The Victory Won by the Sons of Nimrod Was Horus's First Major Defeat

The private quarters of the Imperial Palace are protected by all known technologies and Psionic Energy arts mastered by the Imperium of Man, ensuring that conversations within remain unknown to outsiders.

Chagatai Khan's sharp eyes were fixed on Makado and Rog Dorn.

When will I be able to see my father?

"I'm sorry, but of you, only Vulkan stands beneath the Throne," Malcador said.

Dorn glanced at the Sigillite; throughout Terra, he was the only one who had been communicating with his father.

"Corax and I only saw the incarnation of our father."

"Only once."

"I rushed back as fast as I could—" Jaghatai's lips curled into an Affliction smile.

His connection with Chogoris, his three closest friends— Qin Xia died in battle, Yesugei Togutai Hasik who were cowardly abandoned by him.

What should we do?

Dorn activated the holographic projection of the Milky Way. "The storm still isolates the Eastern Galaxy; we have completely lost contact with Nimrod, Guilliman, and Sanguinius."

"The three Astronomican have been lit, illuminating the northern, western, and eastern parts of the Galaxy," Malcador said.

"Vostonia," Jaghatai said.

"I used Nimrod Homestead during my return to Terra."

"But this voyage was more difficult than I had anticipated; we were attacked by Devil."

7

Seeing that neither his father, the Sigillite, nor the rock-solid Dorn refuted him, he continued.

"This journey was far more difficult than I had imagined."

"I shouldn't have come directly; I should have sought the Simian Field of the Shadow of Order."

Revuel Avida collapsed at the end of the journey and has not yet regained consciousness.

Malcador's eyes gleamed. "The south, in Varia Superior, will aid Corax's operations."

"In the west, in Xana, Lion's journey back to Terra will be easier."

Dorn illuminated three worlds. "Nimrod's homeland, and his allies."

"Without a doubt, this was done by Nimrod or his sons."

"Why wasn't Terra activated? Terra is the crucial core."

Malcador recalled Nimrod's reaction to taxation and the world he valued in "The Shadow Monarch".

[Nimrod might not think that way.]

He considered for a moment, then spoke in a concise way that Dorn could understand.

"Terra is affected by the Warp, making it more difficult to reignite the Astronomican than to light up any other world."

Dorn frowned, unable to understand why Terra was harder to light up in the same world.

He could not comprehend the Warp like Nimrod and Magnus, nor even as well as Jaghatai, who was on the fringes of the Imperium, and Russ, who opposed Psionic Energy.

In order to win this war, he was forced to secretly assemble Librarian and recruit ordinary Psyker.

"Nimrod has won a crucial battle," Jaghatai said.

"Horus and Fulgrim's offensive against Colonid has been repelled."

"They repelled them?" Dorn pressed.

The Colonid Sector only has one Chapter, "Shadow of Order." Flamini is neither the Imperial Fists, known for its defense, nor the rebellious Death Guard and Iron Warriors.

Flamini developed the Colonid Sector into a prosperous star district, but without any remarkable achievements.

He's more like Guilliman, good at domestic affairs than defense; how could he possibly withstand an offensive from two legions?

"Indeed, I saw five Ramillies-class Star Fortress and a Rangdan Artificial War Satellite at Carium Gate. We may have underestimated the defensive capabilities of Colonid."

Dorn shook his head. "They're too poorly maneuverable; Horus and Fulgrim will bypass them."

"The Carium Gate can also rapidly project the Shadow of Order, and Nimrod may possess defensive mechanisms we are unaware of."

Dorn's eyes were deep, and a series of conjectures flashed through his mind.

Nimrod led six Chapter to conquer the Gordian League, and the remaining six Chapter must have been committed to the defense of Colonid.

"The victory won by the Sons of Nimrod is Horus's first major defeat, and this will be a turning point for the Imperium." A long-lost smile appeared on Malcador's face.

Dorn felt the heavy weight on his shoulders ease a little.

"The Shadow of Order will force traitors to split their forces."

