Gatherman.
Fulgrim swung his ornate silver sword, cutting through blue-white armor.
The blade bit hunks of flesh from the Vengeful War Hound, and a mocking smile spread across his pale face.
"Angron thinks himself a great warrior."
"He doesn't know how to enjoy battle, doesn't know the perfect art of combat—"
"Pah!" The Vengeful War Hound spat out bloody teeth that struck the magnificent purple-and-gold armor.
"Traitor—"
The silver sword spun, and blood sprayed.
"Father."
"The Warmaster has issued an order to abandon the war in the Colonid Sector."
Drip, drip—
Fulgrim looked out over the battlefield. The blood of the Vengeful War Hounds had dyed the plains red, yet these wounded beasts were still fighting with all their might, just as they had four months ago.
No matter how many died, they stubbornly resisted.
What a long, tedious war.
But I will soon become perfect.
Perfect beyond Horus and Nimrod.
Fulgrim turned, blood dripping from his sword, and stared at Akurduana.
"Think about it. Why did he seek you out at the first opportunity? He did it to stop your killing."
"He is not wholly loyal to you. Nimrod is still in his heart."
"Kill him!"
"He will understand. He will witness me becoming perfect." Fulgrim swept his cloak aside and opened the Sonic Array channel.
"Emperor's Children, retreat."
Brilliant purple Aquila Shuttles soared into the air, and Fulgrim threw himself into a soft velvet seat.
He leisurely lifted a glass of wine from Mill World and took a sip.
"Not bad. As mellow and lingering as Byzant's. Flamini does have some talent."
Akurduana stood in silence, looking down at the battlefield below.
Purple-and-gold figures rapidly pulled away from the battlefield, with the Vengeful War Hounds snapping at their heels.
They trudged through thick, blood-red mud of flesh, and