Tzeentch had used The Cursed's power to cause trouble in his realm and attacked Tzeentch's Crystal Labyrinth.
• Tzeentch denied having acted, then began considering how to retaliate against Khorne through Ka'bandha.
• Khorne sent the other Chaos Gods an image of The Savior, and Tzeentch noticed something strange about it.
• Tzeentch searched the Well of Eternity for clues about The Savior and followed several lingering threads of causality.

After the Daemons were defeated, Ron rested while the Cleaning Squad cleared Throne Plaza and Datong cooked him a meal from Daemonic ingredients. Ron sensed that Tzeentch himself had found him, and he called on the Emperor for help.

• Ron rested after fighting Harris and slaughtering Daemons as the Inquisition, Logistics Department, Medical Sisters, and Cleaning Squad dealt with the battlefield.
• Datong hurriedly prepared Stir-fried Flesh Hound Whip and Bronze Bull Tendon before the Cleaning Squad reached his cooking spot.
• Ron praised Datong's dish and ate it to restore his energy.
• Ron sensed Tzeentch's attention and recognized the aura from his earlier glimpse of the Chaos God.
• Ron feared Tzeentch would manipulate and ruin his life, then sent his consciousness into the Warp and called, "Old man, save me!"

Ron sought the God-Emperor’s protection as Tzeentch hunted for him in the Warp, intrigued by the mystery of his origins. The God-Emperor ambushed Tzeentch when He charged toward Ron’s projection, leaving Tzeentch screaming in pain.

• Ron sensed Tzeentch’s approach and asked the God-Emperor to protect him, then moved the Little Sun closer to the Golden Sun.
• Tzeentch found that the trails leading to The Savior’s past had vanished and became determined to discover where he came from.
• Tzeentch calculated that The Savior might have come from a higher-dimensional place, but feared that a greater being was controlling his fate.
• Tzeentch tracked The Savior’s projection through the Warp and charged toward it despite a warning of danger.
• The God-Emperor’s Golden Sun struck Tzeentch with Holy Light, and Ron watched from behind it as Tzeentch cried out in agony.

The God-Emperor unleashed ten millennia of rage against Tzeentch, burning away his iridescent avatar and badly injuring his true body while the other Chaos Gods watched from afar. After destroying the avatar, the Golden Sun sensed the distant Chaos Gods and turned its Holy Light toward them.

• The God-Emperor’s fury flared as Ron witnessed the Golden Sun pour Holy Light into Tzeentch’s avatar.
• Tzeentch begged the other Chaos Gods for rescue, but they stayed far away and watched in silence.
• Ron recalled Tzeentch’s past harm to Earth Planet and felt satisfaction as the Golden Sun’s energy scorched the avatar and damaged Tzeentch’s true body.
• Tzeentch’s iridescent avatar dispersed amid his cries, and the Golden Sun sensed the Chaos Gods watching from a distance.
• The Golden Sun unleashed another blast of Holy Light toward the Chaos Gods hiding far away.

Ron survived the Chaos Gods’ attack with help from the God-Emperor, whose Golden Sun improved after the battle. Meanwhile, Tzeentch remained badly injured, and the Chaos Gods spread warnings about The Savior throughout their domains.

• The Chaos Gods dispersed their avatars after the Golden Sun’s blast, and Ron thanked the God-Emperor for protecting him.
• Ron worried that the God-Emperor’s growing faith power could cause catastrophe and planned to extract more energy from the Golden Sun.
• Tzeentch lay incapacitated in the Crystal Labyrinth as Holy Energy sickened him, while Khorne, Slaanesh, and Nurgle came to inspect his condition.
• Tzeentch shared information about Little Sun with the other Chaos Gods, who recognized it as The Savior’s Warp projection.
• The Chaos Gods distributed The Savior’s portrait and warned their Daemons to flee from the Demon Eater.

In Slaanesh’s Palace of Pleasure, Fulgrim saw that his master was captivated by the portrait of the newly risen Savior, Demon Eater. Jealous and threatened, Fulgrim vowed to find and destroy him.

• A blond youth in Slaanesh’s Ring of Lust succumbed to a queenly daemon and transformed into a Chaos monstrosity.
• Fulgrim prepared himself to meet Slaanesh while Lucius the Undying’s revelry splashed liquid onto his face.
• Fulgrim angrily cut Lucius into pieces, but Lucius quickly regenerated and continued enjoying himself.
• Fulgrim noticed Slaanesh gazing at a portrait of the Savior, Demon Eater.
• Fulgrim grew jealous and swore to destroy the Savior and erase his soul before he could win Slaanesh’s favor.

Slaanesh recognized Ron as the former believer who had escaped Their realm and vowed to capture him, while Nurgle prepared to welcome him and Khorne continued seeking his death. Ron returned to Matila after the crisis, but a strange sensation struck him before he could relax.

