Sotha, Pharos Mountains landing pad.
The Aquila Shuttle descended slowly, its downdraft setting the dense forest rustling.
The Honor Guard of the Ultramarines' 199th Company stood in neat formation. Their captain, Andralus, stepped forward into the gusting wind whipped up by the rotors and approached the black-armored giant with golden wings.
"Lord Nimrod, welcome."
Librarian Theo Gil frowned deeply, staring ahead with profound concern.
The marble-statue-like giant's boots struck the ground, and every member of the Honor Guard dropped to one knee.
His gaze fell upon him, gripping Theo Gil's mind like the depths of a night sky.
Every son of the Emperor was incomparably noble, but Lord Nimrod stood above them all, even above his father.
His mind was blank, his thoughts scattered.
"Andralus, I have felt your enthusiasm."
"Return to your post. I will proceed to the xenos device myself."
The deep voice brought Theo Gil back to his senses.
The Fallen Count, Nimrod, led Barabas Dantioch and the others toward the vast cave.
Great Sage Koriel Zeth gazed at that majestic back. Lord Nimrod, having set foot on Sotha, was entirely different from before.
He seemed far more majestic than before, more majestic than the mountains beneath his feet, piercing the heavens.
He was like a god walking among mortals; Sotha was no more than a grain of dust by his feet.
Koriel shook her head. There are no gods. Everything can be explained by science.
She drew upon countless stored records, reinforcing the thought in her mind.
Lord Nimrod normally restrains his transcendent aura—
Thoughtfully swaying her tendrils, she lightly tapped the Apprentice Magos Cant Polk with her staff.
Cant seemed to awaken from a dream. She lowered her head, shutting that majestic figure out of all her sensory systems and focusing on the ground beneath