Lava City.
Great Sage Koriel Zeth stood atop the Forge Temple's high platform, gazing at the darkness swirling in the north.
Magos Apprentice Cant Polk walked up behind her. "Mentor, I've allocated power to the auspex array."
"The observing magi have given it their all, but no matter what methods they use, they cannot detect what has happened to Ipluvien Maximal's forge city."
"I obtained the complete record of his communications with Arkan Land and Cavaliero within Thought Space."
Koriel was a senior Great Sage in the Adeptus Mechanicus's new field of Thought Space. She could obtain any information that had left traces within it.
Her magos apprentices were spread throughout the Imperium, including Thought Space established by Andermung in the distant southern heartland of Ultramar. Even Ur-Kha-Hurst, the presiding magos there, had been dispatched by her.
"Arkan created the darkness, giving Ipluvien and the Storm God-Machine an opportunity to retreat."
"This is the first time I have seen darkness in the never-ending furnace."
"Great Sage Arkan's ability was remarkable." Polk recalled the terrifying scene with the Mechanic Assassin not long ago.
"I think that if it had been even a nanosecond later, my core engine would have been destroyed by her."
"I—would have been remade into an unconscious Servitor and continued serving you."
"Remarkable?" Koriel repeated.
"The fear of death has seized your rational thinking."
"Do not forget the core principle I taught you."
"There is no God of All Machines, nor is there an Omnissiah," Polk said slowly.
"Any mystery can be explained and understood."
"Mentor, if that is so, why do we not accept Arkan's proposal and meet Lord Nimrod?"
"You could personally uncover every mystery."
"That would mean abandoning Lava City," Koriel said.
"I have expended countless efforts and resources to build this city."
"Now, it