Fulgrim's gaze lingered briefly on the Fireblade, purple phantoms and gray sorrow flickering alternately in his eyes.
A moment later, he looked away and picked up Skull-Crusher.
With the Laer Blade and Skull-Crusher at his waist, Fulgrim approached Akurduana. "My son, it is time to make your choice."
Akurduana heard a strange hissing mixed into his father's voice, as though venomous serpents were coiled in his throat and speaking alongside him.
He recalled the Black Emperor's warning and the mission of the oracle.
"I understand."
"I will hunt down the Iron Hands."
As he spoke, Akurduana walked to Ferrus Manus's headless body. He picked up the Fireblade along with the Silver Hand gripping it, then strode away.
Fulgrim stared intently at Akurduana and the Fireblade in his hand, two voices twisting and clashing like serpents within his mind.
"The Fireblade was forged for me by Ferrus. It is also my trophy."
"You no longer need it. You are completely different from the person you once were. You should not cling to the past any longer. Forget Ferrus."
"Look at your beloved son." Purple-lit eyes gazed at Akurduana's departing back.
"You exhausted every means in the past, yet he remained unmoved."
"Now Akurduana has submitted to your perfection. Countless trillions upon trillions will follow in your footsteps as well."
"You should have embraced Chaos long ago."
Fulgrim's sorrowful tears scattered upon the wind as he let out a pleased whisper.
"No!"
"I am still not perfect enough. You know that. I am only one final step away."
Akurduana followed the remnants of the Iron Hands into the valley, then came to a halt.
He said to Lavash Kallio of the Palatine Blades beside him, "Take these back to the ship and place them in my armory."
Akurduana knew that he absolutely