On the surface of Chagualsa, Alpharius's battle boots stepped onto the Black Mica Desert.
He raised a hand, and dust from the weathered, eroded ruins of gigantic midnight obsidian drifted up and brushed past his fingertips.
In the dim starlight, shadows stretched into pitch-black bat wings.
"Nimrod has arrived. Begin the ritual at once. I will descend and lead you to victory."
Alpharius stared at the spreading shadows. "Bring those Warriors forward."
He turned his head toward a Word Bearers Chaplain holding a crimson blade. "Begin."
The Word Bearers Chaplain strode up to a captive with his right arm severed and grabbed his head.
The Warrior's eyes widened, bloodshot as he watched the blade swing down.
Splat!
Blood sprayed everywhere.
The Word Bearers raised the head high and walked along the ground.
The Chaplain moved neither quickly nor slowly, every stride identical.
Blood dripped onto the earth, outlining Runes Alpharius had never seen before.
Alpharius watched the evil Runes drawn in blood as head after head was piled into eight layers at the center they encircled.
Eight layers formed an octagonal outline, and the Word Bearers Chaplain stepped into the middle.
"Blood for the Blood God, skulls for the Skull Throne!"
"The eightfold path, the blood road is complete!"
"Eight steps of blood, welcome your descent!"
Boom, boom—
One head after another ignited from thin air, outlining a hazy gate.
"The skulls of the defeated adorn my armor, and their strength has been granted to me along with them!"
A piercing scream rang in Alpharius's ears as he stared at the slowly forming gate.
Konrad Curze stood with his arms folded, his long claws scratching his pale face. A river of blood churned in his black eyes.
"Every soul that dies falls into Chaos's hands, piled into a Skull Throne