A beam of light fell from the heavens, piercing Isstvan V's atmosphere.
The blinding light spread relentlessly, covering the entire Ugor Highlands.
Thunderous explosions tore through the plateau's outer defenses, roaring as they consumed everything.
On the ridge's fortifications, shrill alarms rang out.
Amid the piercing wails, Akurduana, lord commander of the Emperor's Children, examined the crimson runes rising across his tactical display.
The Legion's defenses, built around a Xenos Fortress, were flawless. They sheltered the Warmaster's army.
He looked around, his gaze passing over his beautiful father before settling on the Warmaster at the center of the observation post.
Horus Lupercal smiled as the sky darkened once more. Thousands upon thousands of Drop Pods screamed through the atmosphere, plunging straight toward the planet's surface.
"My friends, remember this day well."
"The Emperor's loyalists are marching toward their doom!"
Angron roared, like a beast breaking free of its chains.
Fragments of the gate scattered everywhere as he charged into the unending blaze, vanishing into the smoke in an instant.
"It is time to meet our old friends." Fulgrim's silver hair fluttered around him.
Strange warriors clad in Mark IV Power Armor followed in the Primarch's wake. Bareheaded, their chins stretched to horrifying lengths, and they wore elongated masks of dead men's faces.
Akurduana followed silently. He looked down toward the foot of the ridge, where thousands of Astartes fought fiercely, tidal waves of firepower washing over one another.
Dozens of runes vanished every second.
A towering giant strode through the mad vortex of battle.
Ferrus Manus led the veterans of Clan Avernii into the trench complex.
Ferrus swung a gleaming fist, smashing an Emperor's Child to the ground. His ornate purple-and-gold armor burst apart with a bang.
He raised an arm, and his ornate pistol spat a devastating round, blasting