Chapter Summaries

The Wings of Dawn forces defeated Nurgle’s Greater Daemons and withdrew after achieving their tactical objective, despite losing thirteen thousand warriors. As Corvus Corax carried the wounded Kayvaan Shrike, he told him that their victory had won them the future.

• Karna and the Imperial forces drove back the plague daemons, while Grey Knights and elite Kill Teams fought through the enemy ranks.
• Karna and the Grey Knights killed the Lord of Tear Plague and the Lord of Dengue Fever, and Karna felled seven more Greater Daemons.
• The Wings of Dawn forces withdrew to defensive positions after losing thirteen thousand brothers, leaving flames to consume the dead and destroy the Green Nest.
• Corvus Corax carried the wounded Kayvaan Shrike away from the battlefield and promised to do everything he could to keep him alive.
• Kayvaan Shrike asked what they had won, and Corvus Corax answered that they had won the future.

Vashtorr withdrew his Iron Plagues and pressed Abaddon and Typhus to help bring the Three Artifacts together while the Wings of Dawn threatened the Chaos Gods. Abaddon planned to tear open a new wound in the Maelstrom and claim its surrounding regions, while Vashtorr focused on drawing the Dark Angels’ Rock Fortress to the fragments of Caliban he had gathered.

• Vashtorr withdrew the Iron Plagues he had planted in weapons across the Dawn Sector and checked that no ravens or shadows were nearby.
• Typhus told Vashtorr that he would no longer attack Forge Worlds on Nurgle’s orders, while Abaddon listened.
• Vashtorr showed Abaddon and Typhus a star map and told them to draw the Dark Angels’ Rock Fortress to a marked location.
• Abaddon resolved to launch a new campaign in the Maelstrom, tear open another wound in Realspace, and claim the cut-off regions for himself.
• Vashtorr stared at the fragments of Caliban he had collected over ten thousand years.

The returning forces withdrew from Nurgle’s daemon realm and began repairs and reassignment at the Soul Forge, while Eldrad Ulthran and Trazyn discussed the Aeldari, Isha, and the galaxy’s uncertain future. Ramesses then prepared to meet Romulus as the battle-worn warriors returned, with the story leaving them poised for the true resolution.

• The forces returned through the Soul Forge’s gates, where the Titans were docked for repairs and the warriors awaited evaluations and new assignments.
• Eldrad Ulthran watched the Bonesingers repair the Titans and questioned Trazyn about taking Aeldari Titans without permission.
• Ulthran told Trazyn that he had reported clues about Isha and Leman Russ, and said he intended to leave the Aeldari’s future choices to time.
• Ramesses challenged Trazyn’s confidence in the Necrons, then took Corvus Corax to the Tower of Dominion to prepare an online meeting with Romulus.
• The warriors marched back through the guarded passageway as the Dawn Guard and workers watched their return, while the narration indicated that the true resolution was still to come.

Drakus approached the enormous warship at the Dawn Star port, where Tribune Korken offered to accompany him. Korken’s thoughts revealed how the Custodes who came to the Dawn Sector had been forced to repay their debts through administrative work, and he remained bitter toward Romulus.

• Drakus walked through the crowded port, greeting and encouraging the soldiers and officers waiting there.
• Tribune Korken bumped into Drakus while carrying reports, and Drakus asked what he could do for him.
• Korken said he would accompany Drakus and reflected on how the Dawn Sector made its Custodes work to repay their debts.
• Korken resented Romulus for trapping him and the other Custodes in administrative jobs instead of letting them serve the Emperor.

Drakus returned to Romulus’s busy command office as the Dawn Sector awaited the outcome of the coming conflict. A Custodian was shaken by a newly published book exposing the Ten Thousand’s past failures, while Romulus and his staff stayed ready for the threat hidden near Dawn Star.

• Drakus returned to Romulus’s office and saw records listing the dead, missing, and displaced from the conflict.
• Tribune Korken read the book On the Emperor’s Custodians, then silently left after confronting how the Ten Thousand had failed the Emperor’s expectations.
• Drakus helped Romulus review statistics and reports that guided the Dawn Sector’s wars, deployments, logistics, and security.
• Romulus admitted that the office was waiting for events to unfold, and Drakus said he was glad not to be the only one feeling nervous.
• A familiar voice mocked Nurgle’s followers and urged the Dawn Fleet to clear out their forces.

Lufgt Huron struggled to coordinate the Maelstrom’s defenses as Chaos, Orks, and Tyranids threatened it from every direction. After contact with the Dawn Sector finally came through, its garbled message prompted him to request access.