• Slaanesh remembered Ron escaping the Palace of Slaanesh, recognized him as the Savior, and resolved to personally tempt and capture him when he emerged into the Galaxy.
• Nurgle called the Savior a good child and prepared plagues for the day he embraced rot and disease, while Ku'gath and Rotigus welcomed the prospect of a new family member.
• Khorne maintained the bounty on the Savior, and a Greater Daemon mistook a fringe world's prayer for a trick by Ron and destroyed its ritual passage and worshippers.
• Ron returned to Matila's Throne Plaza after the crisis and felt a strange sensation before he could relax.

Ron discovered that his body had grown taller, more handsome, and physically stronger after the Little Sun absorbed energy from the Warp. He learned that the Little Sun had gained offensive and devouring abilities, then ordered Datong to grill Bronze Bull Tendon.

• Ron asked Datong whether he had noticed any changes in Ron, and Datong said Ron had become more handsome.
• Ron’s body finished changing, and he used his Psyker Power senses to confirm that he had grown to 2.5 meters and become much stronger.
• Ron smashed a heavy tank with a punch and realized the Little Sun’s energy had caused his transformation.
• Ron discovered that the Little Sun had gained offensive power, a weak devouring trait, and stronger cleansing abilities after absorbing Warp energy.
• Ron attributed the changes to Tzeentch’s residual influence, unaware that stories about The Savior, the Demon Eater, were shaping the Little Sun.
• Ron’s appetite surged, and he told Datong to grill more Bronze Bull Tendon.

After Earth Planet’s forces captured Matila, Ron reflected on the dangers of the battle and resolved to strengthen his forces while keeping a low profile. He reviewed the heavy casualties and looked ahead to rebuilding Throne Plaza for a grand ceremony in ten days.

• Ron praised Datong’s Daemon-meat cooking and ordered part of the meat sealed for future use.
• Ron reviewed how Ka'bandha’s arrival had made the battle dangerous, and decided to produce more Holy Ash Bombs while improving Earth Planet’s overall strength.
• Ron resolved to stay out of the spotlight, build up Earth Planet as a powerful bastion, and let his armies handle future battles.
• The last Storm Army Group troops withdrew from Throne Plaza, confirming Ron’s victory and control of Matila.
• Tako reported the battle’s casualties and equipment losses to Ron, who fell silent as he considered the cost of the war.
• Ron saw crews repairing Throne Plaza for a grand ceremony scheduled ten days later.

On Matila Return Day, Isila and her child joined the planet’s celebration after the Tyrant’s fall, and Ron prepared to declare Matila’s return and assume the role of sector Governor. As the people offered him their gratitude and loyalty, Ron felt their emotions converge and the Little Sun grow, giving him the greatest surge of Power of Hope yet.

• Isila woke in terror after missing work, but she calmed herself with the Codex of Redemption and remembered that The Savior had ended the executions and given workers a day off.
• Isila and her child prayed over their free meal, then she reassured him that the explosions outside were ceremonial cannon fire and prepared to take him to the community plaza.
• Isila and her child joined the crowds celebrating Matila Return Day, where they saw brightened streets and learned that The Savior would build schools and might send gifted children to an academy in the Holy Land.
• At Throne Plaza, Bishop Dony led the blessing ceremony as officials, military commanders, nobles, and Resistance Army leaders gathered to witness Ron’s appearance.
• Ron ascended to the platform, and a vast virtual image of The Savior addressed Matila’s people before the planet erupted in cheers.
• Ron felt the gratitude and loyalty of Matila’s more than eighty billion people flow into him as the Little Sun expanded and his Power of Hope surged.

Ron discovered that the Power of Hope had altered his Blessing, making it safer for humans and allowing a second Blessing that greatly strengthened them, while also enabling him to bless nonhuman life with mutations. After taking control of Matila and declaring himself sector Governor, he ordered Earth Planet made the Goli Sector capital and went to visit Carter to test his new power.

• The Power of Hope changed Ron’s Blessing, reducing the danger of its first use on humans and allowing him to perform a powerful second Blessing, while blessings on nonhuman life caused mutations.
• Ron resumed his ceremony speech, announced that he would govern the sector, and revealed a divine spectacle that sparked cheers across Matila.
• After the celebration, Ron told Bayev that Earth Planet would replace Matila as the Goli Sector capital and receive the sector’s resources.
• Ron returned to the Dreamer and went to visit the recovering Carter, eager to test the second Blessing.

Ron granted Carter a second Blessing, greatly increasing his combat power, then blessed several other elite warriors. He turned his attention to the Heavy Genestealers, preparing to see what a Blessing would do to them.

• Ron visited Carter in the medical bay and offered him the chance to receive a second Blessing.
• Carter prayed to Little Sun in the Meditation Chamber, and Ron granted the Blessing, transforming him into a 2.8-meter-tall warrior.
• Carter defeated Duke, Pulu, and Datong in a group duel, demonstrating an increase in combat power of at least eighty percent.
• Ron granted second Blessings to Duke, Pulu, Datong, and Ari, strengthening his elite fighters.
• Ron gathered several Heavy Genestealers in the Dreamer's lower-deck pipelines and prepared to bless them.