" With Horus striking hard, we'll face fewer enemies."

"Now we can finally slow Horus down, and if luck is on our side, we might even be able to stop him before he reaches Terra."

He raised his hand and pointed to the star map, and the holographic image magnified accordingly.

"Seven major Warp routes converge at Beta-Garmon, the only way to Terra."

"We have deployed over two hundred Titan Transport Ship in Beta-Garmon; their unleashed fury will destroy the traitors."

"We cannot allow traitors to ascend Terra; a war of this scale would destroy the Throne World."

Khan stared at the holographic star map, feeling the hunter's legs being bound tightly.

"You always like to fight these defensive wars, but I don't."

"Horus might abandon Beta-Garmon and flank us from the side."

"That will take up a lot of his time, and we will use that time to strengthen Terra's defenses."

At the same moment that Jaghatai and Dorn were debating defensive strategies, he boarded the warship, the Spear of Heaven, and boarded it on the lower deck of Terra.

The Stormseer took turns standing guard beside Revuel Avida, whose body lay in the center of an etched circle, surrounded by a brazier lit by Chogoris incense.

Avida remained clad in his red armor, which no one could remove.

The Stormseer couldn't even remove the black book hanging from his waist.

The book was stuck to the armor, as if it were an extension of it.

Fine powders of ochre and reddish-brown were sprinkled on the Plasteel armor, depicting sacred patterns to ward off the darkness.

Incense swirled around his frail figure, bathed in the dim light of the charcoal fire. Fine powder, sprinkled on his Plasteel armor, in shades of earthy yellow and reddish-brown, depicted sacred patterns to ward off the darkness.

The Stormseer inscribed Chogoris's protective runes on their red armor and chanted ancient prayers in the Khorchin Language day and night to drive away the Yakshas.

The chanting continued, accompanied by ever-present swirling smoke and the aroma of holy oil.

The chanting that continued day and night soothed the horrific mutation, but Avida's body continued to convulse.

Oso K listened to the suffocating sounds coming from within the breathing grille, "We can't stop it, the mutation will soon return."

"Togutai might have a way; he is the best and greatest among us," Naranbaatar said.

A mournful melody filled the air between the two Stormseer.

"It's back." Oso K picked up the Copper Bowl of Will and grabbed a handful of soil from the Chogoris Plain, which had been personally blessed by Togutai.

He crouched down, and the Plasteel's curves expanded again, as if massive flesh and blood were pushing it up from beneath, trying to break free of the armor's restraints. He smeared dirt on Avida's breastplate. "Guess how long he's been enduring this?"

"Perhaps he can keep it a secret forever; at least I never found out before."

Naranbaatar thought for a moment, "Yesugei have discovered it."

They fell silent again until the soft click of the door lock broke the silence of their sorrow.

"Who?" Naranbaatar asked.

Oso K gripped his Force Staff tightly, primal Psionic Energy power flashing as he stared at the dark-skinned Terra.

He is not Astartes.

"State your identity and purpose."

The man raised his arms to indicate that he was not carrying any weapons.

"Lemuel Gaumon."

"Chosen by Malcador."

"The Sigillite has received the result of the divination."

Oso K gripped the Force Staff tightly. "He's one of us. Even if the Sigillite wants to kill him, we will never agree."

"No." Lemuel shook his head.

"My lords, you have misunderstood."

He gazed at the Flesh Mutation Thousand Sons, "He is ill."

"You cannot cure him, Sigillite would be more than happy to help him."

Believe me, he doesn't want you to let him die like this.

"How did you get on this ship?" Naranbaatar asked.

"A mere, insignificant trick, and the Sigillite has a reason for choosing me."

He lowered his arms. "If you still have doubts, you may come with me to the Imperial Palace."

"The Sigillite is currently meeting with Lord Jaghatai, but he will make time to see you."

"He is crucial to the Sigillite; we all hope he survives."

Oso K extinguishes the power field, "Why does the Sigillite need him?"

Lemuel looked at Avida, "We've been waiting for him."

"Now, he's finally here."