• Lufgt Huron inspected Badab’s defenses, issued orders to allied forces, and recruited an Imperial official to help strengthen the defense line.
• Huron reviewed the many fronts surrounding the Maelstrom and sent rapid recruits and Auxilia to reinforce the Octarius war.
• At Heber Fortress, Huron ordered contact with the Dawn Sector and directed officers to assess losses, protect priority planets, and evacuate civilians.
• Huron’s staff reported that Tyranids had disrupted psychic communications and that the Octarius defense line had suffered severe casualties.
• The Adeptus Astra Telepathica established an unclear link to the Dawn Sector, and Huron recognized the garbled message as genuine and requested access.

Huron learned that Romulus was sending two fleets to aid the Maelstrom while the main force went to Macragge to prepare for Guilliman’s return. As Huron rallied the defense, the Dark Angels learned of the sudden developments and wondered whether to save The Rock.

• Romulus told Huron that Guilliman was about to return and that the Wings of Dawn’s main force would head to Macragge instead of the Maelstrom.
• Arthur explained that Ulthran had agreed to retrieve Ynnead’s Chosen and seek the Sword of Silent Screams, while Ramesses would protect her soul and the Wings of Dawn would secure Ulthwé.
• Romulus reviewed the galaxy’s worsening crises and said the Wings of Dawn could offer no further help to the Maelstrom until Guilliman’s return was secured.
• Huron agreed to hold the Maelstrom, and Heber Fortress began mobilizing its defenses and transport arrays.
• Azrael and a group of Dark Angels prepared to report their mission, while Kai asked whether they should save The Rock.

The Dark Angels learned that Naberius had been captured and the Rock Fortress was under threat from several enemy forces, forcing them to confront the past they had spent decades trying to escape. Azrael and the old warriors reached the Lord of Knights, who would decide how they would respond to the Lion’s return.

• Naberius was captured by a Night Lords Daemon Prince, while the Black Legion, Nurgle’s forces, and the Dark Mechanicum pressured the Rock Fortress.
• Zabriel, Efka, Lohoc, Kai, Gareth, and Gallad walked with Belial and Azrael through the Silent Vow, dreading the Rock Fortress and the prospect of the Lion’s return.
• Kai’s question stirred old grievances, and the veterans argued over whether to welcome the Lion or destroy the Rock before Azrael reminded them that only His Highness could decide.
• Azrael resolved that the legion’s old atmosphere of suspicion and violence could not return as the group entered the hall and found the Lord of Knights speaking with his brother.

Arthur and the Wings of Dawn decided to divide their forces to respond to threats near Macragge and the Segmentum Obscurus. Corvus Corax accepted responsibility for guarding the Warp and formally joined the Wings of Dawn before they set out.

• Azrael warned Arthur and Ramesses that the fleet could not guarantee stopping enemy boarding assaults without Primarch-level support.
• Romulus proposed that he and Karna lead the main force to Macragge while Arthur and Ramesses went to the Segmentum Obscurus, with Corvus Corax guarding the Warp.
• Corvus Corax accepted the mission, and Ramesses persuaded Arthur to hold a formal induction ceremony for him.
• Arthur and the others administered the Wings of Dawn's oath to Corvus Corax, who swore loyalty and accepted his new role.
• The Wings of Dawn welcomed Corvus Corax and the five leaders departed to carry out their responsibilities.

Vashtorr prepared to use the Plague Heart and Tuchulcha Engine to reunite the Three Artifacts and seize Caliban from ten thousand years in the past. Meanwhile, Arthur and Ramesses traveled through the Webway toward the Rock Fortress, where they encountered Ulthran and Trazyn fleeing with Crystal Farseers.

• Vashtorr used simulations and the Plague Heart to plan the forced reunion of the Three Artifacts, hoping to reach Caliban and kill the Lion in the past.
• Abaddon distrusted Vashtorr’s confidence, while Typhus questioned whether the Wings of Dawn would attack as Vashtorr expected.
• Arthur and Ramesses traveled through the Webway with the Wings of Dawn fleet, passing a cleared Pirate settlement and discussing the route and its strategic value.
• Ramesses spotted Ulthran and Trazyn emerging from a side passage while carrying Crystal Farseers and fleeing for their lives.

Ulthran and Trazyn fled Biel-Tan forces while carrying the Crystal Farseers, and Ulthran explained that Farseer Biel had arranged to leave with him. A Biel-Tan Farseer attacked Ulthran in the Webway, but an unseen voice intervened as the attack missed.

