Torrential rain poured down as tens of thousands of Imperial soldiers gathered around Delphus.
Nine days had passed since Hastur Sejanus's death, since Primarch's Attendant Maloghurst, First Company Captain Ezekyle Abaddon, and Horus Asimand, with the support of the Warrior Lodge, had sent the Warmaster into the temple of the Lodge of the Serpent.
Thunder had rumbled above the Sons of Horus for nine days.
Auxilia soldiers in uniform stood scattered about, while Remembrancers knelt in the mud.
Abaddon, Asimand, and Torgaddon stood side by side at the edge of the rippling pond before the gates.
They anxiously gazed toward the temple.
Statues of coiled serpents rested atop the stone pillars, as though lightning-serpents flickered and slithered across them.
The thunder abruptly ceased. The Sky-Ray filling the heavens vanished in an instant, and the sky became unimaginably tranquil. A Full Moon reflected upon the dark waters.
A black line suddenly appeared, dividing the gates in two.
The gates slowly opened.
The Sons of Horus held their breath. Their entire perceived world contained only the widening rift of darkness.
The gates opened completely.
Gleaming armor of white and gold emerged from the depths of darkness.
A dignified, luxurious purple cloak fluttered from Horus Lupercal's shoulders, while a golden sword forged for him by Ferrus Manus hung at his waist.
The eye sigil at the center of his breastplate blazed with fiery radiance, and the laurel wreath he wore made him look incomparably heroic.
Horus strode proudly through the gates, his powerful physique surpassing even what it had once been.
He smiled and said, "My sons, it is good to see you."
Tears streamed down Asimand's face. "Father."
Torgaddon raised his fist. "Wolf-Herder God!"
Abaddon roared, "Warmaster!"
The remaining three members of the Council of Four Kings rushed toward their father in