For the Lion King

The island-fortress trembled and cracked beneath the assault of oceanic behemoths and endless alien tides, yet somehow remained standing.

The Ash Knights and Deathwatch's superhuman combat strength formed the core of the defensive line. The orbital strikes of the Gabbro served as the key deterrent holding the battle together, while the surviving Imperial Guardsmen and noble retainers filled the gaps in the line with desperate courage.

But Chen Xi understood better than anyone that all of this was only temporary.

The Space Marines' ammunition and stamina were not inexhaustible, while the enemy's numbers showed no sign of dwindling.

The life signals emanating from the ocean depths remained vast and horrifying, as if the entire planetary sea had been transformed into a Biomass breeding ground for the Tyranid Swarm.

He stood rigidly before the command console, staring at the global battle display.

The green dots representing loyalist Imperial resistance were sparse and dim, blinking out one after another.

Most were Ministorum Cathedrals, isolated Imperial Guard fortresses, or private islands like this one that had been fortunate enough to possess heavy firepower.

Every dot that vanished meant the deaths of hundreds or thousands of those loyal to the Emperor.

Meanwhile, the crimson regions representing the Tyranid Swarm already covered more than ninety percent of the seas and major coastal zones, still spreading inland with slow but unstoppable momentum.

"Inquisitor," Auregana reported. Even her mechanical voice seemed touched by an almost imperceptible strain. "Tyranid heavy bio-artillery arrays have been detected near the island. They now pose a direct threat to the Gabbro in orbit and the Ash Knights fleet.

Our vessel has been forced to raise its orbital altitude. The frequency of orbital strikes will be greatly reduced.

The Ash Knights Chapter reports that ammunition reserves have been depleted by more than sixty