• Biel-Tan’s war leader led Warlocks, Striking Scorpions, and other troops in pursuit of Ulthran and Trazyn, demanding the return of Farseer Biel and Farseer Tantia.
• Ulthran told his pursuers that Farseer Biel had asked him to take her away and put her to the best possible use.
• The Biel-Tan Farseer accused Eldrad Ulthran of betraying his people and used a spell to disrupt his soul, but Ulthran was unaffected.
• Ulthran took the Hyper-dimensional Rubik’s Cube from Trazyn, and the Biel-Tan Farseer shattered Trazyn before charging at Ulthran.
• Ulthran blocked the Farseer’s Witchblade, but an unseen voice spoke, and the Farseer’s next attack struck empty air.

Ramesses arrived in the Webway and confronted Ulthran and a Biel-Tan force, taking their Khaine blade and offering them a lesson in benevolence. Ulthran explained that he had launched the operation to find Yvraine, and the chapter ended with Ramesses commenting on Commorragh’s urban sprawl.

• Ramesses arrived after Ulthran’s distress message and greeted him beside the shattered Trazyn.
• Ramesses severed the Biel-Tan Farseer’s connection to his body and told Ulthran to say thank you.
• The Biel-Tan force discovered that Ramesses had taken their crimson greatsword containing a fragment of Khaine.
• Ramesses gave Ulthran a copy of the Book of Saintly Words to spread among the Aeldari.
• Ulthran explained that he had used the large operation to locate Yvraine through her relatives in Commorragh.
• Ramesses remarked that Commorragh was too urbanized, and Ulthran agreed.

A Biel-Tan Autarch returned from Commorragh transformed by the Lord of Formlessness, and he summoned Phoenix Lord Far-Seer to meet Ramesses. The Phoenix Lord pledged loyalty to Ramesses, while Ulthran urged Trazyn to help the Aeldari move quickly and prepare for their future.

• The Autarch returned to Biel-Tan displaying unrestrained emotion and told Phoenix Lord Far-Seer that Eldrad wanted him to meet the Lord of Formlessness.
• The Autarch revealed that the Lord of Formlessness had chosen the Aeldari and promised they could escape darkness by serving him.
• Ramesses asked the Phoenix Lord whether he would obey his orders, and the Phoenix Lord pledged loyalty to him.
• Trazyn questioned why Ulthran wanted to rename the Phoenix Lords as Lords Solar, while Ulthran explained that the Aeldari needed to act quickly and handed Trazyn an amulet for protection.

Efka struggled to hold the Dark Angels’ divided forces together as the Plague Legion and Black Legion tightened their encirclement around The Rock. On Glenny, Typhus’s forces advanced against the Angels of Vigilance while Vashtorr’s trap continued to close; the chapter then shifted to two Aeldari Ranger Lords arriving aboard the Oathkeeper.

• Efka learned that Plague Legion forces and Space Hulks were closing on The Rock while Black Legion activity threatened another approach, and he saw that the Dark Angels’ scattered fleets could not coordinate effectively.
• Efka recalled how his faction had seized control of The Rock from Asmodai’s hardliners, but he kept Asmodai and Ezekiel under watch because an unknown person had freed Ezekiel from stasis.
• Efka told the Angels of Vigilance to defend their spaceport without air cover after learning the Angels of Redemption had abandoned their duties to pursue Fallen Angels in the Warp.
• Typhus and Abaddon assessed the slow campaign as the Plague Legion continued its assault on Glenny, where the Angels of Vigilance resisted the invaders.
• Vashtorr watched his plan take shape as Naberius, bound to the Chapter banner, stared at the encircled Rock with regret and despair.
• Two Aeldari Ranger Lords were led into the Round Table Hall aboard the Oathkeeper in the Webway.

Arthur received Aeldari Ranger intelligence and ordered reinforcements to integrate the Dark Angels Chapters before converging on The Rock, where infighting and disorganization had left many forces vulnerable. Meanwhile, Typhus’s Plague Fleet and its Titans battered a contested Hive City spaceport, pushing its defenders toward defeat.

