Two Lions Tread the Ground

Meanwhile, the Black Talon Fighters—the Dark Angels' aerial units—successfully destroyed the warp rift.

The fighters launched specially designed missiles, striking the rift's core. The rift began to contract unstably, and the purple energy pouring from within receded like a tide.

Suddenly, the rift exploded, releasing a massive energy shockwave.

An invisible ripple spread outward from the rift, warping space and bending light wherever it passed. Brief rainbow-colored radiance appeared in the void, as though the entire universe had been torn apart and stitched back together.

The shockwave swept across the asteroid's surface, throwing up vast amounts of dust and shattered stone. The Deathwing Terminators crouched low, their Power Armor stabilization systems operating at full capacity to withstand the impact.

Leona and Ezekiel stood near the center of the explosion. Their Psychic Barrier protected them, but cracks appeared across it under the force of the blast.

The energy storm lasted for roughly a minute before gradually subsiding. The rift vanished completely, leaving behind only a blackened crater.

The asteroid fragments returned to calm, though many new fissures now marred their surfaces. The Black Talon Fighters reported mission completion over the comms before returning to base.

Another Thunderhawk Transport was summoned and landed nearby.

Leona, Ezekiel, and the Deathwing Terminators boarded the aircraft. The transport's engines roared as it lifted off and headed for the Rock Fortress.

Inside the cabin, no one spoke. The tension of battle had yet to fully fade. Leona wiped down the Lion's Sword, the blood on its blade already dry. Ezekiel inspected his Force Staff, ensuring it had not been damaged.

The transport arrived at the Rock Fortress and docked at its assigned bay.

The dock was brightly lit, with technicians and Servo-skulls busily maintaining other vessels. Leona and Ezekiel stepped off the aircraft and found Lion