• Illic Nightspear and the Biel-Tan Rangers reported to Arthur, who reviewed their Webway routes, the Chaos encirclement of The Rock, and enemy deployments.
• Azrael reported that Efka lacked full control of the Rock Fortress, the Lion King remained missing, and successor Chapters were divided and suffering defeats.
• Arthur judged the war had exposed which Dark Angels were unfit to remain, then ordered reinforcements to support resistance zones before converging on The Rock.
• Abaddon watched Typhus’s forces corrupt and bombard a Hive City spaceport as the Plague Fleet landed troops and machinery.
• Seven War Hound-class Titans and three Warmaster-class Titans advanced with the Plague Legion, smashing defenses and leaving the defenders near defeat.

As the Angels of Vigilance faced defeat on Glenny, Arthur and his companions raced to their aid. Arthur rallied the Knights of the Round Table to protect humanity, and their fleet reached the exit to the Glenny System.

• The Angels of Vigilance, led by Chapter Master Camael, prepared to fight on despite dwindling reinforcements and attacks by Typhus.
• Kai worried about facing the Lion, while Gareth argued that they should protect the innocent people of the Imperium regardless of their ancestors’ mistakes.
• Arthur arrived with Ramesses and addressed the Knights of the Round Table, declaring that they should protect humanity rather than broken institutions.
• The knights answered Arthur’s call with a chorus of “For humanity!” as light filled the fleet and the Glenny System exit came into view.

The Angels of Vigilance faced annihilation as Typhus and the Death Guard overran Glenny Hive City, but Cypher and Saint Celestine arrived to offer a way out. Camael refused to abandon his post and rallied the survivors to continue resisting.

• Typhus advanced on Camael and the last surviving defenders as the Death Guard flooded the Dome District and overwhelmed the city.
• Cypher attacked Typhus, while Saint Celestine held back the Plague Marines and ancient-armored Dark Angels struck the enemy from behind.
• Cypher offered to save the survivors if Camael took him to The Rock to meet the Lord of Knights, but Camael warned that he could not guarantee access.
• Camael rejected Cypher's offer to cover their retreat and declared that the Angels of Vigilance would keep fighting.
• Camael restored the communications channel and rallied the remaining defenders to continue their resistance.

As the defenders’ Void Shield collapsed, Arthur and his Legion arrived to reinforce the resistance and turn the battle against Typhus’s Death Guard. Arthur destroyed the gathered Chaos Titans, and Typhus ordered the survivors to flee as a larger army deployed.

• Typhus called in more Death Guard and Titans while Camael ordered the defenders to fall back toward the anti-air array.
• An asteroid strike and sustained bombardment overloaded the Void Shield, and Arthur restored the defenders’ machines as he told them they had fought well.
• The Legion and the Mordred Titan Legion joined the battle, while Dawn Star warships attacked the Chaos forces from orbit.
• Arthur led the Knights of the Round Table through the enemy and destroyed the Nurgle Plague Titan and the gathered Chaos Titan Legion with a devastating beam attack.
• Typhus found himself alone among the wreckage as Arthur faced the sky, and the Chaos Warmaster ordered his forces to run.

Ironwing's United Fleet and Imperial forces routed the Chaos forces at Glenny, while Abaddon ordered a retreat and abandoned Typhus on the planet. Typhus tried to summon support as his Death Guard fled, but Abaddon cut off their communication.

• Ironwing's United Fleet struck the Plague warships at the spaceport as Imperial forces and allied fleets attacked the traitor fleet from the Webway.
• Chaos commanders lost their will to fight at the sight of the knight on the surface, and Abaddon ordered the fleet to run.
• Imperial ground forces, Astartes, aircraft, and Titans advanced in coordination, overwhelming the Chaos forces across the Hive City.
• Typhus gathered his Blightlord Terminator bodyguards and used psychic power to take a cargo elevator toward safety.
• Typhus called Abaddon for support, but Abaddon ordered the Vengeful Spirit and the Plague Fleet to withdraw rather than risk the Legion.
• Abaddon cut off Typhus's communication, leaving Typhus stranded on the ground and furious that the Death Guard had been abandoned.

Typhus fled the Lord of Knights and the pursuing Dark Angels, barely escaping aboard a departing transport pod and reaching the Terminus Est. As he hurried toward the bridge, he remained unaware of the shadow closing in behind him.

• Typhus learned that the Lord of Knights was nearby and fled toward the nearest Space Elevator rather than risk being detected.
• The Dark Angels pursued Typhus as he fought through Chaos forces and boarded a transport pod as it took off.
• An Angel of Vigilance struck Typhus, but he clung to the transport pod while it came under fire and its hull was torn open.
• Typhus reached the Terminus Est, recovered his scythe, and raced toward the bridge while a shadow approached through the void.